RHETORIC

1. RHETORIC WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE Source: Paula Carbone – APSI San Marcos 2008

2. ARISTOTLE (traditional thinking) “The faculty of discovering in the particular case what are the available means of persuasion” “Rhetoric is making the truth effective.” DONALD BRYANT (modern definition) “for the promulgation of information, ideas, attitudes…for a realized and usually specific audience.” What is Rhetoric?

3. Rhetoric in AP Rhetorical Perspective Citizen Rhetorician Rhetor

4. Rhetorical Perspective • The ‘Art’ of rhetoric presumes an inherent talent or ability to synthesize - speaking, writing, effective expression • Scientific skill studies the structure and style of writing: systematic, theoretical, descriptive

5. Rhetorical Perspective • Assure that readers understand the message, respect opinions, and if possible agree with stance • Move beyond writing as process of rules [i.e. grammar] and methods

6. Rhetorical Perspective • Attends to relationship of the writer and the reader [speaker & listener] • Any writing or speaking (not just persuasive/argumentative) adjusts to audience & occasion

7. Aristotelian Rhetorical Triangle-modified Context/Exigence Circumstances which influence the interaction • Speaker • Formal/informal language • Voice/persona • Audience • Speculate about reader’s expectations, knowledge or disposition on the subject • Subject • Investigates perspectives • Determines kinds of evidence most useful

8. Aristotelian Rhetoric - Appeals • In order to make the rhetorical relationships successful, appeals used • LOGOS – clear, reasonable premises and proof; ideas developed with appropriate details • ETHOS – writer is credible, goodwilled, and knowledgable; connect to reader’s own ethical or moral beliefs • PATHOS – draw upon emotions and interests readers; most powerful and most immediate appeal

9. Citizen Rhetorician • Informed about the issues of the day • Able to take a stance and support it on issues of the day • Able to counter argue opposing views • Understand how arguments have changed over time on issues

10. Citizen Rhetorician • Enters into a conversation on the issues of the day • Acknowledges previous arguments and stances • Add own stance and argument

11. Students must know HOW to use overall effective expression both in verbal and written form Students must know THAT certain ways of speaking and writing produce certain effects due to certain theories that explain rhetorical ability Rhetor

12. Rhetor Plans and organizes Chooses Structure, Tone, Style, etc. To best address audience Knows how message will be received

13. Five Canons of Rhetoric • Invention • Arrangement • Style • Memory • Delivery Muse of Rhetoric - Polymnia or Polyhmnia

14. Invention • Finding ideas - linked to Memory • Topics (Invention) were about CONTENT & used as subject matter or prefabricated arguments inserted into arguments as needed becoming STOCK ARGUMENTS, ETC. • Topics (Invention) were abstract & analytical, used to investigate and question any subject

15. Invention • Topics were logical and non-logical • Memory used as technique to memorize long speeches for delivery • If TOPICS (Invention) are analytic and abstract [non-logical] , must use mental process to realize the TOPICS (This is inferred-cannot see what goes on in the brain.)

16. Static Description Definition Division Exemplification Classification/Division Comparison/Contrast Progressive Narration Process Cause & effect Syllogistic progression (traditional persuasion) Invention: Logical Topics

17. Invention: Non-logical Topics • Imagining • Symbolizing • Free association

18. Invention: Composing • Imagination used for non-logical topics • Logic/reason used for logical topics (Most ‘Academic’ writing tasks) • COMPOSING: Know purpose & end result Filling in details requires choices (in structure/organization, word choice/diction, choice of support/details, and how these are put together/syntax) Memory part of choice

19. Arrangement • Ability to grasp organizational pattern • Conceptual Structure: • Analysis • Comparison • Classification • TASK in AP class: Recognize and describe--THEN TELL HOW IT SUPPORTS & REVEALS THE MEANING

20. Arrangement • Underlying arrangement has a relationship with delivery • Delivery is division of rhetoric concerned with the manner it is given • When written discourse overtook spoken, delivery minimized • Arrangement of text part of delivery when structure is analyzed: also punctuation, spelling, indentations, etc. to format

21. Style • Only as good as supporting the meaning: not just an embellishment • After invention; after ideas from invention put into formal pattern of arrangement • Must connect to interpretation (literary context)

22. WRITING How they are used to create discourse through conscious choices to enter a conversation with the reader ANALYSIS How they work together to reveal choices made to support purpose The 5 Canons in high school

23. Writing & Rhetoric “Adapting ideas (invention), structure (arrangement), and style of a piece of writing to the audience, occasion, and purpose for which the discourse is written” Richard L. Larson

24. Rhetoric & Writing Decisions Choices While planning & writing