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Rhetoric Unit Intro

The document discusses rhetorical analysis and rhetorical devices. It defines rhetoric as the art of communicating ideas through persuasive speaking or writing. The objectives are to determine the author's purpose, analyze rhetorical devices used to support claims, and evaluate effectiveness. It outlines the three main rhetorical appeals of logos (rational arguments), pathos (emotional arguments), and ethos (credibility). Examples are provided for each appeal and rhetorical devices like parallelism, repetition, analogy, and imagery.

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98 views

Rhetoric Unit Intro

The document discusses rhetorical analysis and rhetorical devices. It defines rhetoric as the art of communicating ideas through persuasive speaking or writing. The objectives are to determine the author's purpose, analyze rhetorical devices used to support claims, and evaluate effectiveness. It outlines the three main rhetorical appeals of logos (rational arguments), pathos (emotional arguments), and ethos (credibility). Examples are provided for each appeal and rhetorical devices like parallelism, repetition, analogy, and imagery.

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Rhetorical Analysis

IB English HL 1
What is Rhetoric?

Rhetoric (noun)
It’s defined as the art
Rhetorical (adjective)
of communicating
ideas through the
use of persuasive Don’t write “rhetoric
speaking or writing appeals”-–
it’s “rhetorical appeals”
Our objectives for this unit:

1. Determine the author’s purpose for writing &


primary claims
2. Analyze the author’s rhetorical devices (aka
authorial choices) used to fulfill her purpose and
support her claims
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of those choices on
the audience and the validity of her arguments
3 Main APPEALS:
1. Logos: rational arguments and factual
evidence
2. Pathos: emotional arguments
3. Ethos: ethical/moral arguments and the
credibility of the speaker
The Rhetorical
Speaker
Triangle Ethos

Message Audience
Logos Pathos
Rhetorical Appeal: LOGOS
Two kinds of logical arguments:
1. Reason or common sense
2. Hard evidence and facts

Hard evidence, such as facts, statistics, scientific


studies, and testimonials carry the most weight in
an argument.
Logos Example
“Genetically modified seeds have caused poverty,
hunger, and a decline in biodiversity everywhere
they have been introduced, so there is no reason
the same results will not occur when genetically
modified corn seeds are introduced in Mexico.”
Rhetorical Appeal: ETHOS

Two aspects of ethos:


1. Character: The credibility of the writer
2. Morality: The ethical alignment of the
argument to the audience
ETHOS: Character
Credibility and authority can be established by:
1. Personal experience
2. Credentials
3. Years of experience
4. Known reputation & character
Ethos Example
“The Asian culture, as it happens, is something I know a
bit about, having spent five years at Harvard striving
for a Ph.D. in a joint program called History and East
Asian Languages and, after that, living as either a
student (for one year) or a journalist (six years) in
China and Southeast Asia. At least I know enough to
know there is no such thing as ‘the Asian culture.’”
--Richard Bernstein, Dictatorship of Virtue
ETHOS: Morality
The ethics of the writer must also align with the
audience in order to be effective:
1. The writer appeals to similar ethics and moral
principles as the audience
2. Manipulation of the conscience
3. Easier to make an audience join a cause or act
upon something that they already agree with
Rhetorical Appeal: Pathos
Pathos is defined as an emotional appeal that generates
specific feelings, which the writer hopes will lead the
audience to accept the claim.

Making an emotional connection with the audience is a


powerful tool of manipulation!

Most common emotions: fear, anger, jealousy, pity, justice,


and desire.
Pathos Example
“Filling the tank of an SUV in the U.S. has now crossed
the psychologically traumatizing $100 mark. I greet this
news with sadistic glee. People who bought SUVs were
fools, and I want them to suffer. Sure, SUVs are
petro-pigs, and they side-swipe cyclists into the curb.
Yes, they emblemize everything about Americans the
rest of world detests: greedy, wasteful, and oblivious to
the future. But on top of all that, they’re ugly.”

--”If the U.S. Election Were a Novel,” by Lionel Shriver


Identify the Appeal
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials
and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells.
And some of you have come from areas where your quest—quest for
freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and
staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the
veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that
unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to
Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to
Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities,
knowing that somehow this situation can be changed.
IB TIP: When discussing the APPEALS...

Don’t write that the author “uses ethos”, “uses


pathos”, or “uses logos”...

