Methodology
“There is no out-of-context moment.”
Jacques Derrida, Of Grammatology (1967)
Rhetoric as an explanatory tool
What is rhetoric?
According to Aristotle, rhetoric involves communication strategies that connect the speaker’s actions (what they do), purpose (why they’re doing it), context (the situation they’re in), and outcomes (what they want to achieve). When communicating, a speaker can use rhetoric to craft their ideal message by using language, social factors, and frameworks to influence audience interpretation. At Taylor Advocacy Pros, we analyze these elements of rhetoric to determine if and how biases emerge in legal arguments and shape our criminal justice system.
What is implicit bias?
“Unspoken words are often the loudest.”
As we move through the world, we each form unconscious stereotypes and attitudes that affect our understanding, actions, and communication. These biases are often outside our awareness, and their effects can perpetuate injustice by manipulating the decision-making of speakers and listeners alike. Identifying implicit bias plays a critical role in the right to a fair trial, and the mission of Taylor Advocacy Pros.