Rhetoric Situation of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Social Media and its Impact on Pedagogy

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the rhetoric situation of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in social media. In this study, the researcher uses the rhetoric situation theory of Bitzer and Toulmin model of argumentation as a theoretical framework. The secondary data were obtained from social media (i.e., Twitter and Facebook from 15th March 2020 to 31st March 2020). Therefore, all the data were based on the current issue of COVID-19. The qualitative approach is used in this study. The findings revealed rhetoric situation led to the construction of the rhetoric message produced in social media. The rhetoric message was the subject of conversation in social media regarding COVID-19, which is produced intentionally to persuade others. Social media is responsible for the rhetorical situation today. However, rhetoric of the current situation in the pandemic COVID-19 cannot be ignored, the role of rhetorical arguments in the digital era, or better known as the digital rhetoric.