Introduction to the Rhetorical Triangle, SOAPSTone, the Rhetorical Appeals, and the Rhetorical Modes

What is rhetoric? Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations.

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle Speaker Context Purpose Tone Audience MediumSubject

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S is for Speaker The voice that tells the story. The author and the speaker are NOT necessarily the same. An author may choose to tell the story from any number of different points of view. In non- fiction consider important facts about the speaker that will help assess his/her point of view/position.

O is for Occasion The time and place of the piece; the context that encouraged the writing to happen. Writing does not occur in a vacuum. There is the larger occasion: an environment of ideas and emotions that swirl around a broad issue. Then there is the immediate occasion: an event or situation that catches the writer’s attention and triggers a response.

A is for Audience The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. The audience may be one person, a small group, or a large group; it may be a certain person or a certain people.

P is for Purpose The reason behind the text. Consider the purpose of the text in order to examine the argument and its logic. You should ask yourself, “What does the speaker want the audience to think or do as a result of reading this text?”

S is for Subject The general topic, content, and ideas contained in the text. You should be able to state the subject in a few words or a phrase. The speaker will frame the subject in a specific way.

T is for Tone The attitude of the author. The spoken word can convey the speaker’s attitude, and, thus, help to impart meaning, through tone of voice. With the written work, it is tone that extends meaning beyond the literal. Tone can be determined by examining the author’s diction (choice of words), syntax (sentence construction), and imagery (vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses).

Some words that describe Tone ZealousApatheticReticent Condescending Conciliatory Complimentary RemorsefulResignedNostalgic Self-Deprecating DetachedHaughty SardonicSarcasticIrreverent See tone sheet for other words….

Rhetorical Appeals In order to persuade an audience Aristotle believed that the speaker must appeal to the audience’s: ethos logos pathos

Ethos = Character Speakers and writers appeal to ethos, or character, to demonstrate that they are credible or trustworthy. Appeals to ethos often emphasize shared values between the speaker and audience. Often speakers can establish ethos through their reputation.

Example of Ethos A speaker who is a psychologist specializing in alcoholism making a speech on the negative effects of alcohol. Can you think of another example?

Logos = logic Speakers and writers appeal to logos by offering clear, rational ideas. To appeal to logos, speakers must have a clear main idea (thesis) with specific details, examples, facts, and statistical data. Speakers can also appeal to logos by acknowledging a counterargument by anticipating objections or opposing views.

Example of Logos According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current life expectancy in the United States is 78.7 years.

Pathos = Emotion Speakers and writers appeal to pathos by using language (figurative language or personal anecdotes) that engages the emotions of the audience. Note that exclusively relying on pathos is rarely effective.

Example of Pathos When you consider voting to reduce the welfare budget, envision little Sally who goes to bed hungry at night and goes to school hungry in the morning.

Audience Exercise Role-play #1 Characters: Teenager and Parent Teenager: Pretend that you don’t have a cell phone. Try to convince your parent to buy you one. Parent: Don’t give in too easy.

Audience Exercise Role-play #2 Characters: Teacher and student Teacher: You must convince your student Suzie who excels in English to take AP English next year. She is rather hesitant because of the work load. Suzie: You must be very reluctant.

Rhetorical Modes Narration To tell readers a story about your subject, possibly to enlighten readers or to explain something to them Example: In Dillard’s “The Chase,” a man chases a group of children after they throw a snowball at his car.

Description To help readers understand your subject through the evidence of their senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) Example: My best friend has long, dark hair that smells like fresh coconut. Her skin is the color of caramel. Etc….

Example or Exemplification To explain your subject with instances that show readers its nature or character Example: Margaret is hot tempered. She showed this last night when she yelled after her mother accidentally burned the cookies she made for her.

Comparison & Contrast To explain or evaluate your subject by helping readers see the similarities and differences between it and another subject Example of subject-by subject: Obama’s foreign policy Bush’s foreign policy Example of point-by-point: Foreign policy in Israel Foreign policy in Middle east

Process Analysis To inform readers how to do something, how something works, or how a sequence of actions leads to a particular result Example: In order to register to vote, one must first…..One must then…..Last, one must…

Classification or Division To help readers see order in your subject by understanding the kinds or groups it can be sorted into Example: There are two main political parties in the U.S. The first is the Republican party. The second is the Democratic party. ***What follows each is an explanation of the party.

Cause & Effect To tell readers the reasons for or consequences of your subject, explaining why or what if Example: Smoking can lead to lung cancer and emphysema.

Definition To show readers the meaning of your subject (its boundaries and its distinctions from other subjects) Example: Love is devotion, trustworthiness, and self-sacrifice.

Argument or Persuasion To have readers consider your opinion about your subject or your proposal for it Example: People are all born with guilt. ***What follows is an essay that proves this to be true.