Rhetorical Triangle

PathosReader

EthosWriter

LogosText

Ethos-Credibility as a Writer

Is the writer trustworthy? Does she treat the other side with

respect? Does he try to establish common ground

with the reader? Does she use reputable sources to

support her ideas? Does he utilize language that is

appropriate to his field or academic position?

Pathos-Emotional Appeal

How does the writer tap into the emotions of their reader?

How do they make the argument matter to readers?

What happens if an appeal is only based on emotion and nothing else? Note: Ads are particularly effective at

implementing pathos, but do they use ethos in an equally effective manner?

Logos-Logical Appeal

Does the argument make sense? Is the argument sound? Does the writer provide evidence

(examples, illustrations, analysis, outside sources, etc…) to support his claim?

What would happen if an argument was heavy on logos but didn’t employ pathos or ethos?

Basic Outline for Argument Paper

Tell us what you’re going to tell us (introduction).Tell us (body).Tell us what you just told us (conclusion).

What Not to Do: 5 Paragraph Essay

• What Is It: ▪ Introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion▪ Sample-College is good.

• Why It’s Used:▪ Logical, coherent organization▪ Great for 3 page papers, but what about 10 page papers?

Why College Professors Don’t Like It: Limits each paragraph to one major point Less time to develop each major idea▪ Solomon’s essay

Limits creativity and doesn’t encourage students to take unique audiences/circumstances into consideration

Introduction

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions: What is this? Why am I reading it? What do you want me to do?

You should answer these questions by doing the following: Set the context – provide general information about the main

idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the claims you make and support

State why the main idea is important – tell the reader why s/he should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and convincing essay people will want to read and act upon

State your thesis/claim – compose a sentence or two stating the position you will support with logos (sound reasoning: induction, deduction), pathos (balanced emotional appeal), and ethos (author credibility).

Introduction, cont.

Never start an introduction with: “Since the beginning of time, man…” BORING!

Liven it up! Tell us a story/anecdote Ask a question State a startling fact▪ Let’s look at some sample introductions

Introduction: Thesis

Thesis Statements End your introduction with your thesis Thesis/claim – compose a sentence or

two stating the position you will support with logos(logical appeal) , pathos (balanced emotional appeal), and ethos (author credibility).\

Your thesis NEEDS to address the ethicality or appropriateness of the advertiser’s approach!

Thesis, cont. Thesis Statements should be ARGUMENTATIVE—not

descriptive.  This ad portrays a sexy woman wearing very little

clothing and provocatively drinking a bottle of Evian water.

Thesis statements avoid vague language (like "it seems").

Thesis Statements should reference the ad or advertiser.

Thesis statements should be specific and focused. A strong thesis proves a point without discussing

“everything about …” ▪ Barry Bonds endorsing Cheerios represents all the

problems with the sports and marketing industries.

Thesis, cont.

Thesis statements should avoid the first person. ("I believe," "In my opinion")

Thesis statements should pass the So what? or Who cares? Test Would your most honest friend ask why he should care or

respond with "but everyone knows that"? For instance, "Marketers should not target children in alcohol

or cigarette ads," would be unlikely to evoke much opposition. Also, be careful attacking the “sex sells” method of

advertising. It’s hard to make any new or interesting arguments against this tactic.

In groups, pretend you are Jack Solomon; create a thesis statement that reflects your position on one of the ads mentioned in “Masters of Desire”

Body: Elements of a Paragraph

Unity The entire paragraph should concern itself with a

single focus. If it begins with one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within different ideas.

Coherence Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph

easily understandable to a reader. A topic sentence

A topic sentence indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the paragraph is going to deal with.

Can be placed anywhere, but it’s best to put at beginning of paragraph

Body: Elements of a Paragraph, cont.

Adequate development The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be

discussed fully and adequately. Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers should beware of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.

Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well-developed: Use examples and illustrations Cite data (facts, statistics, evidence, details, and others) Examine testimony (what other people say such as quotes and

paraphrases) Use an anecdote or story Define terms in the paragraph Analyze the topic Describe the topic

Body: Constructing Paragraphs A good paragraph should contain at least the following

four elements: Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence– TTEB!

A Transition sentence leading in from a previous paragraph to assure smooth reading. This acts as a hand off from one idea to the next.

A Topic sentence that tells the reader what you will be discussing in the paragraph.

Specific Evidence and analysis that supports one of your claims and that provides a deeper level of detail than your topic sentence.

A Brief wrap-up sentence that tells the reader how and why this information supports the paper’s thesis.

Body: When to start a new paragraph?

When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each new point within that idea should have its own paragraph. Hint: If you use a transition word within the same paragraph (i.e.

however), then you’ve probably moved on to a new idea. When your readers need a pause. Breaks in paragraphs

function as a short "break" for your readers—adding these in will help your writing more readable. You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is complex.

When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion. Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.

Body: Creating Transition Sentences

Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections.

Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph.

Body: Examples of Transitional Sentences Example: Amy Tan became a famous author after her

novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.

There are other things to note about Tan as well. Amy Tan also participates in the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders with Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Revision: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.

Though her fiction is well known, her work with the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders receives far less publicity.

Body: Practice transitional sentences Example: Overall, Management Systems

International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.

Another important thing to note is that the corporation had expanded its international influence.

Example: Fearing for the loss of Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.

But then something else significant happened. The Swedish intervention began.

Body: Interweaving Analysis with Argument

Davidoff ad

Body: Addressing the other side

When you rebut or refute an opposing position, use the following three-part organization: The opponent’s argument – Usually, you should not assume that your

reader has read or remembered the argument you are refuting. Thus at the beginning of your paragraph, you need to state, accurately and fairly, the main points of the argument you will refute.

Your position – Next, make clear the nature of your disagreement with the argument or position you are refuting. Your position might assert, for example, that a writer has not proved his assertion because he has provided evidence that is outdated, or that the argument is filled with fallacies.

Your refutation – The specifics of your counterargument will depend upon the nature of your disagreement. If you challenge the writer’s evidence, then you must present the more recent evidence. If you challenge assumptions, then you must explain why they do not hold up. If your position is that the piece is filled with fallacies, then you must present and explain each fallacy.

Body: To address the other side or not to address the other side…

If arguing that an ad is appropriate, you have to show that someone would disagree with that position.

Status quo Solomon Outside sources

Conclusion

Summarize your main thesis, but do not simply reorganize the same words from your original thesis statement. Include the same idea, but write it in a different way.

Include ideas for further research or possible questions that still need to be explored. Do not end your paper as if there is nothing left to be said on the subject!

Bookending: Play off an idea introduced in your intro and return to it here.

MLA

Owl Perdue Writing Lab-Other print sources http

://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/▪ Heading, including running header▪ Title:▪ http://www4.ncsu.edu/~kalaviab/Lavia-101-Home.htm

▪ In-text citation▪ Works cited page (Ad, Solomon, Other source)▪ Alphabetize▪ Hanging indent