The Rhetorical Triangle

1. This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items. Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation • In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button • Select “Meeting Minder” • Select the “Action Items” tab • Type in action items as they come up • Click OK to dismiss this box • This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered. The Rhetorical Triangle Mrs. Agee AP English Language & Composition

2. Why do we argue? • To inquire • To assert* • To dominate* • To negotiate For this class, you will argue to assert and dominate.

3. 3 Contexts to Consider When Arguing • Historical Context • Cultural Context • Rhetorical Context

4. HISTORICAL CONTEXT • Historical context is the moment at which an argument is being made • “kairos”—the opportune moment for making a speech • EX: High gas prices over the summer provided an opportune time to address alternative fuel sources • Anniversary of MLK Jr.’s speech was perfect moment for Obama to accept the democratic presidential nomination • -Acquittal of George Zimmerman prompted discussions on gun control, “stop and frisk” program, and racial profiling

5. CULTURAL CONTEXT • What influences you and society? • Religious background • Social class • Gender • Sexual orientation • Nationality • Racial/ethnic diversity • Region • Age

6. What is Rhetoric? • What is said • Who is saying it • Who is listening • Where / when it is being said • Why it is being said • How it is being said

7. What is the Rhetorical Triangle? • Shows the relationship between speaker, audience, message, style, purpose, tone • Understanding these rhetorical elements makes both writing and analysis much clearer

8. The Rhetorical Triangle Message Tone Style Speaker Purpose Audience

9. The Author / Speaker • Gender / racial / geographical orientation of author • Author Bias / hidden agenda • Other important biographical information may affect text

10. The Audience • Are they friend or foe? (hostile or sympathetic) • How will they receive the message? • How will they affect tone / style? • Who is the intentional audience? • Who is the unintentional audience?

11. The Rhetorical Purpose • Under what circumstances is the author addressing his/her audience? • In other words, what is going on in the world at the time this text was composed, and how do those events affect the text? • What does the writer/speaker want to happen as a result?

12. The Message • What is the main point being made? In other words, what is the writer’s / speaker’s thesis? • Look at the message as an argument / position being sold to the audience. What is the author trying to convince the audience of?

13. The Tone • What is the author’s attitude about his / her subject / message? • What words in the message let you know the tone? • How does the selection of the tone affect the audience’s reception of the message?

14. The Style • What strategies does the author employ in order to get his / her message across? • These strategies may include: ethos, logos, pathos; organization; diction; syntax; figurative language; grammatical structure; selection of details; imagery

15. Summary • Remember – it is not one of these elements of the rhetorical triangle that can be used to analyze a text; it is the relationships between these rhetorical elements that composes the meaning we get from a text! • True analysis is not only the what, but also the who, the why and the how!

16. Rhetorical Modes • Narration • Description • Comparison/Contrast • Classification & Division • Definition • Process • Cause/Effect • Persuasion

17. General Rules for Composing an Argument

18. 1. Determine premises & conclusion • determine what you are trying to prove and what your conclusion is • the statements that give your reasons are called premises • the conclusion is the statement for which you are giving reasons

19. 2. Present your ideas in a natural order • 2 common ways to organize: • State your conclusion first, followed by your premises • Set out your premises and draw the conclusion at the end In any case, present your ideas in an order that unfolds your argument most naturally for the audience.

20. 3. Start from reliable premises • Your reasons should be taken from well-known examples from informed authorities who are in agreement • If unsure of a premise, you will need to research to provide backing. • If you cannot argue adequately for your premise, you need to find another reason!

21. 4. Be concrete and concise • Avoid abstract, vague, and general terms • Be concise. Airy elaboration loses everyone is a fog of words.

22. 5. Avoid loaded language • Do not make your argument look good by mocking or distorting the other side. • Always figure out the opposition’s reasons first so that you understand how to effectively argue against it. • Avoid emotionally-charged words—do not let the overtones of the words do the work as they do not present actual reasons for your argument

23. 6. Do not use personal attacks • A personal attack only proves that you have no logical argument to make. • Personal attack = loss of argument