The art of using language effectively to persuade Rhetoric The art of using language effectively to persuade

Tools of Rhetoric Parallelism Repetition Rhetorical Questions Loaded Questions Reverse Psychology Logos Pathos Ethos

Parallelism The repetition of grammatical structures to express ideas that are related or of equal importance “Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more “Have you climbed up to walls and battlements, To tow’rs and windows, yea, to chimney tops.”

Repetition The use of words and phrases more than once to emphasize ideas “Therein, ye gods you make the weak most strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.” “For Brutus is an honorable man…And Brutus is an honorable man…”

Rhetorical Questions Questions that require no answer, thus making the speaker’s rightness seem self-evident “Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not!” “Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?”

Loaded Questions Questions that limit the possible responses from the answerer or that assume the answer to a prerequisite question “Who will join my tribe and have fun?” “Do you understand what you did wrong?” “Would you rather be a Roman or a slave?” “Would you rather not leave or stay here?”

Reverse Psychology Saying the opposite of the desired result to elicit the desired result One who wants the company of another by “playing hard to get” “You should quit school! That way you can make half as much as a graduate, become a slave to addiction, burden society, and limit your horizons!” “Good friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny.”

Logos The use of logic, facts, statistics, reasoning, cause and effect, denotation, literal and historical analogy, and sequiturs. All humans are mortal. Since Michael is human, then Michael is mortal. Humans see .00005% of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because Caesar refused the crown, he could not have been ambitious.

Pathos The use of emotion, loaded language, connotation, vivid description, narration of emotional events “During partial birth abortion, the doctor punctures the baby’s skull with seven-inch surgical scissors and suctions out the brain.” “Forgive me, my heart is in the coffin with Caesar.” “Maybelline. Because you’re worth it!”

Ethos The use of credibility, institution, fraternity A guest speaker whose profession involves what she speaks about. A mechanic with 30 years experience. A priest who tells you to protest military funerals because it’s the moral thing to do. Brutus saying that the conspirators do not need an oath because Romans always do what they say. A counselor saying, “I’ve been there.”

Synecdoche When part of something is used to refer to the whole thing “All hands on deck!” “Lend me your ears!” Describing a complete vehicle with “Nice wheels.” Referring to your clothing as “threads” Using “glasses” instead of “spectacles”

Idiom An common expression that has a figurative meaning that nonetheless derives from the manner in which the saying was first intended “A dime a dozen” – anything that is common and easy to get “Place to hang you hat” – home “Greek to me” - not understood “Itchy palm” – expecting money

Theme A broad idea, message, or moral about a story The message the author wants the reader to take away from the narrative Universal human truth Ex. “Slow and steady wins the race” or “Unchecked passion and impulsiveness leads to destruction”