Rhetorical Strategies
What is rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the art of persuasive speaking or writing Having excellent rhetoric can help you win the argument
Alliteration
The close repetition of consonant sounds, usually at the beginnings of words
Examples: Best Buy, Captain Kid, Dynamic Duo, Phil the Fish
Allusion
A reference to a person, object, or event from the Bible, mythology, literature, or popular culture
Example: If you tell him that, you are opening up Pandora’s box.
Example: They thought they were Romeo and Juliet.
Antithesis A technique of putting two opposite ideas
near each other in a sentence to create a powerful effect
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Charles Dickens)
Example: “We are caught in war, wanting peace.” (Richard Nixon)
Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.” (JFK)
Metaphor
Short comparison of the characteristics of two unlike things, without using “like” or “as.”
Example: “The moon was a golden grapefruit high up in the sky.”
The moon is being compared to a grapefruit.
Simile
Short comparison of the characteristics of two unlike things, using “like” or “as.”
Example: “Our ignorance is like a vast sea, deep and wide.”
Metaphor vs. Simile
Metaphor: This bread is a rock. Simile: This bread is like a rock. Simile: This bread is as hard as a
rock. Tip: The word “simile” has an “l” and
an “s.” Think “l” for like and “s” for as.
Parallel Structure
Creating balance in a sentence by using the same grammatical pattern
Example: “Less measurable but no less profound” – (Barack Obama)
Example: “from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city” – (MLK, Jr.)
Refrain
Repeating a word, phrase, or sentence throughout a speech to create some kind of rhythm.
Example: “Twinkle, twinkle, little star” is repeated many times throughout the song.
Rhetorical Questions
These questions are used for effect and are not to be answered. It is to draw the audience’s attention to a specific area.
Example: “What is the legacy we are leaving for our future generations when we abuse the earth?”
How to Conduct Research
Not all information over the internet is considered legitimate.
To determine the validity of a web source, you must ask yourself several questions.
Consider these types of sources
Major newspapers (www.latimes.com, www.nytimes.com)
Major magazines (www.newsweek.com, www.time.com, www.usnews.com, www.nationalgeographic.com, www.economist.com)
Major broadcast media (www.abcnews.com, www.cnn.com)
More Sources
Government organizations (www.epa.gov, sites that end with .gov)
Educational institutions (www.ucla.edu) Health & medical websites (kidshealth.org,
www.mayoclinic.com, www.nih.gov, www.webmd.com)
Non-profit foundations (www.lungcancer.org, www.americanheart.org, http://ww5.komen.org)
NOT acceptable sources Special interest websites Blogs Websites published by one person or a group of
people (The information provided on these sites are not first-hand facts. These individuals do not conduct research, and they did not collect the data first-hand.)
These do not pass the test of objectivity or authority as stated by Cornell University
Important
Make sure you read the “About Us” link of any website you visit. That will be the first step in determining whether the source is appropriate.
Five criteria for evaluating Web pages
byOlin and Uris Libraries
Cornell University
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/evaluate.html
Accuracy of Web Documents
Who wrote the page and can you contact him or her?
What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced?
Is this person qualified to write this document?
Authority of Web Documents
Who published the document and is it separate from the "Webmaster"?
Check the domain of the document; what institution publishes this document?
Does the publisher list his or her qualifications?
Objectivity of Web Documents
What goals/objectives does this page meet?
How detailed is the information? What opinions (if any) are
expressed by the author?
Currency of Web Documents
When was it produced? When was it updated? How up-to-date are the links (if
any)?
Coverage of the Web Documents
Are the links (if any) evaluated and do they complement the documents' theme?
Is it all images or a balance of text and images?
Is the information presented cited correctly?
Writing your speech
Format• Introduction• Body• ConclusionUse rhetorical strategies to dazzle your audience!
Introduction
Purpose is to grab the audience’s attention Use a hook
General statement about life Rhetorical question Statistical fact (i.e. CO2 levels highest in one million years) Quote from a well-respected famous person An anecdote (see next slide)
Using an Anecdote in the Introduction
Tell a brief story One that introduces your topic Real story (proper identification) Make up a scenario (create a mental
image)
Starting with an Anecdote
Imagine a mountain of gleaming plastic bottles. Imagine a lake without water. This could be our future tomorrow, if we don’t make a change today. Our world is headed for an ecological disaster, unless we take drastic steps to change our inheritance.
Lake Mead
Thesis: Two Ways Version 1:
Although teenagers don’t like dress codes and school uniforms, having expectations about school attire improves student behavior, saves money, and reduces clothes competition.
Then, you write a paragraph about improving student behavior, saving money, and reducing clothing competition.
Thesis: Two Ways
Version 2: Although teenagers don’t like dress
codes and school uniforms, having expectations about school clothing solves many problems in the end.
Less specific and leaves you open to write more.
Body of the Speech
Include arguments for your side Include evidence, facts, statistics,
quotes (Concrete Details)
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”The Declaration of Independence
Purpose of the Conclusion
Drive home your argument Summarize your speech Provide closure Leave the audience thinking
How to Conclude
Visualization – create a mental picture (show, don’t tell)
Refer back to your opening statements
Ask a rhetorical question Call to action – get the audience to
act