Introduction to Rhetoric

Thanks to Ms. McCorkle and Language of Composition

Introduction to Rhetoric

Putting a name to something we use every day!

In the words of Aristotle…

“Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.”

We all use rhetoric every day. Whether you think about it or not, you are continuously arguing!

What is an Argument?

• What is your definition?• What makes for good arguments?• What strategies help to make arguments

effective?

One Definition

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKtI6gn9Y

Monty Python says:

“An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a

proposition.”

For this class, we will use the term claim over proposition.

First Definition!

Claim = an assertion of truth; a thesis—often (usually) contentious

• A Corolla is a type of Toyota. • The U.S. needs to drastically slash

domestic spending in order to reduce the deficit.

SIDEBAR, Your Honor!• “The U.S. needs to drastically slash domestic

spending in order to reduce the deficit” is a contentious issue.

• Yep, it is (I warned you). We will be debating some hot topics over the course of the semester.

Honesty is good; polemics are not.Disagreement is good; personal attacks are

not.Maturity is the last thing you must ALWAYS

bring to class.

You try

• With a partner, choose one of the following claims. One person should defend the claim; the other person should challenge it.– Parkway high schools should return to an 8 AM start

time.– High schools should eliminate grades.– Academic Lab should return to the previous structure.– The ACT should be the only assessment used for

colleges across the country.

The Rhetorical Triangle

Speaker

SubjectAudience

Purpose/ Aim/ Intent

Context

Subject

The writer/speaker: • evaluates what he/she knows already and needs to

know,• investigates perspectives (researches), and• determines kinds of evidence or proofs seem most

useful (supports assertions with appropriate evidence).

Audience

The writer/speaker: • speculates about audience expectations and

knowledge of subject, and• uses own experience and observation to help decide

on how to communicate with audience.

Speaker (persona)

The writer/speaker uses: 1. who they are, 2. what they know and feel, and 3. what they have seen and done to find their attitudes toward a subject and theirunderstanding of audience.

Advertising

• Unpack the following advertisement, determining speaker, audience, subject, context, and purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOjNcZvwjxI

End Day 1

Rhetorical Appeals

The writer/speaker uses different approaches to influence the audience’s attitude toward the subject. These are

1. Logos2. Ethos3. Pathos

Logos• From the Greek for “embodied thought”• An appeal to LOGIC through evidence and reasoning• The presentation of facts, statistics, credible testimony,

cogent examples• Includes counterarguments through concessions and

refutationsThe writer/speaker: • offers clear, reasonable premises and proofs,• develops ideas with appropriate details, and• makes sure readers can follow the progression of ideas.

Ethos• An appeal that shows an author’s or speaker’s character, thus

establishing his/her credibility with the audience• Appeals to ethos show a rapport and shared common value

system between speaker and audienceThe writer/speaker uses it when:• he/she demonstrates that they are credible, good-willed, &

knowledgeable and• he/she connects their thinking to the reader’s own ethical or

moral beliefs.

Audiences and speakers should assume the best intentions and most thoughtful search for truths.

Pathos

• An appeal to the audience’s emotions• Pathos begins with the connotation of the words and

images the speaker or writer presents• The writer/speaker:• draws on emotions and interests of readers and• highlights those emotions using 1) personal stories and observations to provoke audience’s sympathetic reaction and

2) figurative language to heighten emotional connections.

When Pathos goes too far…• Propaganda: A negative term for writing designed to sway

opinion rather than to present information. – Plays on the emotions of people rather than their logic

• Polemic: An argument against an idea, usually regarding philosophy, politics, or religion– Purpose is to prove to have the superior opinion by

refuting the other side—no concessions here– Often falls into personal attacks– Does whatever it takes to get the reader to accept its

opinion—exerts power over the reader.

Propaganda Posters

Schemes and Tropes – Tools for expression

• Scheme – A pattern of words or sentence construction used for rhetorical effect.– Examples: Parallel structure, alliteration, other schemes

of repetition• Trope – Artful diction; the use of language in a

nonliteral way; also called a figure of speech– Examples: Metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole,

etc. These are the stylistic tools that writers and speakers use to make their ideas more persuasive.

PRACTICE!

• Watch this clip from the movie Pride and Prejudice• As you watch, consider how rhetorically effective you

find Mr. Collins’ proposal to Elizabeth. Explain your answer in terms of subject, speaker, audience; context and purpose; and appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yEylIfDkms