Traditional Models of Rhetoric
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Traditional Models of Rhetoric How people have argued
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Traditional Models of Rhetoric. How people have argued. 1. Oral tradition. Probably the oldest format of argumentation Seemingly a basic and simple form of discourse “Publication” happened at public functions (Take, for example, Mark Antony’s speech in Julius Caesar.) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Traditional Models of Rhetoric
Traditional Models of RhetoricHow people have argued
1. Oral traditionProbably the oldest format of argumentationSeemingly a basic and simple form of discourse“Publication” happened at public functions (Take, for example, Mark Antony’s speech in Julius Caesar.) Kairos becomes important. (Warning: Video clip contains a real-life hostage situation)We can see the Rhetorical Situation (Audience, Stance, Purpose, etc.)
Logos, ethos, and pathos
Aristotle, the philosopher and master arguer, said logos, ethos, and pathos are the three basic ways to persuade the audience.To this day, many rhetoricians still use these three points to make up the “rhetorical triangle.”
LogosAppeal to logic. Not always sound logic.
EthosThe credibility and reputation of the speaker in relation to the audience.
PathosThe emotional appeal
Other spoken rhetorical devices
Language: Are these provocative words?Tone: Well, you just have to see it really. Stories: A way to humanize and contextualize...Metaphor: Is this really about Santa Claus?
2. Written traditionAudience is still an issue. Who is the readership?Not everyone can write (or is literate) Publication comes through publishing houses and printing pressesCirculation still relies on oral tradition (dubbed as “word of mouth”)
Why write instead of speak
Time to reviseCreate a more unshakable personaIs Obama really a good speaker or does he have good writers?Can be harder to take out of contextHas permanence Not everyone can write
3. It’s about powerFew people can command the traditional rhetorical stages. Elections still rely heavily on traditional modes of discourse. It’s an easy way to create a dichotomy—an “either-or” situation or an “us vs. them” mentality. Audience’s love it because it is simple.Problem is that dichotomies suck and real issues are never fully discussed.
Moving beyond the dichotomy
Use a heuristic approach.A line of questioning that invites us to see our rhetorical topic from new perspectives.
Why a heuristic?Well, I’m not filling out every slide for you. Tell me! Why?Hint: This is where those filters come in handy.
