PERSUASIVE SPEAKING

AristotleA Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great.Contributed to many disciplines including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology.

AristotleAristotle wrote his Rhetoric in the 4th

century BCE

Rhetoric: one of the arts of using language as a means to persuade.

Aristotle wanted to find and teach people the ways that speakers or

writers could persuade their audiences by the use of evidence.

3 Appeals of Evidence

Aristotle formed the concept of the 3 appeals of evidence.

LogosPathosEthos

LogosLogos- Logical Appeals

Logos- means persuading by the use of reasoning. This is the most important technique and Aristotle's favorite.

Questions to ask yourself: Is each reason relevant to your

thesis? Is each reason distinct? Does each reason provide strong

support for your thesis? Will the audience consider each

reason important? Do you have just enough

evidence? At least 3, no more than 5?

Examples of Logos: Facts

Statistics Literal and historical analogies

Definitions Quotations

Citations from experts and authorities

Informed opinions

Deductive Reasoning

Is- Reasoning from a general condition to a specific instance.

In other words- you start with your Thesis statement and you present reasons to support it.

Inductive Reasoning

Is- Reasoning which involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion

In other words – start with your evidence and lead up to your thesis.

EthosEthos- Ethical Appeal

Ethos- means convincing by the character of the author. We tend

to believe people whom we respect. in other words making

yourself into an authority on the subject, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect.

Examples of Ethos

Language appropriate to audience and subject

Sincere, fair minded presentation

Appropriate level of vocabulary Correct grammar

Pathos Pathos- Emotional Appeal

Pathos- means persuading by appealing to the reader's

emotions. Language choice affects the audience's

emotional response, and emotional appeal can

effectively be used to enhance an argument.

Examples of Pathos

Emotionally loaded language Emotional examples Vivid descriptions

Narratives of emotional events Emotional tone