What is Rhetoric?

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What is Rhetoric?
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Definition of Rhetoric

• Rhetoric (n) - the art of speaking or writing
  effectively.
• Content WHAT
• Rhetoric HOW

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• Rhetoric is HOW we give the impressions we give.
  HOW we say what we say, do what we do, write what
  we write.
• Rhetoric is all around us in conversation, in
  movies, in advertisements and books, in body
  language, and in art. We employ rhetoric whether
  were conscious of it or not. . .

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The goal of persuasion is to change others point
of view or to move others to take action.
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• . . .but becoming conscious of how rhetoric works
  can be transforming this consciousness can alter
  our speaking, reading, and writing, making us
  more successful and able communicators and more
  discerning audiences.

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Aristotle and The Art of Rhetoric

• Aristotle (384 - 322 BC Greece)
• More than any other thinker, Aristotle
  determined the orientation and content of Western
  intellectual history.
• Author of systems of thought
• we still use todayboth in
• philosophy and science.

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Aristotles Rhetorical Triangle

• Aristotle believed that to make convincing
  arguments, writers needed to look at three
  elements the speakers persona, the audience,
  and the subject matter.
• Writers must take into account all three--they
  are connected and interdependent.

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What is logos, ethos, and pathos?

• Logos Logic, Reason, Facts
• Ethos Ethics, Image, Credibility
• Pathos Emotions (Passion)

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Logos, Ethos, Pathos

• Using logos, ethos, and pathos will help you to
  master the art of persuasion.
• Through language, you will be able to change
  the point of view of others!
• Through language, you will be able to motivate
  others to take action!

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Logos

• Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and
  reason.
• Using logos means appealing to the readers sense
  of what is logical.

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Logos Example

• Eighty percent of the writers interviewed said
  they write at least four rough drafts before they
  publish a piece of writing.

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Ethos

• Ethos is an argument based on character.
• Using ethos means the writer or speaker appeals
  to the audiences sense of ethical behavior. The
  writer or speaker presents him or herself to the
  audience as credible, trustworthy, honest and
  ethical.

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Ethos Example

• I have been teaching writing for twenty years .
  . .
• Or
• I am an ethical expert, so believe what I say.

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Pathos

• Pathos argument based on feelings
• Using pathos means appealing to readers emotions
  and feelings.

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Pathos Example

• She stood before the class preparing to present
  her speech. She regretted not rehearsing the
  night before. Her knees shook, her breath grew
  shallow, and colored spots danced before her
  eyes. She gripped the podium and hoped she would
  not pass out in front of her classmates.

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Review

• Logos logic
• Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and
  reason.
• Using logos means appealing to the readers sense
  of what is logical.

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Review

• Ethos Ethics / Image
• Ethos is an argument based on character.
• The writer or speaker presents him or herself to
  the reader as credible, trustworthy, honest and
  ethical.

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Review

• Pathos argument based on feelings
• Using pathos means appealing to readers emotions
  and feelings.