The concept of kairos, or suggestion that arguments should be made at “an opportune time,” is best described in the text of chapter six as “sensing the opportune [argument] time through psychological attentiveness to situation and meaning.” The practice of kairos, as I understand it, is best done through timing and paying particular attention to the news and events surrounding and shaping the details of the argument. The chapter sets the tone of understanding by noting that “kairos concerns a whole range of questions connected to the timing, fitness, appropriateness and proportions of a message within an evolving rhetorical context (Ramage 116-19).”
Recently I did some rather rigorous research to find a new laptop. I concluded this research with a budget in mind, a very specific set of required features listed, and a short list of only two brands targeted. As I reflect upon the situation that I found while shopping and eventually purchasing the laptop that I am currently using at home, I remember some interesting argument details and moments of kairos and the lack thereof. The salesperson at the first store keyed in on and found the unit that met or exceeded my required specifications and laid out price point but did this at a very inopportune time. This poor timing became obvious to him when I laid out the internet prices from the store website for the models that he had discussed and I then highlighted the significant lower prices online. Upon leaving that store frustrated and empty-handed I visited another store where I found a salesperson I will refer to as Mr. Kairos. He didn’t push, pull, or drag me anywhere but rather gathered information from me and steered me to a unit that specifically met my needs. This happened to be the same unit that was targeted at the first store. When asked about price he offered the best that he could do and asked if I had searched online for the same model at the competitor’s sites. I admitted that I did online shop and found this model elsewhere for the same price that he offered but with a small added bonus. He, just-in-time, informed me that the company with the same price and small added bonus has decided to quit business due to financial woes but hasn’t yet offered this information to the public. He then offered a similar added bonus and proof of the competitor’s bad news that I had requested. He also made it clear that I could probably wait and find the unit cheaper at the competitor’s store but may not have access to support or warranty with it. The timing of his argument sold me.
I admit this is a rather clouded representation of kairos in argument mainly because I am a poor story-teller. In my mind the kairos in arguments is obvious. With internet, technology, and time-stamping on nearly everything around, timing is available and is critical. Rebuttal and challenge in argument is definitely driven on kairos because news and timing is so widely accessible around the world today. Kairos is important and definitely adds the extra dimension in the rhetorical triangle that stresses timing. Timing in writing brings forward importance to the audience and therefore kairos equals importance.
Work Cited
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. 8th Edition. New York: Longman, 2010. Print.
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