Rhetoric

1. Rhetoric Origins & Devices

2. Rhetoric • Aristotle (384-322 BC) student of Plato is considered the father of the modern study of rhetoric • Definition: • The art of speaking or writing effectively • The study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion

3. The rhetorical triangle/pyramid Logos • Logos – appeal to logic • Pathos – appeal to emotions • Ethos – appeal to ethics Pathos Ethos

4. The appeal to reason (Logos=Logic) Most of us rely a good bit on our ability to think, so most persuasive attempts appeal on some level to reason. It may seem obvious to say so, but one powerful way to appeal to reason is to give examples. Let's say, for example, that I am arguing in favor of capital punishment. I might find out about two or three particularly despicable criminals, tell my readers about them, and then argue that they deserve to die.

5. The appeal to reason (Logos=Logic) On the other hand, let's say that I am arguing against capital punishment. I might find out about two or three people condemned to die who turned out to be innocent, tell my readers about them, and then argue that while capital punishment may be appropriate in extreme cases, we should ban it when we can not be one hundred per cent certain that the people we are executing are guilty.

6. John Proctor’s use of Logos/Logic… Proctor tries to achieve understanding amongst parties in discussion by pointing out simple facts. He does so particularly effectively with Rev. Parris in Act I when Putnam is getting pushy. Putnam tries to throw his land weight around to get his way and Proctor reminds him: You cannot command Mr. Parris. We vote by name in this society, not by acreage.

7. The appeal to emotion (Pathos=Emotions) While it is probably a mistake to appeal only to the listeners' or readers' emotions, an appeal to emotions--to patriotism, love of family, belief in fair play, and so on--can be a powerful means of persuading an audience. For example, the picture of a starving child may be more likely to move someone to send in a check for famine relief than all the statistics in the world.

8. The appeal to emotion (Pathos=Emotions) The appeal to emotion--fear in particular--carries the day in The Crucible. At the end of Act Three, with Abigail and the other girls screaming maniacally at her, Mary Warren cannot hold out any longer and lies to save her neck.

9. www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6jns7g2VqI

10. The appeal to ethics-Ethos Judgment based on the ethical standing or opinion--of the character--of the speaker or writer. In other words, whether our listeners or readers are persuaded may depend in part on how they feel about us. Although this is the appeal on which we usually spend the least amount of time, it is important that our listeners or readers see us as caring and reasonable people who have struggled to find the truth and are honestly and open-mindedly sharing what we believe.

11. The appeal to ethics-Ethos In The Crucible, given the "invisible" nature of the evidence, this appeal is crucial. Thus John Proctor's church attendance is relevant--and his charge of adultery against Abigail a crippling blow to her credibility.