Rhetoric is defined as the art of persuasive speaking or writing. Rhetoric is one of the oldest courses of study throughout history. If you think about the time from which Rhetoric was born, it becomes obvious why its study has endured for so long.

During the time of Aristotle and Plato, mass media didn’t exist, print media didn’t exist; communication only included speech and writing. If you wanted to persuade someone, you’d have to have a knack for it. Through the utilization of Logos, Ethos, and Pathos, persuasion could become an art form.

The need for persuasion still exists, whether it is in marketing, research, or politics. We’ll never find a time when all humans are on the same page about anything; the ability to artfully persuade the masses will always be necessary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rhetoric_of_Hitler’s_%22Battle%22