1. Rhetorical Strategies
English II Pre-AP

2. Notes on…Rhetoric
**Reminder - Rhetorical Devices/Appeals: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Rhetorical Strategies: methods employed by the writer/speaker to persuade the reader/ audience.

3. Notes on…Rhetoric Rhetoric is ALL AROUND us.
Where have you seen/heard rhetoric?
Turn to a neighbor and discuss your thoughts.

4. It’s everywhere!! Notes on…Rhetoric Political debates (language)
Advertisements (images, text)
News shows (images, text)
Magazines (images, text)
It’s everywhere!!

5. Notes on…Rhetoric How have YOU used rhetoric in your life?
Turn to a neighbor and discuss your thoughts.

6. Rhetorical Strategies
These are a few strategies to implement in your argumentative paper:
Verbal Rhetoric
Allusion
Humor
Enumeratio
Tone & Mood
Literary & Syntax structures

7. Strategy #1: Verbal Rhetoric
Formal Diction: uses jargon (terminology specific to an activity/profession/group) to show ethically or legally important ideas
Emotional diction (“sensationalism”): uses words that are emotionally “charged” or “loaded” to express passion
Imitation: uses another person’s language/style to demonstrate respect or disrespect for another writer.

8. Strategy #1: Verbal Rhetoric/Formal Diction
If you were trying to persuade a restaurant worker to wear gloves, you might say:
“It is the policy of the Georgia Restaurant Association for all employees to wear sanitary coverings over their hands.”

9. Strategy #1: Verbal Rhetoric/Emotional Diction
If you were trying to persuade someone to watch a movie, you might say:
That movie was the most awe-inspiring display of artistry ever presented on the big screen.

10. Strategy #2: Allusion & Direct Reference
Use a familiar/popular saying/ idea to convince your audience
Used in advertising
Form of juxtaposition

11. Strategy #2: Allusion & Direct Reference
If I want to convince you to wash your hands, I might say,
Thou shalt wash thy hands.
This sentence alludes to the Christians belief in the Ten Commandments. Many people respect the commandments; therefore, those people will associate hand washing with the respect given to the Command-ments

12. Strategy #3: Humor To get the audience to like the speaker’s ideas
To engage the audience (creates interaction)
Can take on many forms:
Hyperbole (exaggeration)
Understatement
Irony
Sarcasm (be careful-can be offensive)

13. Strategy #4: Enumeratio
Listing or numbering ideas
Logical presentation
Strong organization
Easy for audience to remember

14. Tone = “They” (how the author feels)
Strategy #5: Tone & Mood
Tone = “They” (how the author feels)
Mood = “Me” (how I feel after the rhetoric)
Writers who choose diction as a means to contribute to tone are using tone as a rhetorical technique.

15. Notes on…Rhetoric Take a minute to think about this…
What rhetorical strategies do you use most frequently to persuade readers or even those with whom you speak?
What rhetorical strategies do you find most persuasive when others use them on you?

16. It’s all about Audience!
**Audience is the most vital component of rhetoric.**
If you were trying to convince someone to live a good life, would you get very far with outrageous accusations?
Do you think you should use caustic satire as a persuasive strategy in a job interview?