| With the rapid social and cultural development of21st century, the demand of rhetoric has changed and traditional rhetoric cannot meet the trend. Rhetoric, which is a subject focusing on persuasion and argumentation, has a root in courtroom argumentation. In the past, it is the argumentation about verbal utilization and formulized pattern, dialectic thoughts and logic statement. With the changing situation in lawsuit and courtroom argumentation, a new kind of rhetoric needs to come and the traditional needs the reformation. The thesis explains the forensic rhetoric in different approaches, and introduces the application of rhetoric in courtroom argumentation, achieves a goal of comprehension, ultimately, promotes the efficiency in courtroom argumentation.Forensic rhetoric covers both rhetoric and speech act theories, and courtroom argumentation is an interactive communication among attorneys, jury, audience and judge. Forensic rhetoric not only emphasizes on relations between speaker and audience, but also the probability and argumentation; its application directly affects the efficiency of persuasion and argumentation in courtroom, and finally influences the result of judgment and justice.This thesis analyzes on the trial transcript of the O.J. Simpson Murder Case(1994-1996) with a comprehensive study, the author finds that the language the attorney applies contains the forensic rhetoric theories from audience, persuasion, communication, the strategy and techniques used in the debate efficiently influence the audience, including judge and jury. Though there are many evidences showing a negative effect to defense side, defense attorney achieves the presumption of innocence, and O.J.Simpson is freed at that time.This thesis not only offers a new method to argumentation construction, but also clarifies the reason for the introduction of forensic rhetoric, and provides the readers a rational perspective to understand courtroom argumentation. |
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