rhetoric. what is rhetoric? the art of effective persuasion through speaking and writing.* *many...
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Rhetoric
What is rhetoric?
What is rhetoric?
The art of effective persuasion through speaking and writing.*
*Many include other mediums in rhetoric such as art, photography, video, et cetera.
Aristotle
• Greek philosopher • Born in Stagirus, northern
Greece, in 384 BC. • Studied under Plato, philosopher
and mathematician. • Writings cover physics, biology,
zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theater, music, rhetoric, linguistics, politics and government.
• Largely responsible for founding Western Philosophy.
Aristotle
• Generally credited with developing the basics of the system of rhetoric that "thereafter served as its touchstone”.[1]
• Influenced the development of rhetorical theory from ancient through modern times.
• Rhetoric is regarded by most rhetoricians as "the most important single work on persuasion ever written."[2]
[1] Bizzell, P. & Bruce Herzberg. (2000). The Rhetorical Tradition: Readings from Classical Times to the Present. NY: Bedford/St. Martin's. p.3.
[2] Golden, James L., Goodwin F. Berquist, William E. Coleman, Ruth Golden, & J.Michael Sproule (eds.). (2007). The rhetoric of Western thought: From the Mediterranean world to the global setting, 9th ed. Dubuque, IA (USA): p.67.
Three Rhetorical Appeals
These appeals can be considered persuasive strategies:
• Pathos
• Ethos
• Logos
Pathos
• Greek for 'suffering’
• Emotional appeal, but also includes an appeal to the audience's sympathies and imagination.
• Often in the form of anecdotes/stories, emotional images or scenes – anything that elicits a heartfelt response from the viewer.
• Think sympathy.
Ethos
• Greek for 'character’
• Refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the persuader.
• Exists independently from the message--his or her expertise in the field, or his or her previous record or integrity.
• Often in the form of a quote, testimony or suggestion from an expert or respected figure for the given topic.
• Think character.
Logos
• Greek for 'word’
• Refers to the internal consistency of the message -- the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasoning, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence.
• Often comes in the form of facts, figures, statistics, scientific data and research findings.
• Think logic.