rhetorical devices essay

You will write your own essay this Wednesday.

We will review the three rhetorical devices you need to know

Ethos Pathos Logos Appeal to When you try to use a person’s ETHICS to get them to agree with you. When you try to use a person’s EMOTIONS to get them to agree with you. When you try to use a person’s LOGIC to get them to agree with you.

Choice of Details When you try to use a specific word, image or phrase to get a person to agree with you. Understanding of Audience When you use something you know about the person to get them to agree with you.

How do you write about these devices?

Evidence 1-2 sentences Analysis 2-3 sentences How it supports argument? 2-3 sentences Appeal to ethos or pathos or logos Give the exact quote from the text you will be using. Explain how the evidence is ethos, pathos or logos. Explain how the evidence and the analysis appeals to the OTHER person and might help the argument.

Evidence 1-2 sentences Analysis 2-3 sentences How it supports argument? 2-3 sentences Choice of Details Give the exact word, image or phrase from the text you will be using. What things are associated with the word, image or phrase? How is it being used? Explain how the DETAIL itself and the analysis help the speaker convince the audience.

Evidence 1-2 sentences Analysis 2-3 sentences How it supports argument? 2-3 sentences Understanding of Audience Give the exact quote from the text you will be using. Explain what is known about the audience. How does your evidence relate to that information? Explain how the evidence and the nature of the audience would persuade the audience to agree with the argument.

Standing there she was, giving out little shrill-like sobs; heartbreaking as a mother bird’s that has seen its nest pillaged and its babies all gone. The Sentry argues that Antigone should not be punished.

Choice of Details The sentry describes Antigone as “giving out little shrill-like sobs”. He also compares her to “a mother bird that has seen its nest pillaged”. “Shrill-like sobs” are a type of crying that seems miserable as sobbing usually suggests uncontrolled emotion. An image of a mother having its babies stolen is filled with sadness and loss. The mother must be traumatized that her babies are gone. The sentry uses these powerfully sad details to give Antigone a pathetic and sad characteristic. The Sentry believes they will feel terrible about killing such a pathetic figure and set her free.

Appeal to PATHOS The Sentry compares Antigone to a crying bird that has had its babies stolen from her. Such a comparison should evoke powerful emotions in the people of Thebes and Creon – appealing to their pathos. Just as a mother in mourning is offered sympathy, the Sentry hopes others will feel pity for Antigone and her desperate situation. The sentry appeals to a sense of sympathy in the Chorus and the king. He is assuming that they will change their minds based on their feelings of pity.

Oh, she’s the man, not I, if she can flout authority and walk away unscathed. Creon argues that Antigone must be punished.

Understanding of Audience King Creon explains to the people of Thebes that Antigone will be “man-like” is she is allowed to go unpunished for her crime. The Chorus is made up of men from the city of Thebes. Traditionally, these men would feel that a woman’s place is to obey and not challenge men. Creon uses these feelings to persuade his audience that Antigone must be punished. If she is not, their own social standing will be effected. Such an effect would motivate the Chorus to agree with Creon.

On your green paper…. Please write 2 things you would do differently on this assignment. Turn in the folder.

Get the two Caesar papers. Read the directions. In Calpurnia's speech, please find the quotes you would use for each rhetorical device.

CALPURNIA Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid. CALPHURNIA When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only announce the deaths of princes. CALPHURNIA Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own. We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.

Appeal to Ethos or Pathos or Logos Choice of Detail Understanding of audience Which rhetorical device is it?

CALPURNIA Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid. CALPHURNIA When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only announce the deaths of princes. CALPHURNIA Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own. We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.

Choice of Detail Appeal to Ethos or Pathos or Logos Understanding of audience Which rhetorical device is it? Give the exact quote from the text you will be using. Graves cracked open and thrust out their dead/Clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol

CALPURNIA Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid. CALPHURNIA When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only announce the deaths of princes. CALPHURNIA Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own. We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.

Choice of Detail Appeal to Ethos or Pathos or Logos Understanding of audience Which rhetorical device is it? Give the exact quote from the text you will be using. Graves cracked open and thrust out their dead/Clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol When beggars dies there are no comments in the sky. The heavens only announce the death of princes. Let me on my knees win you to this plan.

Choice of Details Calpurnia describes her dream and includes vivid details such as “graves cracked opened and thrust out their dead.” During the battle in her dream, the “clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol.” Graves are not usually meant to be opened and the idea of this happening is grotesque and terrifying. Adding to the terror is the image that blood was sent down from the sky to drip on the city. There is a feeling that the whole city is taken over by a horrific battle and is bathed in death. Calpurnia's dream details should give Caesar a sense that the city is terrifying and dangerous. This feeling would persuade him that he should not go to city filled with death and instead stay home safely.

Understanding of Audience Calpurnia replies to Caesar's rebuttal that omens can apply to any person by noting that when a beggar dies, there are no signs. Rather, she reminds Caesar, the “heavens only announce the deaths of princes.” Calpurnia knows that Caesar is a powerful general and ruler with a large ego. She tailors her argument to play to his ego by calling him a “prince” and suggesting that the gods are interested enough in his future to send omens. Calpurnia uses her understanding of Caesar’s sense of importance to make her argument. He will be more willing to listen to her if he feels that he is being placed above all other people and the gods care about his well being.

Appeal to PATHOS In a last, desperate attempt to convince Caesar to stay home, Calpurnia drops to her knees and begs, “Let me, on my knees; win you to this plan.” As Caesar’s wife, she knows how to influence her husband’s emotions. She is hoping that her desperation and begging will appeal to Caesar’s sense of pity. Seeing his wife, looking up and pleading with him; Caesar should feel a strong urge to help his wife and take pity on her and her suffering.