Rhetoric, Persuasion & Nationalism

What is persuasive about this advertisement? The study ranks these based on how well they were liked…why do you suppose # 1 is so well received?

Rhetoric is used, among other things, to PERSUADE The study of the effective use of language; the ability to use language effectively Rhetoric is used, among other things, to PERSUADE What does that mean?

Persuasion Writing or speech meant to get readers or listeners to think or act in a certain way. Appeals to emotions or reason Offers opinions Urges action Backed up with evidence and support

Persuasive Techniques The Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that there were three basic ways to persuade an audience: ethos, logos, and pathos.

Ethos: The Writer’s Character or Image Greek for “custom; habit” Established by Aristotle as the knowledge or expertise a person appears to have about the subject. Writer’s ethos is created largely by word choice and style.—Often uses the appeal—do this or be branded as “bad” or “sinful” This does not mean going through the thesaurus to find difficult and unusual words. It means using what you know to create an academic paper with a formal wording and style. Things to think about— What kind of image do you want to project to the audience? What can you do to help project this image? What words or ideas do you want to avoid? What effect do misspelled words and grammatical errors have on your image?

Review Rhetorical Techniques Rhetorical Questioning: asking a question whose answer is self-evident Restatement: repeating an idea in a variety of ways Repetition: restating an idea using the same words Parallelism: repeating grammatical structures Antithesis: use of strongly contrasting ideas, words, or images

Logos: Logical Arguments Greek for “logic, thought, word” etc. If…then syllogisms (deductive reasoning) ex. All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Usually based on probabilities rather than certain truth. Persuasion to a large extent involves convincing people to accept our assumptions as probably true—preparing the audience to accept your own contrary position ex. If students were required to spend two years in the military after graduation then they would be more productive members of society because they would learn discipline and responsibility as well as appreciation for liberties often taken for granted. **NOTICE: this is a “probability” but the writer never questions themselves by saying “probably.” Half of persuasion is convincing the audience that you are the authority.**

Pathos: The Emotions of the Audience Emotional appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of ways: by metaphor or story telling or imagery by a general passion in the delivery and an overall amount of emotional items in the text of the speech, or in writing. The use of emotional appeals to alter the audience's judgment. A common use of pathos in argument is creating a sense of rejection if the audience doesn't agree. Many refer to Pathos as the "band-wagon" appeal, or trying to convince the audience to join in on the speaker's belief. This is a major theme used in any form of propaganda (everyone believes in this so you should too)

Pathos, Logos, and Ethos Describe what pathos is. Describe what logos is Describe what ethos is. Identify whether this is ethos, logos, or pathos When we get into arguments that focus and fully engage our attention, we become avid seekers of relevant information.  Otherwise, we take in information passively--if we take it in at all. Christopher Lasch, "The Lost Art of Political Argument" IF we get into arguments that focus and fully engage our attention, THEN we become avid seekers of relevant information.  Otherwise, we take in information passively--if we take it in at all. Christopher Lasch, "The Lost Art of Political Argument" Logos: If…then…

What would inspire you to fight for your country? Explain in 2-3 sentences

Nationalism loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests. In literature it is the literary movement that refers to the development of our New Nation Approximately 1750-1800

Why do we need persuasive documents?

When Analyzing persuasion look at… Speaker Audience Occasion means of persuasion (such as logical, emotional, or ethical appeals)

Background Paine met Ben Franklin in London—they became friends and affected American history as a result. How so? Common Sense : published in 1776 Americans must FIGHT for their own independence Entitled The Crisis to inspire and increase the morale among troops—what war? Argued: revolution is inevitable

Purpose Paine’s main purpose was to inspire Americans into action. To Teach To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

Charged Word Words that arouse intense emotion and connotative concrete images. Liberty

Charged Words Word Associations Liberty Justice Honor Barbarous

Aphorism Meaning? Purpose? Brief pointed statement that reveals a wisdom of some kind Ideas are like children; there are none so wonderful as your own. Meaning? Purpose?

Aphorisms Aphorism Meaning Purpose The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph Through the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire. It matters not where you live, or what rank of life you hold, the evil or the blessings will reach you all.

What would inspire you to fight for your country? Paine’s words aroused passion Positive Negative Good and bad, positive and negative, his rhetoric made a difference. He used restatement, repetition, parallelism and antithesis throughout his essay which we are going to look at here.

Rhetoric Device Example from text Purpose Repetition Restatement Parallelism

Diction Word choice! Purpose?

The Declaration of Independence is one long persuasive essay: Preamble: Introduction w/ thesis statement Philosophical foundation: Examples: what do we believe? List of Grievances: Specific evidence/proof Explanation of previous actions: Explain the proof Resolution: conclusion, what are we going to do about it?

The declaration is HIGH TREASON, punishable by death! “Had we lost the war they would have been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered and, my personal favorite, had their entrails cut out and burned.” --Ben Gates, National Treasure EVIDENCE AND STRUCTURE IS NECESSARY; THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT.

Purpose Declaration’s main purpose was to inspire Americans into action. To Teach To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

The Declaration of… You.

Create your own declaration for the clan of your choosing or imagination. Name of your rebel clan: Students of West Forsyth Name the members of your rebel clan: Under the leadership of…

The Introduction—this statement should establish the purpose of seeking freedom and the credibility of the freedom seekers (your rebel clan). We the students of West Forsyth declare our freedom from any and all homework assignments as set forth by the tyrannical school teachers.

How is rhetoric used to persuade? Explain your answer, OR ask me a question to help clarify.

Faulty Parallelism A police officer must uphold the law by patrolling the streets, controlling traffic, catch criminals, and arresting law-breakers. catching How does this sentences display faulty parallelism?

How does parallel structure improve your work? No Parallelism Parallelism employed A police officer has many duties. A police officer must uphold the law by patrolling the streets, controlling traffic, catch criminals, and arresting law-breakers.

Types of parallelism Adjectives Understood “is” Parallel words: He has called together legislative bodies at places, unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records. Parallel phrases: He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. Parallel clauses: The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Adjectives Infinitive Phrases Understood “is”