1
Kairos and the Rhetorical Situation Seizing the
Moment

• ENG 307
• Carmen R. Enriquez

2
Chronos vs. Kairos

• Chronos Linear, measurable time
• e.g. watches and calendars
• Kairos Situational time
• Opportunity
• A window of time during which action is most
  advantageous.

3
Kairos the GodTiming and Awareness of the
Situation is Critical
Grasp the Forelock
Practice
Fleeting times or Situations
Balance
4
Pronia and MetanioaAnticipate Opportunities and
Seize them before they Pass
Movement or Change
Metanoia hindsight
Pronoia foresight
5

• Rhetors must be aware of the issues relevance to
• The time
• The place
• The community

Look for Opportunitas, an opening.
Then You Will Find Your Kairotic Moment
6
5 CannonsActivities Rhetors perform as they
Compose

• 1) Invention
• Kairos
• Find the argument
• Develop propositions, arguments, proofs
• 2) Arrangement
• 3) Style
• 4) Memory
• 5) Delivery

7
Exploratory Questions

• Have recent events made the issue urgent?
• Do I need to show an issues urgency or make it
  relevant to the present?
• Is there opening for a new argument on a
  particular issue?
• If not can I create an opening?
• Which arguments receive more/less attention?
• Who is making these arguments?

-FIN-
8
HYPERLINKS

• http//www.voanews.com/english/2005-09-09-voa4.cfm
  
• www.redcross.org
• http//www.disastercenter.com/Tropical20Storm20-
  20Hurricane20-20Katrina.html
• http//www.hurricane2005.com/