Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, which is one of the three ancient arts of discourse, along with grammar and logic. It refers to the study and uses of written, spoken, and visual language, and investigates how language is used to organize and maintain social groups, construct meanings, and persuade audiences. Rhetoric is a complex discipline with a long history, and it has a number of overlapping meanings, including the practice of oratory, the study of the strategies of effective oratory, the use of language to inform or persuade, the study of the persuasive effects of language, and the study of the relation between language and knowledge. Rhetoric is concerned with how people use symbols, especially language, to reach agreement that permits coordinated effort. The study of rhetoric trains students to speak and/or write effectively, and to critically understand and analyze discourse. Rhetoric is a fundamental building block of good education, and it teaches us the essential skills of advanced learning and higher education, such as clear thinking, good argument, and logical discussion.