Instead, use phrases such as “incorporates a


logical appeal”, “appeals to the reader’s emotions”,
or “establishes his or her credibility”, etc.
Rhetorical Devices

AKA
authorial choices & craft
1.
PARALLELISM
Definition: Repeating the same sentence structure or
pattern of words for the purpose of establishing a rhythmic
effect. This makes your speech/writing easy to listen to and
easy to follow.
Examples:

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some
have greatness thrust upon them.

A good parallel structure is stylistically pleasing, structurally


supportive, and intellectually stimulating.

The apple never really falls far from the tree. Like father, like son.
2.
REPETITION
Definition: Repeating the same words and phrases multiple
times in order to have an affect on the audience. This creates
rhythm and a lasting impact.
Examples:

Because I do not hope to return home; because I do not hope to


ever see you again; because I do not hope to ever hold you in my
arms once more, I write this letter.

My conscience has a thousand several tongues, and every tongue


brings in a several tale, and every tale condemns me for a villain.

We shall fight, we shall die, but, in the end, we shall have victory!
3.
ANALOGY
Definition: Making a comparison, a lot like a metaphor or
simile, but more down-to-earth. It elaborates on a main point
and helps the audience better understand your
point-of-view.
Examples:

High school students today are failing math, which is a tragedy


that must be stopped, for math is to success as oxygen is to life.

One good deed witnessed can rejuvenate an entire society, much


like one single bit of yeast can make a whole loaf of bread rise.

The man was so awkward at the party, he looked like a fish out of
water.
4.
ALLUSION
Definition: Using an example from history, literature, religion,
or pop-culture to make a reference that your audience is
already familiar with.
Examples:
Ever since the fatal car accident that killed her husband and son,
our neighbor, who has become our very own Boo Radley, has
never left her house.

The devastation left behind by the storm completely destroyed


our house—it’s like the Apocalypse or something.

My new girlfriend is so hot! She has the body of Taylor Swift and
the face of Jessica Biel!
5.
RHETORICAL QUESTION
—Definition: —Posing a question without expecting an
answer—you assume that the audience already knows the answer
to the question.

—Oftentimes a writer or speaker will use this device in place of a


strong introduction to a thought or main point, yet they run the risk
that the audience will answer the question in a way unintended by
the speaker.
Examples:
—After all, who doesn’t wish for eternal youth or inexhaustible
wealth?

—What option do the poor and hungry have but to steal?

—In this modern and enlightened world, can we really condone


such horrific acts as war?

—How can we expect others to sacrifice more than we ourselves


are willing to give?
6.
COUNTERCLAIM
Definition: Much like a rebuttal, this anticipates your
audiences’ misgivings about your point of view and then
refutes it in order to support your own point of view.
Examples:

I know you may be thinking that cigarettes kill people and that
they are hazardously addicting, yet basically anything can kill
people, right? Cars, bad food, stormy weather…all are dangerous.
So just focus on the great taste of cigarettes and enjoy them!

Despite what most people believe, Taco Bell actually has 100% all
natural, real beef. They buy their meat from local farms that
produce cows of the highest quality. Not fake beef.
7.
IMAGERY
Definition: Creating a mental picture for the audience so
that they can literally envision your product or point of view.
Examples:
Imagine that your car breaks down on the side of a deserted
freeway in the middle of a dark, cold night. Do you have the skills
or the tools to fix it? AAA does.

Remember the civil war? Remember the horror of Northerner


killing Southerner? Brother killing brother? Friend killing friend?
The burnt houses, the amputees, the extreme loss of life? That is
what is happening in Sudan today. Something must be done to
stop it.
8.
HYPERBOLE
Definition: An exaggerated statement used to express a very
specific point to the audience. It should not be taken literally.
Examples:

“No, you can’t go to the party! I’ve told you to clean your room a
million times!” says your mom…

I’ll die if my parents don’t let me go to the party!

Your mama's so fat, she walked into Taco Bell and the bell rang
twice!
9.
ANTITHESIS
Definition: Contrasting two opposite things side by side in
order to make their differences very apparent to the
audience.
Examples:

That’s one small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind!

Many are called, but few are chosen.

Math may be a subject of the mind; however, English is a subject


for the thoughtful.
10.
ANAPHORA
Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the
beginning of paragraphs or clauses for an impactful effect.
Examples:

We will be brave and honorable in our pursuit of democracy in the


Middle East!

We will be compassionate and empathetic in our handling of


political prisoners and military imperialism!

We will be faithful and intrepid in our hopes of creating a better


world for all citizens!

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