Rhetoric Rhetoric- the art of persuasively speaking or writing To be an effective and persuasive writer/speaker: Clearly state the issue and position Give an opinion and support it with facts and reasons Take opposing views into account Use sound logic and effective language Conclude by summing up reasons or calling for action

Ethos Ethos or ethical appeal-convincing by the character and/or the credibility of the author, calls forth the audiences sense of right, justice, and virtue

Ethos example

Pathos Pathos or emotional appeal-appealing to the emotions of the reader, often based on specific examples of suffering or potential threats

Pathos Example Pathos 2

Logos Logos or logical appeal-persuading by the use of reasoning and rational arguments, frequently using facts, statistics, and other forms of evidence

Logos example

Rhetorical Questions Questions that don’t require an actual answer Writers and speakers pose rhetorical questions to show that their arguments make the answers obvious They encourage the listener to reflect on what the implied answer to the question must be

Examples of rhetorical questions: Are you crazy? Can you imagine? What were they thinking?! Who cares? Are you kidding me? How could anyone think cafeteria food is good?! In a candidate’s speech: “Do you want four more years of…?”

Allusion A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance (must be well-known) Ex: Sally had a smile that rivaled Mona Lisa’s Ex: We used to be like the 3 Musketeers. Now we don’t even talk. Ex: He was a real Romeo with the ladies

Repetition and Parallelism Repetition-Repeating a point tells the audience that it is especially important Parallelism- a balance of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses Ex:"...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address