Rhetoric Lesson #2

Writing Tip of the Day #1 – Active vs. Passive Voice  Active voice: Subject of the sentence conducts the action (simple subject-verb construction)  Ex: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.  The quick brown fox [subject] jumped [action] over the lazy dog [object].

Writing Tip of the Day #1 – Active vs. Passive Voice  Active voice: Subject of the sentence conducts the action (simple subject-verb construction)  Ex: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.  The quick brown fox [subject] jumped [action] over the lazy dog [object].

 Passive voice: The subject of the sentence is acted upon.  Ex: The lazy dog was jumped over by the quick brown fox.  The lazy dog [object] is jumped [action] over by the quick brown fox [subject].

Is this sentence active or passive? The new book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was read by my brother in one day.

 Revised for active voice: “My brother read the new book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in one day.”  More often than not, use active voice so that the subject of your sentence does the action. It makes your sentences clearer and simpler to say.

 Passive voice: The subject of the sentence is acted upon.  Ex: The lazy dog was jumped over by the quick brown fox.  The lazy dog [object] is jumped [action] over by the quick brown fox [subject].  More often than not, use active voice so that the subject of your sentence does the action. It makes your sentences more clearer and simpler to say.

What is rhetoric?  How would you define it?  What does it entail?  Does it have any positive or negative connotations?

Usually, rhetoric is defined as the art of communication.  Consists of the functional aspect of writing  Also understood as a mode of argument  Most importantly, rhetoric is about ACTION  For all these reasons, rhetoric is everywhere

Successful writers must understand their rhetorical situation.  Rhetoric involves four elements: writer, reader, text, and medium.  Also involves Kairos, or “timeliness”  Analyze your rhetorical situation consciously before putting words on paper

One of the great, eternal commandments of writing: KNOW THY AUDIENCE.

Aristotle’s Three Appeals  Logos : appeal to reason  Pathos : appeal to emotion, values, and beliefs  Ethos : appeal to the credibility of the author  Consider these three appeals before addressing an audience

Rhetorical Appeals Group Activity  Which appeals would you use in each situation to persuade your audience?  Situation #1 – Your teacher is about to fail you unjustly  Situation #2 – You want to get back together with your boyfriend or girlfriend  Situation #3 – Your boss at work asks you why you should get a raise

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