‘Waxing’ Rhetoric A Student’s Guide to All Things Rhetorical

What Is Rhetoric Anyways? Rhetoric is the art of using language effectively Study of rhetoric goes back to Ancient Greece (Aristotle, Plato and the Sophists) Most often used in writing essays, editorials, and speeches, where the writer wants to create an effect on the reader or listener

Look For and Create F ocus – main argument/controlling idea of essay O D P Organization – organizational pattern Development – rhetorical strategies and devices Purpose – 4 main rhetorical modes In Each Essay You Read and Write!

“Purpose” - The 4 Rhetorical Modes There are four main “classic” types of non-fiction writing or “Rhetorical Modes.” They represent the writer’s overall ‘purpose’ in writing the essay. Rhetorical ModePurpose 1.NarrationTo tell a story 2.DescriptionTo create a sensory picture for the reader 3. ExpositionTo inform the reader (explain a topic) 4. Argument/PersuasionTo convince the reader of a particular point of view

“Organization” - Organizational Patterns Used to organize in writing in the exposition or argument and persuasion modes More specifically, they help to prove or develop the essay’s thesis, or the main argument/controlling idea the essay wants to communicate

So...What Are These Patterns? Process analysis Classification and Division Comparison and Contrast Causal Analysis Definition

Ack! I Need A Visual! Rhetorical Mode Expository Pattern Rhetorical Strategies Rhetorical Devices ESSAY

Rhetorical Strategies and Devices Rhetorical Strategies and Devices are techniques used to help persuade an audience. E.g.: Statistics Anecdotes (short narratives) Citing reliable sources Referring to or quoting a respected authority Anticipating opposing arguments (you say; I say) Creating a straw-man argument (easily defeated) Rhetorical questions (They’re great, aren’t they!) More To Come!