INTRODUCTION TO RHETORIC & ARGUMENT Honors English 11 / MS MEYER

RHETORIC – WHAT IS IT? Aristotle's definition: “the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” Our definition: meaningful, persuasive argumentation. This can come in many forms  speeches, advertisements, movies, political cartoons, visuals, fiction texts, poetry, and nonfiction (any cultural text). Audience: the people being manipulated. The group who needs to change how they think or feel. Are we the audience?

Become a detective – look for the manipulation Become a detective – look for the manipulation! Don’t be somebody’s ploy! OCCASION  the circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes and events surrounding the text PURPOSE  the speaker’s goal (you can interpret multiple purposes but always choose one to focus on)

The Rhetorical Triangle  an interrelated concept SPEAKER  Person who created the text (often has a persona) Audience  The listener, viewer, or reader (may have multiple audiences). The speaker needs to relate to them in order to manipulate them. Subject  the topic. Do not confuse with purpose. SOAPS  Always brainstorm this before you even begin picking apart a text piece by piece.

MANIPULATION IN COMMERCIALS (the more obvious = the weaker the text is) Michelin Tires  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=498z- z7Nieo Pedigree  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ_vc v5I_KA&list=PLngHCyu6kPEC- 1pBBWT3TY3zm8vYzmDpH

APPEALS – ETHOS, LOGOS, & PATHOS Speakers use these to persuade audiences. Rhetorical Devices (your vocab) can impact appeals. Ethos (speakers show credibility and trustworthiness; sometimes automatic) Logos (appeal to reason/logic) Pathos (appeal to emotions) The best writers/speakers will use a combo of all three appeals. What happens if you use mainly Ethos? Logos? Pathos?

Appeals Chart Pathos (Emotion) Logos (Logic) Ethos (Credibility) Humor Facts Celebrity endorsements Anecdotes/stories or testimonials Statistics & data Relevant biographical information Drawing from religion or spirituality Definitions of terms Experience and authority (status) Imagery/vivid descriptions or images Drawing from philosophy & logic Use of credible sources Powerful diction If, then statements Appropriate language Figurative language Cause and effect Appropriate tone Personal connections Counterargument and rebuttal Emphasizing shared values

APPEALS IN COMMERCIALS Identify which appeal the following commercial relies on and whether it is effective or not. 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfAxUpeVhCg&list=PLUt _PBZQzj_D7wPfnSX-m9Ho1pfcq_CgG 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PplMjgh_QlM&index=3& list=PLUt_PBZQzj_D7wPfnSX-m9Ho1pfcq_CgG 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0KmvWL6Dfw&index=5 &list=PLUt_PBZQzj_D7wPfnSX-m9Ho1pfcq_CgG

Devices Cheat Sheet Rhetorical devices impact an author’s appeals. They can strengthen (or weaken) an appeal. Remember, however, that not every device needs to correlate with an appeal. Devices can be persuasive tools all on their own. Devices cheat sheet.

Rhetoric in Queen Elizabeth’s Speech In the 1500s there was a major rivalry on the seas between the ships of Britain and Spain over control of trade in the New World. King Philip II of Spain decided to settle the question once and for all by invading and conquering England itself. Philip assembled a huge fleet of warships known as the Spanish Armada and in 1588 sailed into the English Channel. Below are the words Elizabeth spoke when she visited her troops in the field as they prepared for this battle. We will analyze this little speech for SOAPS, rhetorical appeals, and devices.

My loving people, we have been persuaded by some, that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject; not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

MLA FORMAT: Crash Course 1st Page formatting: Do this for every major essay or typed project/assignment. http://i0.wp.com/jerz.setonhill.edu/wp- content/uploads/2011/05/Screen-shot-2011- 05-29-at-4.11.21-PM.png?resize=500%2C234 Font, header, left-side info, title format, spacing between lines