Introduction to Rhetoric English 10A Mrs. Lorntson

What is Rhetoric? “The art of speaking or writing effectively” Or, getting what we want by using language

Other Arts Besides Rhetoric Flirting: getting what we want by using eye contact, body language, etc. Politics: getting what we want on a national level (much of politics is rhetoric) Diplomacy: getting what on an international level (also uses much rhetoric) War: getting what we want on an international level through the use of force Civil Disobedience: getting what we want through nonviolent protest

Two Parts of Rhetoric Rhetorical Strategies: what we use in an argument and how we organize Argument/evidence Order Diction Tone Stylistic Devices: added touches that improve the presentation Figurative language Allusion Sentence structures

Sometimes, Rhetorical Strategy and Stylistic Devices are lumped into one term… Rhetorical Devices.

Anyone play poker? Rhetorical Strategy = How you play Hold, fold, bet, check, etc. Stylistic Devices = Extra Body language, table talk, sunglasses, etc.

English 9 vs. English 10 English 9: What’s going on? English 10: Rhetorical analysis What is the point of the piece? What is the author’s purpose? What rhetorical strategies are used? Is the work effective?

Story Time! The Three Little Pigs

Other Elements of Rhetoric The Three Main Players Writer Reader Subject What does the author focus on? Writer = Expressive writing Reader = Persuasive writing Subject = Expository writing

Other Elements of Rhetoric, Cont. Modes of Development: How the writer presents information Description: uses vivid imagery, paints a picture Narration: tells a story Classification: divides an idea into sub-categories Evaluation: analysis with support

The End Any Questions?