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Definition of Rhetoric according to Silva Rhetorica• Rhetoric is the study of effective speaking and

writing…• In general, rhetoric studies the effectiveness of

language comprehensively• In the context of the AP English Language and

Composition class, rhetoric refers to considering how specific aspects of language are used or may be used to accomplish certain specific goals in specific contexts

Some Key Terms in Rhetoric• Kairos - the opportune moment/context• Audience - Shaping/responding to the text• Decorum - the �fit� to the context and reader• Appeals – choices made to connect the text to

the audience• Ethos• Pathos• Logos

Rhetorical Analysis vs. Literary Analysis

• The Trap – Many students do not distinguish between literary analysis (aesthetics-driven) and rhetorical analysis (purpose-driven)• The terminology of both literary and rhetorical analysis

overlaps• Many English teachers use terminology inter-changeably• Many English teachers use examples from literary sources

to explain rhetorical analysis• Students have been doing literary analysis in English

classes since 7th grade• The Outcome – students understanding of

rhetorical analysis is very muddled

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Teaching Rhetorical Analysis

•What specifically needs to be taught• How to read an argument – close reading

skills• How to identify what the writer is doing –

analytic skills• How to write about what the writer is

doing to the reader in acceptable academic writing.

Close Reading of Argument

• Definitions – words to use when thinking about rhetorical analysis• Text – What is written or spoken; always meant to be

persuasive• Rhetor – The person who does the writing designed to

persuade• Audience –The party that is the target of persuasion• Observer – The person who is observing the interaction

between the rhetor and the audience• The observer is not being persuaded• The observer is not trying to persuade

Close Reading of Argument

• Read the Text twice• At the end of the first reading, write down the

rhetor’s purpose• What does the rhetor want the audience to think,

believe, and/or do?• At the end of the second reading, write a

description of the appeals the rhetor uses to persuade the audience• Ethos• Pathos• Logos

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Analytic Skills- Definition of Appeals

• "Of the [modes of persuasion] provided through speech there are three species: for some are in the character of the speaker, and some are in disposing the listener in some way, and some in the argument itself, by showing or seeming to show something" --Aristotle, On Rhetoric, • There are three appeals to the art of persuasion:

• ethos/character of speaker: The rhetor is perceived by the audience as credible (or not).

• pathos/disposition of audience: The rhetor attempts to persuade the audience by making them feel certain emotions.

• logos/showing or seeming to show: The rhetor attempts to persuade the audience by the use of arguments that they will perceive as logical and/or reasonable.

Analytic Skills– Definition Ethos

"Ethos" is used to describe the audience's perception of the rhetor's credibility or authority. The audience asks themselves, "What does this person know about this topic?" and "Why should I trust this person?" There are two kinds of ethos:• extrinsic (the character, expertise, education, and

experience of the rhetor), and• intrinsic (how the rhetor writes or speaks).When we discuss the ethos of the rhetor, we decide whether it is strong or weak. We might use a phrase like, "His extrinsic ethos is strong because…" or "His intrinsic ethos is strong, but his extrinsic ethos is weak…"

Analytic Skills– Definition Pathos

• "Pathos" is used to describe the rhetor's attempt to appeal to "an audience's sense of identity, their self-interest, and their emotions." If the rhetor can create a common sense of identity with their audience, then the rhetor is using a pathetic appeal.

• "Pathos" most often refers to an attempt to engage an audience's emotions. Think about the different emotions people are capable of feeling: they include love, pity, sorrow, affection, anger, fear, greed, lust, and hatred.

• If a rhetor tries to make an audience feel emotions in response to what is being said or written, then they are using pathos.

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Analytic Skills– Definition Logos

The use of logos is called a "logical appeal.”A statement does not have to be considered logical to be a logical appeal. As an observer, you can recognize that the rhetor is attempting to use logos to persuade the audience, but that recognition doesn't mean the rhetor is succeeding.We use the term logos to describe what kind of rhetorical appeal is being made, not to evaluate whether or not an appeal makes sense to us (as observers) or to the audience being addressed. "Logos" is the use of the strategies of logic and/or reasoning to persuade your audience. If a statement attempts to persuade the audience by making a reasonable claim and offering proof in support of that claim (rather than by trying to make them feel certain emotions, or by making them perceive the speaker as credible), then that statement is a logical argument.

Analytic SkillsStrategies used to make logical arguments

• Argument of Cause – Causality and/or Consequence• Analogy – Comparison and/or Contrast• Testimony and Authority – Reference to expertise• Definition• Syllogism - A claim using deductive logic involving a

major premise, a minor premise, and conclusion. This is a move from the general to the specific.• Inductive Reasoning - a general statement about

something is backed up by specific examples.

Analytic SkillsDetermining the Rhetor’s Purpose

• Paraphrase the rhetor’s language into diction and syntax with which the observer is comfortable and familiar.

• Structural analysis - Break the text into parts• Identify introductory information, background, dates• Identify possible statements of claim• Identify the sequence of ideas – what comes first, second, third• Distinguish evidence from background, transitions, illustrations

• Using textual and contextual clues, identify the audience• Identify tone using diction and syntax clues• Look at sentence length, number of paragraphs, paragraph topic

sentences, clumping of ideas• Ask why the rhetor’s claim is important to this audience

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Writing SkillsRhetorical Analysis for AP Lang exam

• Formulate an argument essay using a clear claim and evidence• Claim should be a variation of the statement “The rhetor/author used

rhetorical strategies to shape his/her claim to the audience.

• Begin with a background paragraph• Identifying the rhetorical situation – who is speaking to whom and why• Tell your reader what the rhetor/writer is trying to accomplish

(purpose)• Identify the observer’s claim and the kinds of evidence to be used

• Present the observer’s evidence and connect the evidence to the observer’s claim. This should take several paragraphs and may be organized using the types of appeals the rhetor uses.

• Conclude, restating the observer’s claim and summarize evidence

Writing SkillsLanguage of Description and Evaluation

In the AP Lang curriculum, rhetorical analysis is seen as a descriptive process. The focus should be to describe the strategies and techniques the rhetor employs to accomplish the purpose for the specific audience. It is probably safest to avoid evaluative terms such as • good/bad, successful/unsuccessful, works/doesn’t workInstead employ descriptive terms such as • appropriate/inappropriate, effective/ineffective,

strong/weak