Introduction to Rhetoric

What do Students Need to Know about Rhetoric

Defining “Rhetoric”

What do you think it means? Have you heard this term? Consider these quotations:

“Obama’s campaign is more style than substance, more rhetoric than specifics.”

“Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.”

Definition of “Rhetoric”

Rhetoric is…The art of persuading an audience

effectivelyAnalyzing all the language choices that a writer,

speaker, reader, or listener might make to make a text meaningful, powerful, or persuasive

It is around us, and we use it everyday.It is the ordinariness of rhetoric

Why do we study rhetoric?

We want to learn:1) How do great speakers use rhetorical

strategies to convince the audience

2) How can I use rhetorical strategies to convince the audience?

3) We want to understand how language can be used to persuade.

People use rhetoric when…

Politicians try to get you to vote for themLawyers try to convince a jury Companies attempt to get you to buy

something in a commercialWhen the president gives a speech When someone writes a note to a friend When you try to convince your parents to

let you go to the winter formal

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle

Speaker

Context

Purpose

Message/SubjectAudience

The 3 parts of the rhetorical triangle must complement one another.

1. Speaker/Rhetor: uses Appeal to ethos- The speaker must be credible and trustworthy

Attitude to a subject and understanding of a reader shape by

Who they areWhat they know and feelWhat they’ve seen and done

Formal v. informal languageTone

3 parts of the triangle

2. Audience: uses Appeal to pathos - Speaker must appeal to audience’s values, interests, & emotions

Speculate reader’s expectation, knowledge, and disposition

Use their own experience and observation

3 parts of the triangle

3. Subject: uses Appeal to logos – Subject is the topic. The argument about the topic must be logical

What the speaker knows already and needs to know

Investigates perspective Determines evidence or proof that seems

most useful

More on the appeals

LogosOffer clear, reasonable premise and proofDevelop ideas with appropriate detailsMake sure reader can follow progression

More on the appeals

EthosDemonstrate speaker is good-willed, credible,

and knowledgeable about subjectConnect their thinking to readers’ own ethical or

moral beliefsGood man speaking well

• Assume best intentions and most thoughtful search for truths

More on the appeals

PathosMost powerful appeal and most immediateDraw on emotions and interests of readers

Highlights them• Personal stories (anecdotes)• Provoke sympathetic reaction

Other things to consider:

Context: The time, place, and world in which the text takes place shapes how the audience understands the text. The “appropriateness” of the situation (such as timing or cultural & social norms) affects how persuasive the message is.

Purpose: What’s the point of this message? Why is the author writing this? What does he/she want you to feel, believe, or think about?

Conclusion

More important to:Recognize how figures of speech affect readers Be able to use them effectively to persuade and

communicateDon’t need to memorize the five cannon

Invention, arrangement, style, memory, deliveryConnections!

Words you work with in class withThe world around you