1. The Protest Letter 10 September 2014 Antonian College Prep Ms. Trevathan’s English III AND PERSUASIVE RHETORIC

2. Agenda What is Rhetoric? How can I identify and use Persuasive Rhetoric? How do structure my letter? Is there an outline or map to follow? Styles of persuasion 3 BASIC APPEALS: Logical, Emotional, Ethical What are the guidelines and/or requirements? How should my letter look (form)?

3. Persuading your audience with RHETORIC Rhetoric is the art of communicating ideas. Persuasive rhetoric consists of reasoned arguments in favor of or against particular beliefs or courses of action. To be effectively persuasive, a work has to engage both the mind and the emotions of its audience, making them think that the problem is important enough for them to care how it is, or if it is, resolved.

4. To be effective, YOU should… Clearly state the issue and a position Give an opinion and support it with facts and reasons Takes opposing views into account (anticipate naysayers) Use sound logic and effective language Conclude by summing up reasons and/or call to action.

5. Styles of Persuasion Go beyond “PLEASE!” (see p. 260) Elevated Language uses formal words and phrases that lend a serious tone to discussion/issue Rhetorical Questions - You remember the definition, don’t you?! Repetition and repeating the point tells the audience that it is especially important. ◦ Parallelism is a form of repetition.

6. 3 Basic types of Appeals Logical appeals provide rational arguments to support writer’s claims (see p. 260 for deductive and inductive reasoning). Emotional appeals appeal to emotion and are based on specific examples of suffering or potential threats and can include “loaded language” Ethical appeals are based on shared moral values and call forth the audience’s sense of right, justice, and virtue.

7. Guidelines for Letter (form) 1 to 2 pages Formatted like a letter – NOT double- spaced like a paper Multiple paragraphs Must be addressed to, and aimed at, a real entity, person, company, or organization

8. Let’s look at an example Must have appropriate heading: formal name AND title and mailing address inc. city, state, zip. Establish reason for letter in a thesis- like fashion. FACTS generally work better than emotional appeals. Solid rhetoric and reasoning in body paragraphs(s). Closing with a re-emphasis of your points and reasoning. Be polite, but assertive. Sign with polite, professional closure: Sincerely