1. rhetoric
: the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people

2. New Vocabulary Rhetorical triangle Rhetoric Argument
Rhetorical context
Purpose
Writer/Speaker (Ethos)
Audience (Pathos)
Message (Logos)

3. Rhetoric & Elements of Argument
First, understand that argument is not simply a dispute, as when people disagree with one another or shout at each other. *Argument is about making a case in support of a claim in everyday affairs—in science, in policy making, in school, in courtrooms, and so forth.

4. Persuasion and argument are often used interchangeably
Argument & Persuasion
Persuasion and argument are often used interchangeably
Persuasion is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action.
Persuasion relies much less on facts (logos) and more on emotions (pathos).
Argument is a specific kind of persuasion based on the principles of logic and reasoning (logos).

5. The Importance of Argument and Persuasion
In everyday life…
Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a job, negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court
In academic life…
Defending your ideas, engaging intellectual debate
On the job…
Getting people to listen to your ideas, winning buy-in, getting your boss to notice, getting cooperation, moving people to action
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6. The Importance of Argument and Persuasion
In writing…
Irrefutably making your point, writing to be read
In reading and listening…
Critically evaluating other’s arguments, protecting yourself from unethical persuasive tactics, recognizing faulty reasoning when you see it.
TO CREATE CHANGE/AWARENESS

7. value or persuasiveness.
Analyzing Argument
In an argument essay, the writer selects evidence, and uses logical appeal to structure an argument to prove a position on the topic. The single purpose is to argue a position and defend it with evidence in any discipline.
When you evaluate an argument or set of claims, you determine its
value or persuasiveness.

8. Writer/Speaker (Ethos)
Rhetorical Triangle While reading & analyzing arguments, address these 5 rhetorical elements:
Audience (Pathos)
Rhetorical Context
Purpose
Add five elements of the rhetorical triangle: writer, audience, message, purpose & rhetorical context.
Writer/Speaker (Ethos)
Message (Logos)

9. Writer’s Claim (Thesis)
Identify the claim – main idea, thesis, or the point the author is making – it may be directly stated or implied. Further, it may come early in the writing or near the end. What is the point of the argument?

10. Writer’s Purpose
While reading or writing an argument, identify, the purpose of the communication – this is the rhetorical goal.
In other words, what is the author trying to achieve in his or her message?

11. Rhetorical Context
is the political, historical, social, cultural, and economic setting for a particular idea or event. In order to better understand the rhetoric, readers must look at its context--those things which surround it in time and place and give it its meaning.

12. Audience (Pathos)
While reading, identify who the intended or target audience is. Consider the rhetorical context when identifying this. As a writer, you must ask, “What values and belief do I appeal to in the audience? How can I engage both the audience’s heart and mind?” To have your message accepted by an audience, the writer should try to appeal to their emotions, which is why the audience is often linked with pathos in the rhetorical triangle.

13. Writer/Speaker (Ethos)
While reading, identify what the writer is using to build credibility and trust with their audience. Consider their inherent background.
They can build their ethos
through the choices they
make in terms of tone,
style and addressing
counter arguments.

14. Message (Logos)
In the rhetorical triangle, the message is often linked with logos, the content of the communication.
Logos is the logical use of evidence the author uses to support their message (or claim).
As a reader, you must ask yourself, “What assumptions support the reasoning? What is the evidence?”

15. Evidence can be any fact, statistic, or quote from provable sources
Evidence can be any fact, statistic, or quote from provable sources. Evidence, to be useful, must be relevant and verifiable.

16. Rhetorical Strategies
Cause and effect (logos) - These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur.
Analogy (logos) - This is an argument in which a conclusion is drawn about a situation based on similarities of this situation (analogies) to previous situations. It is considered the weakest of all of the techniques.
Stylistic Devices:
repetition, figurative language, sarcasm, symbolism, anecdote, and many more…

17. Evidence vs. Opinion
Some authors word their argument so subtly that the reader may confuse what is actually evidence vs. opinion. It takes a careful analysis to determine the difference.

18. Expectations for YOUR Analysis
3 paragraphs in length (intro p + analysis+ conclusion)
Include the following elements in your intro:
Hook
Author/Speaker and Title Information
1 sentence summary of text
Audience/Persona/Tone
Author’s claim and strategy

19. Analysis Paragraph Topic Sentence (refers to strategy chosen)
Introduction of Evidence
Evidence of Strategy (cite)
Analysis of Evidence (How does this strengthen the argument?)
Concluding Sentence

20. Conclusion Paragraph
Reword your claim (highlighting the strategy used)
Final thought…
What was the author/speaker’s goal?
What was the “call to action”?
What was the author/speaker trying to accomplish?

21. Rules of Analysis (BE CAREFUL)
Avoid outwardly stating “the author used pathos…ethos…logos”— be SPECIFIC!
The author uses a personal anecdote to establish his credibility…
ALWAYS analyze these pieces using the…
present tense
INSTEAD of saying “pathos”… identify a SPECIFIC emotion that an author appeals to
Discuss the STRONGEST strategies used (and provide proof)

22. Preview: Structure of Classic Argument
Introduction
Author’s Claim
Background Information (narration)
Reasons and Evidence (confirmation)
The Opposing View and the Refutation
Conclusions