1. Introduction to Rhetoric
AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
MR. PERRY

2. Three MOST important terms to know in AP Lang:
Argumentation - stating a claim (thesis) and backing it up with relevant and convincing evidence (personal experience/observation)
Synthesis – syn (same) thesis (put forth) argumentation that uses quotes from other reliable/academic sources
Rhetorical Analysis – ana (back, up) lysis (break) analyzing and describing another author’s use of rhetoric

3. RHETORIC
The art of using language to communicate ideas and/or form arguments.
Invented to establish rules of democratic debate

4. The School of Athens - Raphael
Aristotle
Plato

5. Plato’s thoughts… Criticized rhetoric
Plato realized rhetoric could be used to spread lies and misinformation
Thought that its use would weaken society

6. Aristotle’s thoughts…
Encouraged rhetoric
Aristotle believed rhetoric (open discussions and debate about important civic topics) would lead to a stronger, more educated society

7. Who was right, Plato or Aristotle?
Both, depending on where you are, who is speaking, what they’re speaking about, and whether it is the proper time to discuss that topic.
Senator Joe McCarthy vs. Edward Murrow

8. ETHOS
The speaker’s credibility – Is this person an expert? Does he/she have experience with the topic? Is this person’s point of view one that is trusted by others?
TRUST!

9. PATHOS
Use of emotion
Can be positive (inspiring) or negative (fearful)
The best speakers know how to use emotionally charged language to get a specific response from the audience

10. LOGOS Use of logic to form an argument
Facts, statistics, data, survey results, if…then statements, cause/effect
All good arguments will use logical reasoning to support their central claims
All good arguments will also AVOID logical fallacies

11. KAIROS The timing of a speech or debate
If the timing is right, someone’s words can go down in history

12. CICERO
Argued that physical structures (buildings, sculptures, and other man-made items) can be used to spread ideas and reinforce beliefs about society
Image of an entrance to an inner-city high school (source: teacher blog)
Phoenix Union Bioscience High School – Phoenix, Arizona

13. Big Ideas
When reading and analyzing literature, fiction, non-fiction, or any text, it is important to be critical of the author’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos
When writing effective college-level arguments, it’s important to draw from credible sources, and incorporate a variety of emotional and logical appeals

14. Jack and Ralph - Rhetoric
NB Act #2
Two columns labeled Ralph and Jack
Fill up each column with the following:
Ethos – Why to the boys trust this character as a leader? What qualifies each boy as a leader? What claims does each boy make as to why he is a good leader?
Pathos – What emotions does Ralph rely on to maintain leadership and control? How? What emotions does Jack rely on to maintain leadership and control? How?
Logos – What type(s) of logical thinking drives Ralph’s leadership? How? What type(s) of logical thinking drives Jack’s leadership?