Rhetoric

Rhetoric is: the art of speaking or writing

effectively the effective use of language to

communicate the skillful use of various techniques

for engaging, directing, and persuading readers/an audience

3 Rhetorical Appeals

Logos

Ethos

Pathos

Logos – Logical

Means persuading by the use of reasoning

Refers to: the clarity of the claim the logic of its reasons the effectiveness of its supporting evidence

The impact of logos on an audience is sometimes called the argument’s logical appeal.

Logos Continued

Examples of logos in a text: The structure of the text Facts/Statistics Research

Logos Example

You read an article that asserts that 20% of all traffic violations are the result of using cell phones while driving. How is this an example of logos?

Logos Activity1. Choose 3 questions

from the list at right.

2. Ask all 3 questions to 10 of your classmates.

3. Record their answers on your paper.

4. Write a complete sentence using your data (look at your “signal words”).

1. What is your favorite genre of music?

2. What is your favorite movie genre?

3. What is your favorite sport?

4. What is your favorite food?5. What is your favorite color?6. Where do you prefer: San

Diego or Tijuana?7. Vanilla or chocolate?8. Where would you like to

travel?9. Where do you want to go

to college?10.How many siblings do you

have?

Ethos – Credibility

Trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker

Writer’s reputation Profession Education Expertise in field

Ethos Example

A school invites a famous athlete recovering from drug addiction to speak to students about the dangers of drug abuse. Is this a credible source? Explain why

or why not.

Ethos Activity

Write a paragraph (5 sentences) establishing your own credibility on a topic in which you feel you are an expert.

As a student at SYHS what would you include to prove your authority?

As a son/daughter… As a brother/sister… As a teenager…

Pathos – Emotion

Persuading by appealing to readers’ emotions through the use of: Vivid language Emotional language Sensory details

Pathos Example 1

Hallmark – “Back to School” How is this an emotional appeal?

Pathos Example 2

“Always Wear Your Seatbelt Ad” How is this an emotional appeal?

Pathos Activity

Choose one of the following claims.

Develop 3 pieces of evidence to support the claim through the use of Pathos.

Legalize marijuana No school uniforms Bring all of our soldiers home Convince a teacher to “pass” you Shorten the school day

Quiz

Why does the author include quotations from Harvard and Columbia University professors?

A. To sound smarterB. To establish credibilityC. To conclude his argumentD. To acknowledge the professors for

being interviewed

Quiz Continued “It had been especially hard to stand the monotony

that day. He kept thinking about what was going on in Mexico, where it was the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. And, oh, what a feast there was - sweets and handmade tamales, a parade, even a bullfight. At night, fireworks, bursting loud and bright against the green folds of the mountains. Paid for, in part, by the money he sends home,” is an example of which rhetorical device?

A. LogosB. Ethos C. Pathos

Quiz Continued “She reports that $1 billion out of the $7

billion raised was distributed to the injured, including firefighters; a total of 2,680 physical injury payments made in all.”

 

This is an example of what rhetorical appeal? 

A) EthosB) PathosC) Logos

Rhetorical Strategies

*Repetition

*Parallel Structure

*Rule of Three

*Anecdote

*Examples

Terminology

Repetition

* A powerful tool that is used to create emphasis. It helps reinforce a key idea.

* A strategy that helps the speaker create a strong impression in the audience’s memories while reciting key points.

Example of the power of Repetition: “I have a dream” Speech by Martin Luther King

Excerpt of Martin Luther King’s “I have

a dream” Speech:“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out to the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’”

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

Checking for Understanding

Re-read the excerpt of Martin L. King’s speech, and answer the following question:

How does the repetition of the words “I have a dream” affect the message that Mr. King is delivering in this particular part of the speech? Explain.

Parallel Structure

*Using the same arrangement of words to indicate that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

*It adds rhythm, balance and very important: clarity to the sentence!

*Parallel structure can occur at the word, phrase or clause level.

*The most common way to join parallel structure is through the use of coordinating conjunctions, such as: or, and.

Parallel Structure Continued

Some examples of Parallel Structure:

*Parallel verbs and adverbs:

-Happily and cautiously he run around the corner to meet his friends.

*Parallel verbs and direct objects:

-She enjoyed to eat strawberries and to avoid apples.

*Parallel participial, infinitive, and gerund phrases:

-Tony left the car engine on, running irregularly and heating rapidly.

Now, it is your turn… The following phrases are not using the “Parallel

Structure” properly; copy them in your notes, and fix them so that they will be correct:

1)I’ve read about her swimming everyday and that she runs seven times a week.

2)Mr. Reynolds is responsible for answering phones, taking notes at meetings, and he records complaints.When you are done, take two minutes to compare answers with your neighbor.

The “Rule of Three”

A great technique that permits you to express concepts more thoroughly, highlights your point, and intensifies the impact of your message in your audience.

The most used element in the “Rule of Three” is the “Tricolon.”

The “Tricolon” is a list of three parallel words or phrases.

The “Rule of Three” in action:

J.A. Gamache: Toastmasters, 2007:“A sandal of hope when you reach out. A sandal of joy when you listen to your heart. A sandal of courage when you dare to care.”

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettystburg Address:“We can not dedicate – We can not consecrate – We can not hallow – this ground”“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”

Independent Practice

There are many examples of the use of the “Rule of Three” in our language, get together with your neighbor, and think of one and write down in your paper. Be ready to share.

Note: If, after trying very hard, you or your partner cannot think of one, then try to create your own.

Anecdote

*A short narrative account, or story of a revealing, interesting, unusual, or amusing event.

*Some of its uses are: to clarify difficult points, to create memorable images, or to create a human connection to the audience.

Examples of two anecdotes about famous

writers:

Ernest Hemingway(1899–1961)

Hemingway's son Patrick asked his father to edit a story he had written. Hemingway went through the manuscript carefully, then returned it to his son. "But, Papa," cried Patrick in dismay, "you've only changed one word."

"If it's the right word," said Hemingway, "that's a lot."

Agatha Christie(1891–1976)

Agatha Christie's second husband, Max Mallowan, was a distinguished archaeologist who made his name excavating in Mesopotamia. On her return with her husband from the Middle East, Miss Christie was asked how she felt about being married to a man whose interest lay in antiquities. "An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have," she said. "The older she gets, the more interested he is in her."

Independent Practice:

Take five minutes to write in your paper a quick “Anecdote” about an event in your life that was either revealing, interesting, or amusing.

When you are done, you will share with your neighbor.

Examples

*They help the author illustrate his or her point and make it much more clear and relatable.

*They help to persuade the audience.

*Some types of examples commonly used by writers and/or speakers are: statistics, facts, personal experiences, interviews and quotes by famous people.

Writing your own example to prove your

point:First, on your sheet of paper, write whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:

It is easy to be influenced by peer-pressure.

Second, give an example that makes your point clear and that may persuade us that you are right.