Rhetorical Analysis Review Elements Appeals Devices

Rhetoric Definition: The art of speaking, writing and communicating effectively. Purpose: Rhetoric is a tool writers and speakers use in order to influence the judgment or feelings of the readers and listeners.

Review of Rhetorical Elements

S - Speaker Who is the writer/speaker/author? What are his credentials/ background / authority? What is his stance (position)? Curious? Opinioned? Passionate? Indifferent? Something else?

O – Occasion Circumstances that created the need for the text When? Where? What caused the writing to happen? What’s the broader issue, the big picture? The immediate situation? Atmosphere Attitudes Current events Cultural beliefs Geographic location

A - Audience Who is the intended audience? Are you a member of that group? If not, you should plan to look up unfamiliar terms/concepts

P - Purpose WHY does the text exist? What is the writer’s goal? What does he want to achieve? Entertain? Inform? Persuade? Describe What does he want you to think or to do now?

What is the text about? S - Subject Specific / general? Current / timeless?

T - Tone Attitude of the speaker/author Helps to determine what the author means Methods the speaker might use Diction (choice of words) Syntax (sentence construction) Imagery Metaphors Similes Figurative language

G - Genre What is the medium/genre the text is written in? Speech? Essay? Letter? Book – fiction/nonfiction? Web? Ad? Publisher / Sponsor? Date of publication? Reputable? Credible?

Rhetorical Appeals - Let’s Review http://www.shmoop.com/video/ethos-pathos- logos

Using the appeals to persuade Video link

Can some advertisements have more than one appeal? Yes! The more appeals used in an ad the more likely the consumer is to connect with it. For the purposes of this lesson, select the predominant appeal used in each ad.

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Ethos, Pathos, or Logos?

Rhetorical Devices

Allusion Literary, historical, religious, or mythological REFERENCE to something well-known by many. Ex: “…yourselves from those narrow prejudices which you have imbibed with respect to them and as Job proposed to his friends, ‘put yourself in their souls stead,’…” Job- who suffers a great deal but remains faithful; from an OT character whose faith in God was tested by Satan; though he lost his family and belongings, he remained patient and faithful

Connotation Denotation IMPLIED, underlying meaning of a word DICTIONARY DEFINITION of a word

Diction WORD CHOICE High level, low level, emotional, vehement, etc.

Hyperbole EXTREME EXAGGERATION Look, there’s an allusion too!

Imagery SENSORY DETAIL to evoke feeling or emotion or to describe; the 5 senses Ex: “Her cheeks were rosy and so was my love – bursting with fragrance and softness.”

Irony AN IMPLIED DIFFERENCE VERBAL: Difference between what is said and what is meant SITUATIONAL: Difference between what you are led to expect and what actually happens DRAMATIC: Difference between what one character knows and what the audience knows (We know something the character does not know.) Clarification: If I say, “Gee, I really wish it would snow,” and it starts snowing immediately, that is apropos (too perfect). It is NOT ironic. (There is no DIFFERENCE between what I wanted and what happened.)

Metaphor Comparison without using LIKE or AS Direct: A sea of troubles OR Indirect: His depression was vast, swelled by troubles that perpetually crested and fell.

He is as pretty as your mom. Simile comparison using LIKE or AS He is as pretty as your mom.

Symbolism Ex: Golden Arches represent McDonald’s person, place, or thing that REPRESENTS something Ex: Golden Arches represent McDonald’s 2ND PERIOD STOPPED HERE.

Syntax The way words and sentences are arranged Sentences can be short and choppy or long and flowing. Pay close attention to the punctuation. 29

It all fits together – and overlaps!

Speaker/ Ethos Purpose Audience/ Pathos Subject/ Logos Occasion/ context Occasion/ context Purpose Audience/ Pathos Subject/ Logos Occasion/ context