Rhetorical Analysis Understanding Rhetoric Copyright © 2008 Laying the Foundation, Inc., Dallas, TX. All rights reserved. Visit: www,layingthefoundation.org

Rhetoric is: using words for a purpose ; often this purpose is to persuade. using words for a purpose ; often this purpose is to persuade.

Why study rhetoric? Help make you aware of how and why messages influence you Help you contribute more effectively and conscientiously in what you buy, for what or whom you vote, and how you speak in your community Better able to understand and respond to important issues and concerns

Rhetorical Skills Reading to understand the main and supporting points and to analyze the decisions and purpose for a specific audience Planning and writing compositions, not just writing Being able to examine a situation and determine what has been said/written, what remains unsolved, and what you might say or write to persuade readers to take action

When studying rhetoric, students should analyze the arguments of others (rhetorical analysis)  analyze the arguments of others (rhetorical analysis) and write their own arguments (persuasive writing).  write their own arguments (persuasive writing).

ethosethos logoslogos pathospathos Aristotle taught that in argumentation, there are three main strategies for appealing to the audience:

Logos “Logos (Greek for ‘word’) refers to the internal consistency of the message—the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence. The impact of logos on an audience is sometimes called the argument’s logical appeal.” “Logos (Greek for ‘word’) refers to the internal consistency of the message—the clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence. The impact of logos on an audience is sometimes called the argument’s logical appeal.” [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ] [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ]

Pathos “Pathos (Greek for ‘suffering’ or ‘experience’) is often associated with emotional appeal. But a better equivalent might be ‘appeal to the audience’s sympathies and imagination.’ An appeal to pathos causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer’s point of view—to feel what the writer feels….Pathos refers to both the emotional and the imaginative impact of the message on an audience, the power with which the writer’s message moves the audience to decision or action. “Pathos (Greek for ‘suffering’ or ‘experience’) is often associated with emotional appeal. But a better equivalent might be ‘appeal to the audience’s sympathies and imagination.’ An appeal to pathos causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer’s point of view—to feel what the writer feels….Pathos refers to both the emotional and the imaginative impact of the message on an audience, the power with which the writer’s message moves the audience to decision or action. [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ] [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ]

Ethos “Ethos (Greek for ‘character’) refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. Ethos is often conveyed through tone and style of the message and through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views. It can also be affected by the writer’s reputation as it exists independently from the message—his or her expertise in the field, his or her previous record or integrity, and so forth. The impact of ethos is often called the argument’s ‘ethical appeal’ or the ‘appeal from credibility.’” “Ethos (Greek for ‘character’) refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. Ethos is often conveyed through tone and style of the message and through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views. It can also be affected by the writer’s reputation as it exists independently from the message—his or her expertise in the field, his or her previous record or integrity, and so forth. The impact of ethos is often called the argument’s ‘ethical appeal’ or the ‘appeal from credibility.’” [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ] [The above text drawn verbatim from Ramage, John D. and John C. Bean. Writing Arguments. 4th Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998, ]

What does the author/ speaker/ cartoonist/ filmmaker/ advertiser want the reader/ listener/ viewer to Feel? Feel? Think? Think? Do? Do? At the core of rhetorical analysis is purpose.

An appeal to logic can be created by using facts as evidence facts as evidence research/ statistics research/ statistics quoted authorities quoted authorities cause and effect cause and effect analogies/comparisons analogies/comparisons common sense/shared values common sense/shared values precedent precedent

An appeal to the emotions can be created through Connotative diction, imagery, or figurative language Connotative diction, imagery, or figurative language  Anecdotes, examples, images that evoke an emotional response  Carefully crafted syntax (sentence patterns)

An Ethical Appeal can be created by Making qualified claims (perhaps, sometimes, etc.) Making qualified claims (perhaps, sometimes, etc.) Restating opposing views accurately and fairly Citing relevant authorities and allusions Using first person plural pronouns (we, us) Stating qualifications for expertise

Appeals to the Audience Logos – appeals to an audience’s logic Ethos – offers evidence that he/she is credible Pathos - draws on the emotions and interests of the audience Writers seldom use only one. A single sentence can appeal to all three.

Once students understand the basic appeals, they can learn to analyze the rhetorical devices that help create these appeals. Rhetorical Device: any device of language that writers/ speakers use to persuade their audience. Note: Anything we might call a “literary device” can be called a “rhetorical device” when it is being used to persuade.

Speaker’s Persona Aristotle referred to the character that readers could discern from the writer’s/speaker’s words, arrangement of ideas, and choice of details. Persona was the mask that ancient Greek actors wore. The mask you wear as a writer doesn’t hide you – it meets them head on and interacts with them purposefully and effectively. Your persona is usually one who is educated, considerate, trustworthy, and well intentioned.

Claim Thesis statement or claim states the subject to be addressed. Not effective if everybody already agrees on the subject. Effective writers capitalize on what audience members already know and build support by providing facts, ideas, and interpretations that build on the audience’s prior knowledge.

Context A convergence of time, place, people, events, and motivating forces that influence how the writer understands, analyzes, and generates the personal, appeals, and subject

Genre Based on the context, the writer must choose the most appropriate and effective genre to produce Speech Advertisement Political Cartoon Short Story Novel

Intention What the writer wants to happen as a result of the text What he or she wants the audience to believe or do after hearing/reading the text

I concede that…; however,…. While I agree that…, I continue to hold that…. Yes…, but…. I recognize that…, but I must point out that…. Although I understand that…, I still believe that.… While it is true that…, we must remember that…. The most effective arguments contain concession and counterargument.

Concession and Counterargument A concession is a respectful acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint. A concession is a respectful acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint. Making a concession by recognizing and fairly summarizing an opposing viewpoint shows the speaker/ writer to be logical and fair-minded. Making a concession by recognizing and fairly summarizing an opposing viewpoint shows the speaker/ writer to be logical and fair-minded. A counterargument follows a concession and strongly counters, or refutes, the opposing viewpoint. A counterargument follows a concession and strongly counters, or refutes, the opposing viewpoint.

Big Idea Details/Specifics INDUCTIVE REASONING DEDUCTIVE REASONING Experience or observation— Ex. When I kick the ball, it goes up and then down. So all balls that go up, must come down. Laws, rules, widely accepted principles- Newton’s Law states that everything that goes up must come down. So if I kick a ball into the air, it will come back down.

The “art of rhetoric” can be one of the most powerful life skills we can provide to students, enabling them to  filter the messages of advertisers, songwriters, filmmakers, and politicians, and  express themselves and their viewpoints in more sophisticated, persuasive ways.

SOAPSTone Speaker Occasion Audience Purpose Subject Tone Useful for analyzing rhetoric!