1. for “The Declaration of Independence”
RHETORICAL DEVICES
for “The Declaration of Independence”

2. What is rhetoric?
The ability to use language effectively in order to persuade the listener or reader. OR
The art of using speech to persuade, influence, or  please.

3. ETHOS: credibility (or character) of the speaker.
Before the writer can convince an audience to accept anything you say, they have to accept you as credible (believable).
There are many aspects to building one’s credibility:
Is the author respectable?
Does the author have good character?
Is the author generally trustworthy?
Does the author exhibit authority on this speech topic?

4. LOGOS: logical argument
Logos is synonymous with a logical argument.
Does the message make sense?
Is the message based on facts, statistics, and evidence?
Will the writer’s call-to-action lead to the desired outcome that he promised?

5. PATHOS: emotional connection to the audience.
Pathos is the quality of a persuasive presentation which appeals to the emotions of the audience.
Do the words evoke feelings of … love? … sympathy? … fear?
Do the visuals evoke feelings of compassion? … envy?
Does the characterization of the competition evoke feelings of hate? contempt?

6. How many rhetorical appeals?

10. rhetorical devices CONTINUED
From the “Declaration of Independence”

11. ANAPHORA
Anaphora: The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several successive verses, clauses, or paragraphs
Example:
“That my heart has been troubled, that I have not sought this nomination, that I could not seek it in good conscience, that I would not seek it in honest self- appraisal, is not to say that I value it the less. ” – A. Stevenson

12. Examples of Anaphora:
Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth Five years have passed; Five summers, with the length of Five long winters! and again I hear these waters

13. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare "And do you now put on your best attire? And do you now cull out a holiday? And do you now strew flowers in his way That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Be gone!"

14. Think about it?
How/why is anaphora an effective mode of persuasion? Why would it be used?

15. Parallel Structure
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance.

16. Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle

17. Which one is parallel?
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

18. Your new training program was stimulating and a challenge.
Your new training program was stimulating and challenging.

19. Group Work: Identifying Rhetorical Devices in the Declaration of Independence
Identify at least one of each in the Declaration of Independence: ethos, pathos, logos, anaphora, parallel structure.
For each, you must identify
a) The device used
b) The example from the text (direct quote), and
c) Why the device is used/the effect of the device.