Rhetoric

Three Reasons for Writing 1.To Inform (Expository) 2.To Persuade (Persuasive) 3.Entertain (Narrative or Poetry)

Writing to Inform Often called expository writing. Expository writing shows or explains facts. Examples: Biography of Barack Obama News report about a shooting Note to a friend Essay about “killer bees” Remember: Expository = Expose

Writing to Persuade Attempts to influence the reader. Usually makes an argument. Examples: Political speeches Advertisements A cover letter for your resume An essay urging readers to recycle

Writing to Entertain Narratives: stories. Have a beginning, middle, and end A story may have a lesson, but the author’s main purpose is to entertain. Examples of Writing to Entertain Harry Potter books Poems about love Script for a TV show

What is Rhetoric?

Definition of Rhetoric Rhetoric (n) - the art of speaking or writing effectively. Content = WHAT Rhetoric = HOW

Rhetoric is HOW we give the impressions we give. HOW we say what we say, do what we do, write what we write. Rhetoric is all around us in conversation, in movies, in advertisements and books, in body language, and in art. We employ rhetoric whether we’re conscious of it or not...

The goal of persuasion is to change others’ point of view or to move others to take action.

Aristotle and The Art of Rhetoric: Aristotle ( BC: Greece) He was a philosopher. a person who offers views or theories on prof ound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle: Aristotle believed that to make convincing arguments, writers needed to look at three elements: the speaker’s persona, the audience, and the subject matter. Writers must take into account all three--they are connected and interdependent.

What is logos, ethos, and pathos? Logos = Logic, Reason, Facts Ethos = Ethics, Image, Credibility Pathos = Emotions (Passion)

Logos, Ethos, Pathos Using logos, ethos, and pathos will help you to master the art of persuasion. Through language, you will be able to change the point of view of others! Through language, you will be able to motivate others to take action!

Logos Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason. Using logos means appealing to the readers’ sense of what is logical.

Logos Example Eighty percent of the writers interviewed said they write at least four rough drafts before they publish a piece of writing.

Ethos Ethos is an argument based on character. Using ethos means the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s sense of ethical behavior. The writer or speaker presents him or herself to the audience as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.

Ethos Example: “Doctors all over the world recommend this type of treatment.” “Because I have a degree in History and Education, I know what should be taught in a history classroom.”

Pathos Pathos is an argument based on feelings Using pathos means appealing to readers’ emotions and feelings.

Pathos Example The orphaned child sat, weeping, on the sidewalk as her only friend, her dog, lay dying from being hit by a car. She thought back on all the good times they had with each other. She thought about the time, on a hot sunny day, they had shared an ice cream. She hadn’t cared that no one wanted her, she knew she would always have her dog…until now.

Review Logos = logic Logos is an argument based on facts, evidence and reason. Using logos means appealing to the readers’ sense of what is logical.

Review Ethos = Ethics / Image Ethos is an argument based on character. The writer or speaker presents him or herself to the reader as credible, trustworthy, honest and ethical.

Review Pathos = argument based on feelings Using pathos means appealing to readers’ emotions and feelings.