WHAT IS RHETORIC:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rhetoric is defined as the art of effectively and persuasively speaking and writing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aristotle: "The faculty of discovering in any particular case all available means of persuasion." Plato: "The art of winning the soul by discourse." Rhetorical devices are linguistic devices, or tools of language, that are used to influence the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the audience. Sometimes called "slanters," rhetorical devices put a slant, or spin, on the material being presented. They involve a particular arrangement of words put together to lead an audience to a specific conclusion. As a result, they provide psychological power to an argument being presented. |
RHETORICAL APPEALS:
Logos: Facts / Logic Logos corresponds with the argument's "logical appeal," or how well the argument is supported by logical evidence. Are there facts, data, or statistics to support the argument? Are the facts and reasoning accurate, or are they misleading? Does the use of logos contribute to the ethos of the text? Do the facts and reasoning enhance or hinder the emotionality? Pathos: Emotion / Feelings Pathos refers to the text's "emotional appeal," or how well the writer taps into the audience's feelings. Is she knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reasonable? Does she try to establish common ground with the audience? Does she treat her critics or opponents with dignity and respect? Ethos: Ethics / Credibility Ethos refers to the author's "ethical appeal," or how well the author presents herself and her audience. Is the author knowledgeable, trustworthy, and reasonable? Does she try to establish common ground with the audience? Does she treat her critics or opponents with dignity and respect? |