: the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way

to persuade or influence people

rhetoric

• Rhetorical triangle• Rhetoric• Argument• Rhetorical context• Purpose• Writer/Speaker (Ethos)• Audience (Pathos)• Message (Logos)

New Vocabulary

Rhetoric & Elements of Argument

First, understand that argument is not simply a dispute, as when people disagree with one another or shout at each

other. Argument is about making a case in support of a claim in everyday affairs—in science, in policy making, in

school, in courtrooms, and so forth.

Argument & PersuasionPersuasion and argument are often used interchangeably-

but they are not the same!

• Persuasion is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action.

• Persuasion relies much less on facts (logos) and more on emotions (pathos).

• Argument is a specific kind of persuasion based on the principles of logic and reasoning (logos).

In everyday life… Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a

job, negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court

In academic life… Defending your ideas, engaging intellectual debate

On the job… Getting people to listen to your ideas, winning buy-

in, getting your boss to notice, getting cooperation, moving people to action

• http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=greenpeace+lego+shell&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=30AD12BC5A0AF1136D3F30AD12BC5A0AF1136D3F

The Importance of Argument and Persuasion

In writing… Irrefutably making your point, writing to be

read

In reading and listening… Critically evaluating other’s arguments,

protecting yourself from unethical persuasive tactics, recognizing faulty reasoning when you see it.

TO CREATE CHANGE/AWARENESS

The Importance of Argument and Persuasion

Analyzing ArgumentIn an argument essay, the writer selects

evidence, and use logical appeal to

structure an argument to prove a position

on the topic. The single purpose is to argue

a position and defend it with evidence in

any discipline.

When you evaluate an argument or set

of claims, you determine its

value or persuasiveness.

Rhetorical TriangleWhile reading & analyzing arguments, address

these 5 rhetorical elements:

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

Identify the claim – main idea, thesis, or the point the

author is making – it may be directly stated or implied. Further, it may come early in the writing or near the end. What is the point of the argument?

Writer’s Claim (Thesis)

• While reading or writing an argument, identify, the purpose of the communication – this is the rhetorical goal.

• In other words, what is the author trying to achieve in his or her message?

Writer’s Purpose

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

is the political, historical, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular idea or event. In order to better understand the rhetoric, readers must look at its context--those things which surround it in time and place and give it its meaning.

Rhetorical Context

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

While reading, identify who the intended or target audience is. Consider the rhetorical context when identifying this.

As a writer, you must ask, “What values and belief do I appeal to in the audience? How can I engage both the audience’s heart and mind?”

To have your message accepted by an audience, the writer should try to appeal to their emotions, which is why the audience is often linked with pathos in the rhetorical triangle.

Audience (Pathos)

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

While reading, identify what the writer is using to build credibility and trust with their audience. Consider their inherent background.

They can build their ethos through the choices they make in terms of tone, style and addressing counter arguments.

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

In the rhetorical triangle, the message is often linked with logos, the content of the communication.

Logos is the logical use of evidence the author uses to support their message (or claim).

•As a reader, you must ask yourself, “What assumptions support the reasoning? What is the evidence?”

Message (Logos)

Writer/Speaker (Ethos)

Audience (Pathos)

Message (Logos)

Purpose

Rhetorical Context

• Evidence can be any fact, statistic, or quote from others, provable sources. Evidence, to be useful, must be relevant and verifiable.

1. Cause and effect (logos) - These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur.

2. Analogy (logos) - This is an argument in which a conclusion is drawn about a situation based on similarities of this situation (analogies) to previous situations. It is considered the weakest of all of the techniques.

3. Stylistic Devices: • repetition, figurative language,

sarcasm, symbolism, anecdote, and many more…

Rhetorical Strategies

Evidence vs. Opinion

Some authors word their argument so subtly that the reader may confuse what is actually evidence vs. opinion. It takes a careful analysis to determine the difference.

Most Common Rhetorical Strategies

• Underlined words=leave a blank space under it. We are going to find examples!

• Cause and Effect: because of this…this happened…

• Analogy: comparison between two words (or sets of words) to highlight some form of similarity between them – What death is to life, blindness is to vision.

• Repetition

• Figurative Language (which will include simile, metaphor, imagery, etc)– No example needed.

• Allusions: an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference– Especially to the Bible and historical figures

• Diction: specific word choice to achieve a particular tone

• Allusions: an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference– Especially to the Bible and historical figures

• Syntax: the way sentences are structured– Long sentences, short sentences, simple, complex

• Shift in point of view: changes the narrator – first person to third person etc.

• Sarcasm: saying the opposite of what you mean, usually adding an extra comment– Nice perfume. Must you drown yourself in it?

• Humor: trying to make you laugh

• Rhetorical Questions: a question that is asked in order to make a point, rather than to get an answer– Don’t you hate rhetorical questions?

• Extended metaphor: a comparison that is extended through the length of the piece– Example movie/book/story

• Juxtaposition: purposefully comparing two things in order to show their differences

• Anecdotes: stories to illustrate a point

In your group…

• Find an example for each of the following. • Write down the example in your notes.

• Cause and Effect• Repetition• Extended metaphor• Juxtaposition:• Anecdotes:• Humor