All 5 Uses

rhetoric
in
Oryx and Crake
(Auto-generated)

Applied Rhetoric†
p. 185.1

rhetoric = the use of (or study of using) words to make a point
Depending on how well he did in his Problematics courses — Applied Logic, Applied Rhetoric, Medical Ethics and Terminology, Applied Semantics, Relativistics and Advanced Mischaracterization, Comparative Cultural Psychology, and the rest — he'd have a choice between well-paid window-dressing for a big Corp or flimsy cut-rate stuff for a borderline one.†
p. 188.6
One of his term papers — for his Applied Rhetoric course was titled "Self-Help Books of the Twentieth Century: Exploiting Hope and Fear," and it supplied him with a great stand-up routine for use in the student pubs.†
p. 195.8
One of the letters was from Jimmy's old dorm roommate, Bernice, who'd cranked her rhetorical volume up considerably.†
p. 244.8 *

rhetorical = relating to the use of words to make a point
"Sounds like Applied Rhetoric 101," said Jimmy.†
p. 303.5

rhetoric = the use of (or study of using) words to make a point

Definitions:

(1) (rhetoric)
the use of (or study of using) words to make a point -- typically implying skillful use

Rhetoric is used with many connotations. "Effective rhetoric" has a positive connotation, If someone says something is "just rhetoric," they're implying that the words may make a good surface impression, but they are lacking in substance.
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)