Argument and Persuasion The Power of Persuasion Rhetoric

Argument and Persuasion The Power of Persuasion

Rhetoric The Art of using language purposefully. When trying to argue and persuade someone of something, we think carefully of how we might best achieve our goal, and we pick particular words because of their effect. Ex. Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation - delivered 8 December 1941 What famous quote came from this speech?

Rhetoric con’t…Pearl Harbor speech FDR “Yesterday, December 7 th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. ” http: //www. amer icanrhetoric. com /speeches/fdrpe arlharbor. htm

Persuasion n. To cause a person to believe or do something by reasoning with him or her. The art of persuasion is the art of argument. Example: “ Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him; The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones, So let it be with Caesar. . . The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious…” o

Facts vs. Opinions A fact is a statement that can be verified as correct or incorrect An opinion is a personal feeling or judgment about something Typically, we work to persuade people to agree with our opinions by using facts to support those opinions.

Fact or Opinion? You Tell Me… Remember, facts are statements that can be verified as CORRECT. Opinions are personal feelings or judgments about something. Everyone loves chocolate. New York is the largest city in the United States. I believe that the beach is the best place to vacation. I think the main character in the movie is hilarious. April is one of the Spring months. You are the best dancer in the whole school. Brian Cushing was just voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. 8. Dogs are superior to cats. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Tricky, tricky… There are several words to look out for that indicate that you are dealing with an opinion and not a fact. These are just a few.

So… What Do We Argue About? ISSUES: Points at which individuals disagree. The large questions underlying people's opinions. POSITIONS: The opinion formed by an individual on an issue. The way the individual ANSWERS the question posed by the issue. Based on our positions, we make… ASSERTIONS: A statement offered as truth, which is actually an opinion. An assertion is the foundation of every argument.

Structure of an Argument Claim (Main Assertion): This is your thesis when you write an argument! Reason #1 (Topic Sentence in your essay) Evidence to support Reason #1 Reason #2 (Topic Sentence in your essay) Evidence to support Reason #2 Reason #3 (Topic Sentence in your essay) Evidence to support Reason #3 THIS PATTERN CONTINUES TO ACCOMMODATE ALL OF YOUR REASONS. REMEMBER, 3 IS NOT A MAGIC NUMBER!!

Successful Arguments must do 3 (Three!!!) things: 1. Have or develop several solid, LOGICALLY BASED reasons to support your assertion. “Logically” implies that they must be reasons that can be supported with evidence (You knew that already!). 2. TARGET your reasons for the SPECIFIC AUDIENCE you are trying to convince You must know who you are trying to persuade, otherwise you have a moot point. 3. Use PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES appropriately and effectively What are these magical persuasive techniques, you ask?

The 3 Persuasive Appeals LOGOS (logic)—An appeal to LOGIC or RATIONAL REASONING If you can explain real-life cause and effect and if/then situations, and make reasonable comparisons using FACTS and FIGURES that can be VERIFIED, then you are using LOGOS. Ex. “Dad, you should let me drive to school today, because I have to go straight from school to a doctor’s appointment at 3: 00, and I will be late to my appointment if I walk to school rather than drive. ”

ETHOS… ETHOS (ethics/morals) n An appeal to what is MORALLY or ETHICALLY right through the character of the speaker. This appeal is based on whether or not the audience perceives the speaker as someone who is morally competent, trustworthy, and knowledgeable on the subject about which s/he is speaking. Ex. “Dad, you know I have always been a responsible son and I never taken advantage of the privilege to drive, and I know that you would not want me to miss my doctor’s appointment, as the school requires I have a physical before playing football; therefore, you should let me drive to school so that I may fulfill my obligation. ”

PATHOS (emotion): An appeal to EMOTIONS or FEELINGS including FEAR, HUMOR, ROMANCE, COMPASSION, etc… If you can relate/incorporate your emotions into your argument without manipulating the emotions of others, you are using PATHOS. Ex. “Dad, I feel really sick today… and you know I love school and would never want to miss any of my classes… so you should let me drive to school today so I can go to the doctor right after school before this gets any worse; and in my weakened condition it would be hard to walk all the way there. ”

Rhetorical Structures and Devices Rhetorical devices shape the structure of sentences and paragraphs within a persuasive work in ways that make the work’s message resonate. As we look at the examples, consider HOW these devices make the message memorable.

Rhetorical Structures and Devices Repetition: Uses the same word or words more than once for emphasis Example: Let there be justice for all, Let there be peace for all, Let there be work, break, water, and salt for all. --from “Glory and Hope” by Nelson Mandela

Rhetorical Structures and Devices Parallelism: Uses similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or equal in importance. Often creates a rhythm. Example: We cannot, we must not, refuse to protect the right of everyone American to vote in every election… And we ought not, and we cannot, and we must not wait another eight months before we get a bill. -from “We Shall Overcome” by L. B. Johnson

Rhetorical Structures and Devices Analogy: Makes a comparison between two subjects that are alike in some ways. Example: Have you heard the canned, frozen and processed product being dished up to the world as American popular music today? -from a commencement address by Billy Joel

FALLACY… Beware! A false argument or error in reasoning Fallacies are meant to manipulate and confuse the audience. If you expose these methods, they do not contain valid reasoning. What methods of persuasion have you seen today that often contain fallacies?

Types of Fallacies 1. 2. 3. 4. Bandwagon – Tries to get everyone to do or think the same as the crowd… “everyone’s doing it…” “Come join your friends at Chili’s, where the fun is” Testimonial – When someone is trying to tell you THEIR experience about an issue and how they handled it Have you ever had trouble losing weight? So did I, until I took Slim. Quick! Now I’m 30 pounds lighter and I have my life back” Unproven Generalization– A statement that no one is likely to prove, disprove, or even challenge, and there are likely not any facts to back it up. Extreme words are often used to make the statement sound more valid (always, never, all, none, etc. ) “Four out of five athletes prefer the taste of Gatorade to Powerade” Overgeneralization – A generalization that is too broad; Often uses words like “all, ” “everyone, ” “every time, ” “anything, ” “no one, ” and “none. ” “No one cares that there is not enough parking downtown. ”

Fallacies con’t. 5. Stereotyping – A dangerous type of overgeneralization. Stereotypes are broad statements about people on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, race, political affiliation, religious affiliation, etc. “The only thing members of that political group care about is taxing people. ” 6. Circular Reasoning – Supporting a statement by simply repeating it in different words. “Teenagers should avoid fad diets, because it is important for adolescents to stay away from popular weight-loss plans. ” 7. False Cause and Effect – When a reason is given for the desire, but the reason has nothing to do with the situations. “The eldest child should always get first choice because she is older. ” “The mayor declared a get-tough crime policy and, sure enough, crime rates dropped. ”

Fallacies, con’t. 8. Either/Or Fallacy – A statement that suggests there are only two choices available in a situation that really offers more than two options. “Either students should be allowed to leave school to have lunch at nearby fast-food restaurants, or they should be allowed to choose the cafeteria menu. ” 9. Oversimplification – An explanation of a complex situation or problem as if it were much simpler than it is. “Making the team depends on whether or not the coach likes you. ”

Fallacies, con’t. 10. Evading the Issue – Refuting an objection with arguments and evidence that do not address its central point. “Yes, I broke my campaign promise not to raise taxes, but these higher taxes have led to increases in police patrols, paved highways, and smaller class sizes in schools. ” 11. Attacking the Person/Name-Calling/Ad Hominem Fallacy: An attempt to discredit an idea by attacking the person or group associated with it. Candidates often engage in this during political campaigns. “My opponent is not smart enough to be a mayor. ”