The Language of Composition Chp. 1 pg An Introduction to Rhetoric: Using the “Available Means”

Rhetoric my notes from text (your notes should look like mine &/or can include more detail) D1: thoughtful, reflective activity leading to effective communication, including rational exchange of opposing viewpoints D2: the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. – Developed by Greek philosopher Aristotle ( B.C.E.) – Appeal to an audience – Resolve conflicts w/o confrontation – Persuade readers/listeners to support position – Move others to take action

Key Elements: Rhetoric is always situational Context: the occasion or the time and place it was written or spoken – Consider bias Purpose: a goal that the speaker or writer want to achieve – Is the speaker trying to win agreement\ – Persuade us to take action – Evoke sympathy – Make someone laugh – Inform – Provoke – Celebrate – Repudiate – Put forth a proposal – Secure support – Bring about a favorable decision

Appreciation Day Speech of baseball player Lou Gehrig Context: – Literally: Delivered the speech between games of a double header – More significantly: poignant contrast between the celebration of his athletic career and the life- threatening diagnosis he had received Purpose: – Remain positive, by looking on the bright side—his past luck and present optimism—and downplaying the bleak outlook

Effectiveness Thesis: A clear and focused statement – Main Idea: – Claim – Assertion “luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Subject: – Baseball in general, the New York Yankees in particular Speaker/Persona: – Champion baseball player, not a polished orator or a highly sophisticated writer; he presents himself as a common man, modest and glad for the life he’s lived.

Audience: – His fans and fellow athletes, those in the stadium, as well as those who will hear speech afar (radio), and people rooting for him on and off of the field Speech: – Plainspoken – Positive appreciation for what he has had – Champion’s courageous acceptance of the challenges that lie before him

Rhetorical (Aristotelian) Triangle Speaker SubjectAudience

Ethos Tone:

Logos Assumption: Counterarguement:

Pathos Notations: Propagandistic: Polemical:

Einstein’s letter Rhetorically effective? Subject: Speaker: Audience: Context: Purpose: Appeals to Logos: Appeals to Pathos: Appeals to Ethos: