Tone practice Bellwork #1 Context: you want to ask someone to review/look over something you’ve put together. Very informal (friends): Informal (parents): Formal (teacher): More formal (principal/boss): Highly formal (professor/president):

The Rhetorical Triangle

The Rhetorical Triangle Also referred to as the Aristotelian Triangle Interaction among subject, speaker, and audience (reader) as well as how this interaction determines the structure and language of the argument. Speaker Audience Subject

Through the Writer’s Lens… Skilled writers consider this interaction as they are developing an essay, speech, letter, or other text. First a writer or speaker will choose a subject and they must: - Evaluate what they already know and need to know - Investigate perspectives - Determine kinds of evidence or proofs that seem most useful.

AUDIENCE Then they must consider their audience by speculating about the reader’s: expectations knowledge and disposition with regard to the subject writers explore.

Examples What does the audience know about the subject? What is the audience's attitude toward it? Is there common ground between the writer’s and reader’s views on a subject? * Each audience requires the writer to use different information to shape their argument effectively.

SPEAKER Writers use who they are what they know and feel and what they’ve seen and done to find their attitudes toward a subject and their understanding of a reader. The use of experience and observation brings Aristotle to the speaker point of the triangle Now that the writer has considered the context, purpose, subject, and audience, he/she can assume the appropriate persona.

The way a speaker relates to the audience is manipulative The creation of that voice Aristotle called the persona: the character the speaker creates when he or she writes or speaks -- depending on the context, purpose, subject, and audience. Examples: Are you speaking as a poet, comedian, or scholar? Are you speaking as an expert in a field, a critic, or concerned citizen? Are you speaking as a literary critic?

Decisions… As a result of considering their speaking voice on the page they will also decide on a variety of other factors. Whether or not to use: - Formal or informal language Very informal – like you talk with your friends Informal – like you talk to you parents/guardian/maybe teachers in conversation Formal – like you’d speak with a teacher More formal – like you’d speak with a boss or principal Highly formal – like you’d speak on an interview of with the principal - Use of narrative or quotations - A tone of familiarity or objectivity

Model Application: Health Eating Subject: Healthy Eating Audience: Elementary school children Speaker: a nutritionist

Model Application: Eating Healthy Context: occasion/place – health class Subject: Healthy Eating Purpose – Encourage kids to make healthier choices What I know – most children favor sugary foods, vegetables are not the most popular choices, eating habits are developed early. What I need to know – If the listener has tried eating certain vegetables, what has been done in the past to encourage him/her Examples/Proof that will support my position - Research shows that eating healthy directly correlates with energy and performance levels, children can grow their own vegetables and enjoy them with the family, etc.

Audience: Elementary aged students Expectations – Might anticipate an ultimatum, negative approach. Might look up to the speaker. Knowledge of the subject – yucky, necessary evil, not as fun to eat, cruel and unusual punishment Expected disposition – initial refusal, intrigued, nervous. Speaker: a nutritionist Language – Informal so as not to be intimidating, to be accessible and clear. Tone: Genial or welcoming “We can all grow big and strong if we stay healthy and eat vegetables with the family.”

Why is it all so important? How you say it, is what you mean. Aristotle’s triangle is how to determine the way you say it. If you don’t understand and consider all the components, you’ll never convince your reader.

The Rhetorical Triangle Subject HW: Notes for today. Continue R.D. #1 Review for Vocab #1 Logos Tone Style Ethos Pathos Speaker Audience Purpose