RHETORIC

FROM THE EARLY SOPHISTS TO THE ETHICAL AND ETERNAL ARISTOTLE, THE GREEKS RAISED TO AN ART FORM THE SKILL OF KNOWING WHAT TO SAY, AT THE RIGHT TIME,

IN THE RIGHT WAY, TO INFLUENCE, INFORM, BALANCE, OR PROVOKE THEIR LISTENERS, …AND THEY CALLED IT RHETORIC.

ETHOS – PATHOS – LOGOS

• The trifecta of argumentation! (Trifecta … look that up, Peeps!)

• Aristotle identified these three elements as the essential ingredients for sound rhetoric.

ETHOS• The “ethics” – not of your argument – but of your character and your

credibility. Who or what are YOU that gives YOU the legitimacy to be speaking or writing on YOUR topic. Yes, it really is all about YOU. • Ethos is an attempt to sway your listeners/readers with the sheer integrity

of your character and knowledge on the subject at hand. • To establish ETHOS with your audience/readers, you want to firmly

present yourself as an authority on the subject as well as a respectable or likeable human being. • If you are not an authority but you want to have ETHOS in your court, at

least establish your relationship to the subject OR your extensive dedication to research of the subject. Confidence but not cockiness can fill in the blanks and establish ETHOS if you are speaking to your audience.

PATHOS• The “emotion” – the sheer emotive quality attached to what you are

speaking or writing about. Pathos means feeling. • PATHOS will tap into the raw emotions of your audience/readers.

Think about hitting the “pathy’s” ….sympathy, empathy, antipathy…just avoid psychopathy. (Badum bump!) • Using PATHOS, emotions can override logic in humans – but not for

long. Depending on your subject, to rely too much on pathos is a rhetorical crutch and not a reliable plan – unless you are Sarah Mclachlan in those ASPCA commercials. • Do not use it as a base, do not rely too heavily upon it for a true

argument, and do not be transparent about it – but do not be afraid to work some PATHOS into your rhetoric.

LOGOS• The “logic” – the reasoning – the heart and soul of good sound

argumentation. When you establish LOGOS in your writing and speaking, you are a force to be reckoned with. • Sadly, some humans find that LOGOS hurts their brains and they avoid it;

therefore, in rhetoric, you must explicitly map out, break down, explain, and support your reasoning. Just to be clear, let’s go over the important word again…EXPLICITLY map out, break down, and support your reasoning. (See what I did there…)• The perfect storm of Logos is established by presenting a solid premise,

providing rock-hard support, acknowledging and rebutting your opposition, all while maintaining objectivity, and avoiding fallacies. (So simple! bahaha)• LOGOS is the foundation of all things good and right in rhetoric. Learn it,

use it, and understand it!

RHETORICAL DEVICES

• Rhetoric, ETHOS – PATHOS – LOGOS, are the ends and RHETORICAL DEVICES are part of the means.

• Rhetorical devices are TOOLS that will assist you in your quest to achieve good rhetoric. • Eng III Rhetorical Devices:

Rhetorical Question, Repetition, Metaphor, Simile, Analogy, Alliteration, Parallelism, Hyperbole, Understatement, Antithesis

There are so many more…

Rhetorical Question =

• Asking a question that does not require an answer. Not only does it not require an answer, you do not want an answer.

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/rhetoricalquestion.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR RHETORIC

Repetition=

• Repeating key words, phrases, or concepts for emphasis.

• Example from a poem by T.S. Eliot:Because I do not hope to turn again

Because I do not hopeBecause I do not hope to turn…

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR RHETORIC

Analogy =

• In the rhetoric world, this is a long or completely played out simile or extended metaphor. (Outside of the rhetoric world, it is a word association pattern that you desperately need to master if you plan to take the SAT…)

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/analogy.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR RHETORIC

Metaphor & Simile =

• You know these. Every students seems to know these. • Metaphor – comparison not using like or as. • Simile – comparison using like or as.

• Examples: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/metaphor.htm & http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/simile.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR RHETORIC

Alliteration=

• Two or more words beginning with the same consonant sound in a line, sentence, or phrase.

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/alliteration.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

Parallelism =

• Lines or phrases containing the same grammatical pattern. In rhetoric, these work best in short bursts.

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/parallelism.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

Understatement=

• Exact opposite of a Hyperbole. Understatement downplays the importance or impact of something in order to make a point.

• Example:

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

Hyperbole=

• Extreme exaggeration used to make a point.

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/hyperbole.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

Antithesis=

• The opposite used to balance the argumentative equation. The “but” of an argument – you present the point and then balance it with the “but….” or the “other….” side. Juxtaposition ideas for balance and emphasis. (Juxta look it up ;)

• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/antithesis.htm

• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC