RHETORIC “The art of finding the available means of persuasion in a given case” - Aristotle

Rhetoric refers to: the art of finding and analyzing all the choices involving language that a writer, speaker, reader or listener might make in a situation so that the text becomes meaningful, purposeful, and effective for readers or listeners. the specific features of texts, written or spoken, that cause them to be meaningful, purposeful, and effective for readers or listeners in a situation.

Interactive Meaning The meaning of a text does not reside solely within the writer. The meaning of a text does not reside solely within the reader. The meaning of a text does not reside solely within the words.

Interactive Meaning The meaning of a text is created by the interaction of the writer’s words and the reader’s assumptions, experiences, knowledge, and beliefs. This is known as the rhetorical transaction.

The Rhetorical Triangle (the rhetorical “transaction”) Writer/Speaker Reader/Audience Text/Subject

Rhetoric is an activity engaged in by the writer, speaker, reader, or listener. Writers use rhetoric in the creation of the text. Readers use rhetoric to understand and analyze text. As a result, both need to be aware of all the choices involving language available to a writer or speaker in any given situation. Rhetorical analysis is analyzing these “available means.”

A Web of Rhetorical Analysis Exigence Audience Purpose Logos EthosPathos Organization/Whole Text Structure Diction SyntaxImagery Figurative Language Rhetorical Situation Appeals Arrangement Style

Rhetorical Situation Exigence = Urgency with which a writer feels compelled to share something with someone else - tells us “why” and “so what.” Audience = To whom the writer is speaking - can be primary or secondary, can be immediate or mediated. Purpose = Writers and speakers don’t produce texts for no good reason. They always want their texts to MEAN SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING. If it doesn’t lead to the audience’s making meaning with it, it’s not rhetorically successful.

Appeals Logos (most central to rhetorical transaction) The argument being made The argument being made Logical and rational meaning Logical and rational meaningEthos Credibility: why should we believe the speaker? Credibility: why should we believe the speaker? Show good sense, good character, and good will Show good sense, good character, and good willPathos Self interests Self interests Emotions Emotions

Arrangement Organization Whole Text Structure Sequencing of arguments made

Arrangement The Classical Model Introduction (exordium) - get the reader’s attention, establish ethos Narration (narratio) - facts and background, set up the problem, guided by the particular audience Confirmation (confirmatio) - proof, evidence, and details, appeals to pathos and logos Refutation (refutatio) - address a counterargument Conclusion (peroratio) - bring the essay to a satisfying close, DOES NOT repeat--brings all the ideas together and tells us “so what?”--remember: the last words they read are the ones they’ll remember

Arrangement by Purpose Patterns of Development Narration - telling a story/series of events usually chronological Description - Descriptive details, establishes mood/atmosphere appeals to 5 senses to paint a vivid picture Process Analysis - Explains the process (how to do something, how something works, etc.) sequential steps and clear transitions

Arrangement by Purpose Patterns of Development Exemplification - using a series of examples or one extended example to turn a general idea into a concrete one induction - give examples to illustrate a point Comparison and Contrast - Juxtaposing two things to highlight similarities and differences allows you to carefully analyze subtle similarities/differences in method, style, or purpose Can be subject-by-subject (first A then B) or point-by- point (Compare A and B on point 1, then A and B on point 2, etc.)

Arrangement by Purpose Patterns of Development Classification and Division - breaking down a larger idea or concept into parts and categorizing them categories can be ready-made sometimes the reader must analyze/apply the categories created by the author Definition - defining the terms an author will use in his/her argument sometimes only a small part of a paper to clarify terms sometimes the purpose of an entire essay

Arrangement by Purpose Patterns of Development Cause and Effect - analyzing the causes that lead to a particular effect, or the effects that resulf from a particular cause forms the foundation for many arguments depends on extremely clear logic - DO NOT jump to conclusions

Style Diction = The words the writer chooses to use Syntax = The way in which the writer arranges the parts of a sentence Imagery = The visual created by the words Figurative Language = All uses of language that imply an imaginative comparison Rhetorical Analysis = How do the diction/syntax/imagery/figurative language influence meaning, purpose, and effect?

A Web of Rhetorical Analysis Exigence Audience Purpose Logos EthosPathos Organization/Whole Text Structure Diction SyntaxImagery Figurative Language Rhetorical Situation Appeals Arrangement Style