Transcript of Rhetoric

Rhetoric
I. What is Rhetoric?

1. Plato: "The art of winning the soul by discourse."

2. Aristotle: "The faculty of discovering in any particular case, all the available
means of persuasion."

In Simpler Terms:

Rhetoric is the study of effective speaking and writing (also visual)

Broad term used to encompass what can be thought of as persuasive language

How and Why is it Used?

Rhetoric is used to appeal to an audience in order to win favor for one's case.
A wide range of rhetorical techniques allow one to use rhetoric effectively.

Thousands of years ago, Aristotle recognized three ways in which a writer or speaker could
appeal to his/her audience:

-ethos
-pathos
-logos
The Three Rhetorical Appeals

Ethos
Definition: Ethical appeals OR appeals based on establishing the author's credibility or authority

Why Use Ethos? Audiences respond better to those who seem trustworthy or authoritative

How is it Established?

highlight values your audience may share

"with the good Lord's blessing..."
refer to your successful track record in the relevant field
refer to researchers, doctors, etc. to lend credibility to your argument
admit mistakes: the reformed alcoholic-"trust me, I've been there."
portray a humble persona: "I'm only one person. It takes all of us..."
Pathos
Definition: The manipulation of language to evoke an emotional response from the
reader/listener; an appeal to emotion

Why use Pathos? Readers/listeners who are emotionally connected to an argument are much
more likely to support it.

How is it Used?
pictures and images are powerful transmitters of emotional appeal
Imagery, allusions, and figurative language are powerful techniques that can be used to
elicit an emotional response.
Example: These animals have been starved and abused and they need your help. For only fifty
cents a day, you can save an animals life and end its suffering.

Logos
Definition: The use of facts, statistics, and proposed solutions to appeal to reason.

Two Primary Forms of Reasoning: Inductive and Deductive

Inductive Reasoning
Drawing a general conclusion based on a number of specific examples.

i.e. noticing that every tiger you see in a particular region has black stripes and drawing the
conclusion that all tigers in the region must have black stripes

Deductive Reasoning
Drawing a specific conclusion based on general observations

Essentially, if something is true of a class of things, the truth applies to all members of that class

Syllogism-deductive reasoning based on three easy steps: a major

premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion
ex. Major premise-every wasp has a stinger. Minor premise-this insect is a wasp. Conclusion-this
wasp has a stinger.

Why Use Logos?

We are easily impressed by facts, figures, statistics, etc.
It substantiates an argument
To make complex situations palatable for the audience
Typically provides the premise for a solution
Something to remember

Logic can easily be abused (persuasive)

Ex: Major premise-Obama wants nationalized health care
Minor premise-Nazi Germany had nationalized health care
Conclusion-Obama is a nazi
--This is known as faulty reasoning, or faulty logic.

How the Three Work Together

Ethos-an argument is influenced by the author's reputation, credibility, virtue, moral worth, etc.
If the author is not credible, the audience will have no reason to listen.

Pathos-an argument is influenced by the emotions induced in the audience. The audience begins
to feel that the speaker must be right and is won over to his/her side. Emotions are need to add
weight and distinction.

Logos-the argument is enhanced by the demonstration of the case. Without logical suggestions
for a solution, the speaker more or less seems to be ranting.

Some Common Rhetorical Devices

Metonymy
Rhetorical strategy of referring to something indirectly by referencing a closely related object.
referring to business people as "suits"
all "hands" on deck
eating at the "golden arches"
worshiping the "crown"

Antithesis
Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together
Naturally pleasing because our brains categorize and create systematic relationships involuntarily
"to err is human; to forgive divine."-Pope
"one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Hypophora
Posing a question and immediately answering it
Appeals to ethos by making the speaker/writer seem more knowledgeable/credible
Anaphora
The repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or
sentences.
Purpose is to drive home a point or develop a climax (gets the crowd pumped up)
"a time to be born; a time to die, a time to plant, a time to reap... "-The Byrds

Apostrophe
Stopping in the middle of a speech to address an absent person/make an allusion
Used for dramatic effect
"Only God can help us now."
"Hello darkness my old friend"-Paul Simon

Asyndeton
omitting conjunctions between words, phrases or clauses
makes it seem as though the list goes on and is therefore not limited to the items on the list
"He was a fighter, a man, a champion, a father."
"She spent the day wondering, searching, thinking, understanding."