The Art of Speaking Methods of Persuasion and Rhetorical Devices
Objective Having listened to a lecture on persuasive rhetoric, students will demonstrate an understanding of its elements as shown by the accurate completion of in-class activities and closure.
Rhetoric the art or science of all specialized uses of language the art of using speech to persuade, influence, or please
Aristotle and Persuasion Aristotle taught that a speaker s ability to persuade an audience is based on how well the speaker appeals to that audience in three different areas: logos, ethos, and pathos.
The Rhetorical Triangle Logos is an appeal to logic. Ethos is the establishment of the credibility of the author or speaker. Pathos is an appeal to the emotion of the audience.
The Rhetorical Triangle The rhetorical triangle is represented by an equilateral triangle, suggesting that logos, ethos, and pathos should be balanced within a text.
LOGOS Evokes a cognitive, rational response Literal and historical analogies Definitions Factual data and statistics Quotations and citations from experts and authorities Informed opinions
Example of Logos Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. Franklin Delano Roosevelt from Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation (1941)
ETHOS Demonstrates author's reliability, competence, and respect for the audience's ideas and values Language appropriate to audience and subject Restrained, sincere, fair minded presentation Appropriate level of vocabulary Correct grammar Reliable and appropriate use of support General accuracy
Example of Ethos Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation or disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all. Queen Elizabeth I (1588) from a speech meant to encourage her troops to fight against an invasion by the Spanish Armada (1588)
PATHOS Evokes an emotional response Vivid, concrete language Emotionally loaded language Connotative meanings Narratives of emotional events Emotional tone Figurative language
Example of Pathos Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry from his speech delivered to Second Virginia Convention (1775)
Rhetorical Question a question asked without expecting an answer but for the sake of emphasis or effect. a question posed for the sake of encouraging the listener to consider a message or viewpoint
Parallelism The repetition of similar grammatical structures to express related ideas. Example:...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
Identify the Parallelism in the quotation. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address
Identify the Parallelism in the quotation. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address
Identify the Parallelism in the quotation. We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. George W. Bush, 9-20-01 Address to the Nation on Terrorism
Identify the Parallelism in the quotation. We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. George W. Bush, 9-20-01 Address to the Nation on Terrorism
Closure Write the summary for your Cornell notes. Consider including: The definition of rhetoric The purpose of rhetoric Something about logos, ethos, and pathos