Intro to Rhetoric Rhetorical Devices

Rhetoric is Everywhere Rhetoric is all around us: in conversations, movies, advertisements, books, body language, and art. We employ rhetoric all the time, whether we are conscious of it or not. Becoming conscious of how rhetoric works can make us more successful by transforming how we speak, read, and write. Being able to identify and use rhetoric makes us more competent communicators and more discerning audiences.

Varying Definitions Aristotle: “Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” By observing communication around you, you can develop sound and convincing arguments. There are 3 elements that impact our use and identification of rhetoric: The subject, the audience, and the speaker.

Considering the Subject, Audience, Speaker The writer/speaker must evaluate what they already know about the topic and what they need to know. Includes conducting research into the subject, stating a claim, and supporting the claim with evidence. Considering the audience: Speculate about the reader’s expectations, knowledge, and disposition toward the subject. Responding to an assignment or prompt. Considering the speaker: The writer/speaker uses their personality, voice, and knowledge of literary technique to establish their persona. Decisions about formal/informal language, use of narrative or quotations, tone of familiarity or objectivity, etc.

The Rhetorical Appeals Logos, Pathos, Ethos

Logos The writer/speaker appeals to the reader’s sense of logos when they use logic in their argument. Offers clear and reasonable premises Develops ideas with appropriate details Makes sure readers can follow the progression of ideas As a student, you have been encouraged to use logos the most in your writing because you are frequently asked to include statistics, quotes, and hard facts/evidence to support your writing.

Pathos The writer/speaker draws on the emotions and interests of the readers when they use pathos. Using personal stories or observations, loaded language, and/or descriptive imagery to provoke a sympathetic reaction in the audience. Pathos is the most powerful and immediate appeal because of its emotional nature, but is also the weakest appeal when used alone. Advertisers and marketing teams rely heavily on pathos to sell their product or service.

Ethos When a writer/speaker uses ethos, they establish their credibility as an authority on the subject. They attempt to gain the audience’s trust by showing that they are someone to be believed. Show that they are credible, good-willed, and knowledgeable about their subject. They connect their thinking to the ethical or moral beliefs of readers. An emphasis on good character means that audiences can assume the best intentions and the most thoughtful truths about an issue. In student work, use of research and quotations are both logos and ethos, because they are demonstrating to their teacher that they are being thoughtful, meticulous, and hardworking.

What does the image of the suit convey?