RhetoricRhetoric is:

The art of speaking or writing effectively

The effective use of language to communicate an idea

RhetoricGive an example of when you used rhetoric to get what you want?

Reading RhetoricallyExamining BOTH:

what the author says (summarizing)how he or she says it (strategies or

devices the author uses)

Reading RhetoricallyThink of something you read that you really enjoyed. What about the author’s writing appealed to you?

General Strategiesto Reading Rhetorically

Step 1 – comprehension:“Listen to the text = Go with the Wave”

Try to understand the author’s ideas, intentions, and worldview

Consider the ideas fairly and accurately before rushing to judgment

Play the believing game-go with it!

General Strategiesto Reading Rhetorically

Step 2 – analyze:Question the text = Go AGAINST the Wave

Read analytically and skeptically Carefully question the text’s claims and evidence Identify its subtle forms of persuasion so you can

make sound judgments regarding the author’s purpose

Identify the author’s tone Identify the intended audience Play the doubting game-go against it!

Author’s PurposeThe author’s Purpose is what the

author is trying to persuade the reader to believe and/or do.

Author’s PurposeAn author uses rhetorical devices, evidence and tone to convey his/her purpose

Example of how to incorporate this in your writing:

The author uses repetition (rhetorical device) to emphasize the injustices that King George committed against the colonies (purpose).

Author’s PurposeProvide examples of common purposes used by writers.

Author’s ToneThe author’s Tone is the attitude the

author has toward the topic/issue.Tone tends to be positive or negativeWord choice (diction) will always help

you determine author’s toneExample: An author upset about the BP

oil spill will write in an aggressive tone.

Author’s Tone“I shall throw you on a black ship and send you to the mainland,

To King Echetos, destroyer of all mortal men,

Who will cut off your nostrils with a sharp bronze sword;

He will tear of your private parts and give them to the dogs to eat raw.”

--Homer, The Odyssey

A) Threatening

B) Amused

C) Proud

D) Unsatisfied

Intended AudienceThe intended audience is who the author

hopes to reach with his/her writing.

The author’s purpose and author’s tone are designed for a specific audience.

Intended AudiencePolitical Cartoon

Author’s Call to ActionThe author’s Call to Action is what he/she

asks the reader to do based on the information he/she has provided.

It can be concrete (write a letter, protest, join an organization)

It can be abstract (change your views, consider the consequences of your behavior)

Example: The Call to Action in a speech about conserving our natural resources demands the reader to recycle, reduce, and reuse.

Author’s Call to ActionWrite a call to action about the rule against using ipods in class.

What is an author’s claim?

Define claim in your own words.

Textbook Definition of Claim

1. A claim an author makes about how things are and/or should be.

2. Can be stated or implied but is always related to a topic/issue.

3. Is supported by evidence

4. Evidence c`omes in various forms:

-research, statistics, examples, personal experience, anecdotes, and expert opinions

Claim definition continued…

5. Claims take place in context (historical, societal, or political event) and are grounded on certain beliefs and assumptions

6. Claims have purpose – to inquire, to convince or persuade, to negotiate, etc.

ReflectionHow is your definition of a “claim”

different?

How is it similar?

How can you combine the two definitions?

Supporting an ArgumentAuthors support their arguments by

doing the following:Including solid reasons why the

reader should agree with their argument.

Developing these reasons using logos, ethos, and pathos.

The Rhetorical TriangleWe think of a claim as a triangle for a

couple of reasons:A triangle gives a sense of

interdependence. All three aspects of the argument play an equal part.

A triangle is undivided; pathos, logos, and ethos are inseparable from one another and often blend together.

The Rhetorical Triangle cont.

Logos: the appeal of the claim itself – its logic, its consistency, its reasonability

Ethos: the argument’s appeal on basis of the speaker’s position/background

Pathos: the argument’s appeal to the audience through emotion or shared values and beliefs

LogosLogos refers to the appeal of the

argument itself:Are the claims reasonable?Does the evidence support the claims

well?Does the speaker make logical

conclusions?Does she or he address counter-

arguments or other opinions and points of view?

Example: LogosWomen’s Right to Vote:

A woman who is born in the U.S. is a citizen of the U.S. If all citizens have the right to vote, then women have the right to vote.

EthosEthos or the ethical appeal is based on the character,

credibility, or reliability of the writer. Ways authors establish credibility:

Use only credible, reliable sources to build your argument and cite those sources properly.

Respect the reader by stating the opposing position accurately. Establish common ground with your audience. Most of the time,

this can be done by acknowledging values and beliefs shared by those on both sides of the argument.

If appropriate for the assignment, disclose why you are interested in this topic or what personal experiences you have had with the topic.

Organize your argument in a logical, easy to follow manner. You can use the Toulmin method of logic or a simple pattern such as chronological order, most general to most detailed example, earliest to most recent example, etc.

Proofread the argument. Too many careless grammar mistakes cast doubt on your character as a writer.

Ethos cont…A person’s point of view will give him or her stronger

ethos in some cases and less strong in others.

For example: Who has stronger ethos in an argument about

foreign affairs, the President, or a high school student? Why?

Who has stronger ethos in an argument about who should be elected teacher of the year of SYHS, the President or a high school student at SYHS?

A reader should also question the credibility of: Source (newspaper, journal, internet, etc.) Evidence

Example: EthosProtecting Animal Rights:

Testimony from a veterinarian who has researched and done numerous studies on animals’ feelings and behavior VERSUS a butcher who cuts meat as a profession.

PathosPathos, or emotional appeal, appeals to an audience's needs,

values, and emotional sensibility.

Emotional appeals can use sources such as interviews and individual stories to paint a more legitimate and moving picture of reality or illuminate the truth. For example, telling the story of a single child who has

been abused may make for a more persuasive argument than simply the number of children abused each year because it would give a human face to the numbers.

Only use an emotional appeal if it truly supports the claim you are making, not as a way to distract from the real issues of debate. An argument should never use emotion to misrepresent the topic or frighten people.

Pathos cont…An appeal to pathos can be emotional,

moving an audience to anger or tears as a means of persuasion.

An appeal to pathos can stem from:*Shared values between the speaker and

audience*An argument that caters to an

audience’s beliefs

Example: PathosLegalizing Marijuana:

The story of a cancer patient whose suffering has been significantly minimized by the use of medicinal marijuana.

What’s the Point? To show that pathos, ethos, and

logos work together to form credible and effective arguments…