1. M. Ray AP English Lang English III
Intro to Rhetoric
M. Ray
AP English Lang
English III

2. What is Rhetoric? What do you think of when you hear that word?
Rhetoric—being able to observe and use the available means of persuasion

3. The Aristotelian Triangle
To understand rhetoric, you must consider the CONTEXT of a piece.
Context=Speaker, Audience, Situation

4. The EFFECT Every piece of writing has an EFFECT.
Effect=Purpose, Theme, and Tone. (the ABSTRACT)
Tone=the writer’s attitude (Note the words and style of the piece—the CONCRETE.)

5. Consider Context and EFFECT
Cover letter accompanying job application
Scholarship essay
Campaign speech

6. TONE Tone=the writer’s attitude
Think tone of voice—it can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Important to the intended EFFECT of the piece because it helps you to understand more about the author’s purpose and the characters’ motivations.