1. Aristotelian Triangle a. k. a
Aristotelian Triangle a.k.a. The Rhetorical Triangle Aristotle was the first to use a triangle to illustrate how these elements of the rhetorical situation are related.

2. created by David Jolliffe http://giddings. edublogs
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3. the context of a rhetorical act (social environment, time period, political environment, events compelling one to respond, cultural or institutional conventions etc.)
Rhetorical Situation
“the interaction between an audience, author, topic, and medium in a specific time and place” (Writing and Place 42)

4. Exigence the event, or lack of, that compels one to speak out
urgent demand for action
Example: 9/11 terrorist attack
- the attack prompted response
- urgent call for action
- rhetoric conveying nationalism and solidarity
- timing was crucial for language’s impact

5. Audience What does the audience already know or think?
What do members need or expect to find out?
What assumptions can be made about them?
What do they value?
How do you want them to react to you and respond to the information you provide?

6. Purpose and Intention the reason for writing or speaking
the aim or goal
related to “exigence” in that something compels the person to strive to achieve a particular purpose
explain? persuade? attack? defend? praise? blame? teach? entertain? enact change?

7. Writer/Speaker/Author
What is the person’s rhetorical stance?
What type of attitude towards topic/audience?
What influences this person?
How much does the person know? Does he/she establish credibility and authority?
What is his/her public reputation?
Does the person make any assumptions?

8. Appeals

9. Pathos (Emotion)
Narrated anecdotes, cases, personal experiences, historical vignettes
Imagery, figurative language
Rhetorical flourishes: repetition, parallelism
Connotational loading
Power? easy to relate to; vivid; concrete; interesting.
Risk? too personal; too narrow; manipulative.

10. Logos (Intellect) using information to appeal to reason
exhibiting one’s knowledge
arguing logically
demonstration of “the truth” (real or apparent)
Within an argument using logos, however, the speaker/writer can be making one or more (sometimes A LOT) of “logical fallacies.”

11. Logos (Intellect) Statistics, Facts, Data, Surveys, Polls, Studies
If-Then Clauses (Syllogisms)
Enumerated Reasons (1-2-3)
Analysis of Case Studies
Power? Credible, authoritative, scientific, "hard data," measurable, quantifiable.
Risk? Cold, detached, impersonal, aggressive, distant; everything in the world is not quantifiable.

12. Ethos (Credibility & Authority)
attempts to establish credibility and authority
proving one is qualified
representation of one’s character
How the speaker/writer’s experience impacts the legitimacy of his or her argument

13. Ethos (Credibility & Authority)
Bible, Quran, Torah, other holy scriptures
References to deity
Codes of Law: Bill of Rights, Constitution, Supreme Court, local laws, ordinances
Speaker is trustworthy, fair-minded and moderate
Speaker's credentials are in order (He has earned the right to address the topic.)
Ex. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

14. Ethos (Credibility & Authority)
Power? establish speaker as credible and fair-minded; audience trusts, does not feel defensive.
Risk? none—remember Aristotle says this is the most essential of the 3 appeals. (Unless audience is filled with folks who do not appreciate fair-mindedness; an audience ready to riot? ex: Brutus vs Marc Antony)

15. Surface Features

16. Style and Format
Diction: word choice; intentionally choosing certain words in order to be effectively persuasive
ex. Obama campaign
Figurative language: stylistic devices, such as metaphors and hyperbole (i.e. exaggeration)
Imagery: visuals; vivid language to represent objects, actions, or ideas; creating images that evoke a certain atmosphere, mood, or tension
Syntax: grammar and sentence structure

17. Diction Is the language as clear as it needs to be for the audience?
What is the tone of the language?
- humorous?
- serious?
- passionate?
- academic?
- sarcastic?

18. Class Activity
You’re purpose is to convince your parents to buy you a car. What are some of the claims you can make to encourage them to buy it for you? After we get some examples up on the board, we will categorize them.