What are Rhetorical Strategies?

1. What are Rhetorical Strategies?

2. Persuasion • The type of speech or writing, usually non-fiction, that attempts to convince an audience to think or act in a particular way. • (To persuade is to change one’s perspective)

3. Argument • A statement of opinion about a problem or an issue and the support for the statement. Argument (Proposition) Evidence (examples, facts, expert opinions) Reasons (explanations)

4. What is rhetoric? And why bother studying it? • “the art of effective expression (speaking & writing) and the persuasive use of language” • We study rhetoric because: • it helps us to better appreciate appeals to our ethos, pathos, & logos (more on this to come) • it helps us to become more effective persuasive speakers and writers

5. Here is a real-life example of rhetoric in action… • If you were trying to persuade a student to get to class on time, you might say, “it is WHS policy that students serve detention after three tardies”. What makes this statement effective? • What could you use to persuade the students?

6. Ethos, Pathos, LogosPersuasive Techniques • Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that there are three basic ways to persuade an audience that you are right.

7. Ethos • Persuasive appeal of ETHICS/one’s character. Tells us that the author is reliable and competent • Example: “I am a father, a taxpayer, and have served you as senator for 20 years. I deserve your vote to continue my service. AK Senator Hollis French

8. Pathos • Appeal to EMOTIONS (of course, meant to evoke emotional response) • Example: “Imagine for a moment a tragic collision on the Parks Highway. A family is killed and many others are injured. The cause is determined to be frost heaves. We must use more state funds to pay for road improvements.”

9. Logos • Appeal to LOGIC/reason (evokes a rational response) • Example: “Alaska’s roads are in a state of disrepair. Without quality roads, our transportation system will falter and hinder our economy. Hence, we must use more state funds to pay for road repairs.”

10. Rhetorical Strategies • The strategies that follow are just some of the ways to make your writing/speaking more persuasive…

11. Parallel Structure • Parallel Structure-repetition of grammatically similar words, phrases, clauses, or sentences to emphasize a point or stir the emotions of a reader/listener. Used to create a sense of rhythm, balance, and order in writing or speech. • Chiasmus=“inverted parallelism” (i.e. eat to live, not live to eat)

12. Parallel Structure The coach told the players: “You will get some sleep tonight, you will not eat too much right before the game, and you will do some warm-up exercises before the game.”

13. Rhetorical Question • Rhetorical Question-question not answered by writer b/c the answer is obvious or obviously desired. Used in persuasion to encourage the reader/listener to reflect on what the answer must be. • “How much longer must our people endure this injustice?”

14. Allusion • Short, informal reference to famous person, event, story. Relies on reader/listener to be familiar with the reference and hidden meaning. Used to stimulate ideas, associations, add extra information. • If I want to persuade you to wash your hands, I may say “thou shalt wash thy hands”. I am trusting that you respect the commandments and, hence, my statement.

15. Analogy • Comparison between two things that are alike in certain respects. Used in persuasion to demonstrate the logic of one idea by showing how it is similar to an accepted idea. • (“Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them reveal the riches within.”-Sydney Harris)

16. Alliteration • Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Used to call attention to a phrase and fixes it in the reader’s/listener’s mind. • (i.e. “Let us go forth to lead the land we love.”- John F. Kennedy Inaugural speech)

17. Humor • Humor can be used to make you like the writer/speaker and “win you over” • Hyperbole-exaggeration for emphasis/effect (“at night she needs a paint scraper to take off her makeup”) • Sarcasm (“Obama doesn’t have the experience of being Miss Wasilla!”) • Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) (“it is ironic that the window store had all of its windows broken by vandals”) • Understatement (From Monty Python: Army officer loses a leg, “Stings a bit.”)

18. Audience • When attempting to persuade, consider your audience. • For example, you would not use caustic satire to persuade a potential employer to hire you. • (“The food served here is great if you are a teenager with two dollars in your pocket.”)

19. Active Voice v. Passive Voice • Active Voice- The boyhit the ball. The subject of this sentence actively hits the ball. • Passive Voice- The ballwas hit by the boy. The subject sits passively, doing nothing while some outside agent performs the action.

20. Fact and Opinion • A fact-a statement that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt (Example: Barak Obama is the current president of the United States. (fact) • Opinion- a personal interpretation of belief (Example: Cedar Hill ISD has the best track team in Dallas/Ft. Worth. (opinion)

21. Substantiated and Unsubstantiated Opinion • Define the word: Substantiate/ Unsubstantiated • Which can be debated or argued? • A. Wednesday is the fourth day of the week. • B. Wednesday feels like the longest day of the week.

22. Substantiate(Opinions) • To substantiate you can: • Verify facts • Use examples • Use statistics • Get an expert opinion • Use anecdotes