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The RhetoricalTriangleUNDERSTANDING SUBJECT, AUDIENCE,WRITER/SPEAKER, CONTEXT, PURPOSE
RHETORIC(n) the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing,especially the use of figures of speech and othercompositional techniquesAddresses the relationship among audience, purpose andspeaker/writerThe context allows the reader to apply backgroundinformation to his or her analysis and understandingRefers to the specific features of texts, written or spoken,which cause them to be meaningful, purposeful, andeffective for readers or listeners.
This triangle will help you rhetorically analyze speeches,
advertisements, essays, etc.
Message/intention
Speaker/Writer:
Who is delivering?
Define Speaker/Writer:
◦ Male/female? Age? ◦ Background? Profession? ◦ Nationality & Ethnicity? Why is it important to know who is writing or speaking? Howdoes this help the reader/listener understand meaning, purposeand analyze the effectiveness of the piece?
Speaker/Writer
Develops a persona:
◦ The ROLE the speaker/writer deems most effective for purpose
and audience Example – President of the United States would adapt a differentpersona for each of these rhetorical situations: -Speaking at an elementary school-Talking with congress about a new policy being considered-Speaking to families who have lost loved ones in war at a Memorial DayService-Addressing a terrorism threat to the country
Persona techniques There are certain techniques a writer/speaker usesto create a persona: ◦ Diction: the words he/she chooses◦ Syntax: the organization and selection of sentences that
he/she uses Think of persona as a metaphorical
mask
that we put on to
meet the needs of our audience and achieve our purpose.
Diction:
What words are used?
The choice of words in oral or writtendiscourse: ◦
Is the diction aggressive? ◦
Is the diction poetic? ◦
Is the diction sympathetic? ◦
Is the diction pretentious? ◦
Is the diction sincere?
Syntax:
How is it organized?
The organization of language into meaningfulstructure – a pattern of words.
◦ Short or long sentences? Or both?◦ Parallelism?◦ Rhetorical questions?◦ Consider the types of sentences used:
A Lesson on Rhetorical Appeals:Ethos, Pathos, Logos PERSUASION
For our purposes -- "Rhetoric" is simply the ways inwhich we try to persuade a given audience, for a givenpurpose. Here are some classic (and some would say less-than-reputable)examples of rhetoric:
When a politician tries to get you to vote for him, he is usingrhetoric. ◦
When a lawyer tries to move a jury, she is using rhetoric. ◦
When a government produces propaganda, it is using rhetoric. ◦
When an advertisement tries to get you to buy something, it isusing rhetoric. ◦
When the president gives a speech, he is using rhetoric.
Three Appeals (from Aristotle)
Logos
(logic) clear, coherent statement of ideas
Ethos
(ethics/credibility) offering evidence that a writer is
trustworthy, well-educated, believable who has the best interest of thereader in mind^ Pathos
(emotions) “feelings” as the writing relates to emotions
and interests.- All words come from Greek
Ethos (Character & Credibility)
Ethos:
Appeal to our desire
that the speaker/writer be an ethical person
the source's credibility, the speaker's/author'sauthority
Why it Works:
^
We tend to believe people that we respect, trust, and like. Reader Response: “I like and trust this person. He really seems like he
knows what he is talking about, and I don’t think he would bedishonest.”
Ethos Strategies •
Make the reader respect you.^ ▫
One strategy: Admit that you do not know everything or that you can’t magicallymake everything better. ▫^
“I don’t have all the answers.” “I’ve made my share of mistakes.”
Make the reader like your character or personality.^ ▫
One strategy: Using humor to increase your likability and reliability.
Make the reader trust and believe you.^ ▫
Emphasizing your training and/or you direct experience with the topic. ▫^
Ex. “I’ve been teaching for 10 years…” ▫^
Ex. “I’m not a professional mechanic, but I’ve worked on cars in my spare time foryears. That sounds to me like the timing belt is loose.” ▫^
Ex. Emphasize the ways you and your audience are similar. (Background, concerns,etc.)
Use vocabulary and grammar appropriate to your audience.^ ▫
Ex:. Speaking casually with your peers, and formally with yourboss or grandparents.
Ethos Example:
Product: George Foreman and his Grilling Machine
Credentials: Boxing Champ and a Preacher
Do these ads rely more on Foreman’s credibility (his expertise ongrilling and small appliances) or on character (he has a goodreputation as a preacher and a famous athlete, he wouldn’t bedishonest)?
What is another example of a person using ethos to increase theappeal of their argument?
Pathos Strategies
Loaded, Emotionally-charged language(positive or negative connotations) ▫
Personal narratives (anecdotes) of emotional events ▫
Vivid description ▫
Makes the reader feel a particular emotion.(The advertisements for a product make you feel happy, so you come toconnect happiness with the product. That little connection can be enough tomake you pick it up instead of the competing product when you are choosingat the store.)
Now, you try it!
Matching
Homicide, robbery and arrest rates in 2005 were actually lower than they were in 2003.
This is no time to let down our guard on community violence," Dr.Satcher said. "Even so, our recent success in developing knowledgeand tools to prevent serious violence gives us reason for optimism.“
Dr. Satcher, the Surgeon General for the United States, has writtenan article examining community violence.
_______ ethos
______logos
_____pathos
Reading for Ethos
Intelligence: indicated by experience or credibility
Convincing? ◦ Based on ideas that make sense? ◦ Ideas follow each other in a logical manner? ◦ Has the writer overstated the case using inappropriateexaggeration? ◦ Has the writer allowed for doubts and uncertainties? ◦ Has the writer allowed for contrasting viewpoints?
Reading for Pathos Emotional appeal which motivates andmoves readers.
Does the writer rely more on emotion than logicto advance argument?
Does the writer motivate and move his readershonestly or does he manipulate with emotion?
Reading for Logos Claims of fact and true argumentation
◦ Is the information verifiable?◦ Is the information objective?
Name that appeal!
Name that appeal!
Name that appeal!
