1. The art of using language effectively to persuade
Rhetoric
The art of using language effectively to persuade

2. Tools of Rhetoric Parallelism Repetition Rhetorical Questions
Loaded Questions
Reverse Psychology
Logos
Pathos
Ethos

3. Parallelism
The repetition of grammatical structures to express ideas that are related or of equal importance
“Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more
“Have you climbed up to walls and battlements, To tow’rs and windows, yea, to chimney tops.”

4. Repetition
The use of words and phrases more than once to emphasize ideas
“Therein, ye gods you make the weak most strong; Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat.”
“For Brutus is an honorable man…And Brutus is an honorable man…”

5. Rhetorical Questions
Questions that require no answer, thus making the speaker’s rightness seem self-evident
“Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves? Alas, you know not!”
“Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face?”

6. Loaded Questions
Questions that limit the possible responses from the answerer or that assume the answer to a prerequisite question
“Who will join my tribe and have fun?”
“Do you understand what you did wrong?”
“Would you rather be a Roman or a slave?”
“Would you rather not leave or stay here?”

7. Reverse Psychology
Saying the opposite of the desired result to elicit the desired result
One who wants the company of another by “playing hard to get”
“You should quit school! That way you can make half as much as a graduate, become a slave to addiction, burden society, and limit your horizons!”
“Good friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny.”

8. Logos
The use of logic, facts, statistics, reasoning, cause and effect, denotation, literal and historical analogy, and sequiturs.
All humans are mortal. Since Michael is human, then Michael is mortal.
Humans see % of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Because Caesar refused the crown, he could not have been ambitious.

9. Pathos
The use of emotion, loaded language, connotation, vivid description, narration of emotional events
“During partial birth abortion, the doctor punctures the baby’s skull with seven-inch surgical scissors and suctions out the brain.”
“Forgive me, my heart is in the coffin with Caesar.”
“Maybelline. Because you’re worth it!”

10. Ethos The use of credibility, institution, fraternity
A guest speaker whose profession involves what she speaks about.
A mechanic with 30 years experience.
A priest who tells you to protest military funerals because it’s the moral thing to do.
Brutus saying that the conspirators do not need an oath because Romans always do what they say.
A counselor saying, “I’ve been there.”

11. Synecdoche When part of something is used to refer to the whole thing
“All hands on deck!”
“Lend me your ears!”
Describing a complete vehicle with “Nice wheels.”
Referring to your clothing as “threads”
Using “glasses” instead of “spectacles”

12. Idiom
An common expression that has a figurative meaning that nonetheless derives from the manner in which the saying was first intended
“A dime a dozen” – anything that is common and easy to get
“Place to hang you hat” – home
“Greek to me” - not understood
“Itchy palm” – expecting money

13. Theme A broad idea, message, or moral about a story
The message the author wants the reader to take away from the narrative
Universal human truth
Ex. “Slow and steady wins the race” or “Unchecked passion and impulsiveness leads to destruction”