Princeton's WordNet(2.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition: post, station(noun) the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand. a soldier manned the entrance post; a sentry station. military post, post(noun) military installation at which a body of troops is stationed.
Rhetorical criticism is the analysis of a broad range of items related to using language to have an impact on an audience. This is often but not always applied to writing, where the author intends to have a certain effect on readers.
Rhetoric is the study of effective speaking and writing. And the art of persuasion. And many other things. In its long and vigorous history rhetoric has enjoyed many definitions, accommodated differing purposes, and varied widely in what it included.