The Art of Persuasion Artistotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher who studied under Plato. His discussion of rhetoric contributed lasting ideas about the methods of persuasion.
Rhetoric Persuasion The art of using language effectively and persuasively. An appeal to an audience.
Ethos Logos, and Pathos Elements identified by Aristotle as appeals necessary to effectively persuade an audience. (It is used in many settings every day! Yes…even by you! )
ETHOS The establishment of the credibility of the author or speaker. (related adjectives: believable credible trustworthy ethical) The establishment of the credibility of the author or speaker. It is about the character of the person delivering the message.
Methods of establishing ethos. References to one’s status, accomplishments, education, or experience. Affiliation with a person of great respect. Allusions to respected persons, events, things. Symbolism.
Pathos An appeal to the audience’s emotions. (related words: Sympathy Empathy) An appeal to the audience’s emotions.
Methods of establishing pathos (Evoking emotional interest) Use of … figurative language such as metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole vivid imagery emotional anecdotes vivid, connotative language
Logos An appeal to reason (related words: Logical Reasonable . Logos (related words: Logical Reasonable Deduction)
Methods of developing logos. Use of … credible facts and statistics. deductive and inductive reasoning citation of credible sources analogies Methods of developing logos.
DEDUCTION –General to specific reasoning Famous syllogism: All men are mortal Socrates is a man. Socrates is mortal.” Haemon reasons this way: All men make mistakes Creon is a man. Creon can make a mistake.
Definitions of Literary Terms Related to Rhetoric
Allusion Reference to well-known work of literature, person, place, thing, or event. fromCreon’s opening speech: “By the merciful wisdom of heaven….”
METAPHOR A comparison between two things that are different, but have something in common. “Our ship of state has come to safe harbor at last…” Creon referring to Thebes as a ship that has weathered storms.
ANALOGY EXTENDED METAPHOR Haemon compares Creon’s inflexiblity to a tree that cannot bend…thus is torn up in a storm. Haemon compares Creon’s inflexiblity to a sail with no slack which leads to a boat being capsized
Simile A metaphor that uses specific words to express comparison. Like/As/Resembles
Personification Giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea.
HYPERBOLE Overstating of an idea. exaggeration
Symbol A person, place, object or action that stands for something beyond itself.
IMAGERY Words and phrases that appeal to the five senses. Creon’s words: “…he who came with fire and sword…to spill the blood of his blood….”