I F I C AN S TOP O NE H EART F ROM B REAKING E MILY D ICKINSON If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. Read the following poem and complete the following: Translate the poem into your own words. Look at the words in the poem. What is the tone? What is the mood? Why do you think the Dickinson wrote the poem? What is the central idea? Come up with a theme.

W HAT ARE R HETORICAL S TRATEGIES ?

W HAT IS RHETORIC ? A ND 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

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 LSHS policy that students receive ISS after three tardies”. What makes this statement effective?

The statement sounds formal and authoritative! It is also logical.

E THOS, P ATHOS, L OGOS Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that there are three basic ways to persuade an audience that you are right.

E THOS Persuasive appeal of 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

P ATHOS Appeal to emotion (of course, meant to evoke emotional response) Example: "I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering…” Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream”

L OGOS Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason. It makes sense 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.”

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W HICH A PPEAL IS U SED ?

R HETORICAL S TRATEGIES The strategies that follow are just some of the ways to make your writing/speaking more persuasive…

P ARALLEL S TRUCTURE 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.

P ARALLEL S TRUCTURE 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.”

R HETORICAL Q UESTION 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?”

A LLUSION 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.

A NALOGY 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)

A LLITERATION 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)

A UDIENCE When attempting to persuade, consider your audience. (“The food served here is great if you are a teenager with two dollars in your pocket.”)