1. American Literature A Unit Three Introduction:
Posing Questions

2. Background Information:
Movement away from Puritan theocracy towards a more organized government of the mid 1700’s
This is an era of Rationalism: a point of view that states that reason plays the main role in understanding the world and obtaining knowledge.

3. Great speakers and writers of this time period:
Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Ben Franklin
Thomas Paine
Chief Joseph (later time period)

4. In order to win over the “hearts and minds” of the American
colonists, speeches and writings
of this time were:
Persuasive: attempted to sway the opinions of the audience
Political: desire to strengthen “America” and move away from British rule

5. Many great speakers would practice rhetoric: The art of effective public speaking
So what are the
components of rhetoric?

6. The Rhetorical Ten

7. SITUATION
Where is the speech taking place?

8. AUDIENCE Who are you talking to?
How does the audience affect your message?

9. PURPOSE Why are you giving the speech?
What is the goal you are trying to accomplish?

10. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Use of similes, personification, metaphors

11. LOGICAL APPEAL Giving reasons in favor of your argument
If / then statements
Logos

12. EMOTIONAL APPEAL
Words and phrases that cause the listener/reader to make an emotional connection.
Words that can make the reader feel fear, love, hate, anger, etc.
Pathos

13. APPEAL TO SPEAKER’S CREDIBILITY
Words, anecdotes, and references that connect the experience and knowledge of the speaker to the purpose of the speech.
The reputation of the speaker.
Ethos

14. CONCESSION to OPPOSITION
Statement of respect to previous speakers who hold a different opinion. EX: “You may disagree, but…”

15. RHETORICAL QUESTION
Question that does not call for an answer because it is obvious, not waiting for audience to respond

16. REPETITION
Simply repeating your thoughts/key points for emphasis.

17. What is rhetorical analysis?
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion.
Analysis is the breaking down of some thing into its parts and interpreting how those parts fit together.

18. The Rhetorical Ten Situation Audience Purpose Figurative Language
Logos (Logical Appeal)
Pathos (Emotional Appeal)
Ethos (Appeal to Speaker’s Credibility)
Concession to the Opposition
Rhetorical Question
Repetition