The Power of Persuasion

The Power of PersuasionRhetorical Appeals and How Writers Use Them

1Definition:

Rhetoric2Definition:the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Rhetoric3Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Rhetoric4Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:

Rhetoric5Definition:Putdefinition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:

The politicians rhetoric was so effective that his audienceagreed to only tax the poor.

Rhetoric6Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:Your Sentence:

The politicians rhetoric was so effective that his audience agreed to only tax the poor.

Rhetoric7Rhetorical AppealsQuick-Write:Think of time where you used rhetoric, or your words, to convince someone of something, or to do something. - What exactly did you say?- Why was it effective? 8Rhetorical AppealsOk, so people can use their words, their rhetoric, to convince others.

But there is a little more to it than that . . . 9Definition:to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Appeal10Definition:Put definition in your own words: to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Appeal11Definition:Put definition in your own words:to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Example:

I really wanted to goto the concert, so appealedto my parents by telling them I would do dishes for the next two months.

Appeal12Definition:Put definition in your own words:to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Example:Your Example:

I really wanted to goto the concert, so appealedto my parents by telling them I would do dishes for the next two months.

Appeal13Rhetorical AppealsWhen trying to persuade an audience, a writer can try to convince, or appeal, to their readers in 3 very different ways:EthosPathosLogos14Rhetorical AppealsEthos = Trust

15Rhetorical AppealsEthos:targets, or appeals to peoples trust when trying to persuade them.

People need to be able to trust the speaker or writer in order to be persuaded.

16Rhetorical AppealsEthos:This means the speaker should be: an expert in what he/she is talking aboutshould be experienced with the subject This makes the speaker/writer believable to the audience.

17Bill Gatesis an expert in computers, so he could use ethos to persuade people on this topic

18Michael Jordan

is an expert in basketball, so he could use ethos as a way to persuade players to improve their game. 19Snooki

is an expert in tanning, so she could use ethos as a way to persuade people that tanning is good. 20

Ms. Philson is NOT an expert in skydiving, so she should not try to use ethos to persuade someone of ANYTHING related to skydiving.Skydiving? Oh yes, you should do this, and this, and this . . .Im pretty sure shes never gone skydiving before . . .21

Who do you think could use ethos more effectively to convince people NOT to use drugs?

A person who knows what drugs do to the body only because they have studied people who use drugs.

A person who, in the past, has been a drug addict and can tell people first hand, the negative side effects of drugs on not only a body, but on a personal life.22Identify the ethos argumentScenario:Someone tries to get you to donate money to their non-profit to raise money to help people with their need for organ transplants. This person explains there are many people who can not afford transplants, they being one of them. They then show you a picture of themselves after their transplant and state that they were able to receive their transplant because of help from this particular non-profit. 23What is the ethos argument?Since this person has received assistance from the non-profit and it saved their life, this person is a trustworthy speaker.

They effectively persuaded you into donating $20 to the non-profit because of their own experience. 24Identify the ethos argumentScenario:A politician is attempting to convince voters that they need to vote for higher taxes in order to put more money into public schools. He states that he was a teacher for 10 years and has also made many visits to public schools after getting into politics and sees that schools are lacking materials in many areas including text books and teachers. 25What is the ethos argument?Since this politician used to be a teacher and has been visiting schools, this makes them a believable person.

This politician effectively persuaded you because they showed how they know public schools need money.26Rhetorical AppealsPathos = Emotions

27The writer can appeal to the readers1. Trustthe reader can be persuaded if he or she thinks the writer or speaker can be believed.

2. Emotionsthe reader can be persuaded if the writer gets him/her sad, mad, or happy enough to do something about it.

28The writer can appeal to the readers1. Trustthe reader can be persuaded if he or she thinks the writer or speaker can be believed.

2. Emotionsthe reader can be persuaded if the writer gets him/her sad, mad, or happy enough to do something about it.

3. Logicthe reader might be convinced if the writer makes sense mathematically and logically.29The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.30The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

31The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

1. Ethos = Trust

32The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

Ethos = TrustPathos = Emotion

33The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

Ethos = TrustPathos = Emotion Logos = Sense or Logic

34EthosThe Ethos-appeal asks, Do you trust me?35An Ethos-based appeal only works when you trust the speaker

36 A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by37 >relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by38A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by

>relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

>trying to appear trustworthy and/or knowledgeable39A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by

>relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

>trying to appear trustworthy and/or knowledgeable

>associating herself with someone the audience knows and respects.

40Pathos: the emotional appeal

41Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery

42Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery.

>Use angry or excited language.

43Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery.

>Use angry or excited language.

>Imply a sense of urgency so that the audience thinks it must act NOW!

44Logos: the appeal to reason, or your audiences intelligence

45Logos

46Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.47Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.

Relying on their audiences sense of logic and consequences.48Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.

Relying on their readers sense of logic and understanding of consequences

Showing that the opposite position does not make sense.49