Intro to Rhetorical Devices Objective Lesson 1 Day

Intro to Rhetorical Devices

Objective– Lesson 1, Day 1 • Define ethos, pathos, and logos, identify examples of each in their own writing.

Characteristics of Argument • • • Impetus for change Persuasive in nature Credible sources (logos) Statistics Emotional themes (pathos) Authoritativeness (ethos) Strong claim Argument is an art: diction, syntax, organization, style involves contested issues; persuasion is a central goal; argument does not occur where there is consensus.

The motivation part: What’s in it for me? Think of a time when you tried to persuade a child, a family-member, a friend, etc. to do or believe. It could be to buy or pay for something, to change a grade, a rule, or a decision or some other issue. What kinds of arguments did you use? Did you use logic? Did you use evidence to support your request? Did you try to present your own character in a way that would make your case more believable? Did you engage the emotions of your audience? Write a short paragraph of your efforts to persuade your audience in this case.

Definition of Ethos • Ethos (noun): • the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period: In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued. • the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc. (www. dictionary. com)

Definition of Ethos • Device used by an author to build credibility and trustworthiness. • Helps the reader see the author as reliable, trustworthy, competent, and credible • Background • Publication • Appropriate language and vocabulary for audience • Professional • Knowledgeable • Fair-minded

Ethos- How are these visuals examples of ethos?

Define and Share • In your own words define ethos • Share with your group and create a group definition • Share with the class

Ethos-- Example • "I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression. I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21 st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation; poverty and genocide; climate change and disease. And I will restore our moral standing, so that America is once again that last, best hope for all who are called to the cause of freedom, who long for lives of peace, and who yearn for a better future. " • Democratic Presidential Candidate Acceptance Speech by Barack Obama. August 28 th, 2008.

Pathos • Relies on evoking emotional response from audience • Uses pity, fear, anger, tenderness, empathy, and sympathy • Loaded language • Least effective method of persuasion • Most used method of persuasion • Extremely powerful

Definition of Pathos • Words or passages an author uses to activate emotions • Evokes an emotional response from the reader (fear, sympathy, empathy, anger) • Loaded language • Vivid descriptions • Emotional examples

Pathos- How are these visuals examples of pathos?

Define and Share In your own words define pathos Share with your group and create a group definition Share with the class

Pathos-- Example • "I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. " • I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. August 28 th, 1963.

Logos • • • cite facts and statistics historical and literal analogies citing certain authorities on a subject the Greek word for “word, ” “logic” is derived from logos Use of advanced, theoretical or abstract language • logical arguments • Quotes from a novel • Expert testimony

Logos-- Definition • The argument itself; reasoning, logical evidence • Evokes a rational response • • Definitions Quotations Citations from experts Informed opinions Examples from real life Scientific facts Historical analogies

Logos- How do these visuals create Logos?

Define and Share In your own words define logos Share with your group and create a group definition Share with the class

Logos: Example • "However, although private , final demand, output, and employment have indeed been growing for more than a year, the pace of that growth recently appears somewhat less vigorous than we expected. Notably, since stabilizing in mid-2009, real household spending in the United States has grown in the range of 1 to 2 percent at annual rates, a relatively modest pace. Households' caution is understandable. Importantly, the painfully slow recovery in the labor market has restrained growth in labor income, raised uncertainty about job security and prospects, and damped confidence. Also, although consumer credit shows some signs of thawing, responses to our Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices suggest that lending standards to households generally remain tight. " • “The Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy” by Ben Bernanke. August 27 th, 2010.

Ted. Ed “Logos, Ethos, Pathos” • http: //www. wimp. com/teachpersuasion/

Review: Ethos, Pathos, Logos • You are trying to convince your parents to extend your curfew. You would appeal to • Ethos • Pathos • Logos • WHY? ? Please write your answer in your journal.

Review: Ethos, Pathos, Logos • You want to go to Europe after high school graduation. You would appeal to • Ethos • Pathos • Logos • WHY? ? Please write your answer in your journal.

What’s wrong with these arguments? • “Just what you’d expect an eco-alarmist like that to say. ” • “If you don’t give me an A, I won’t get into college. ” • “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. ” • “No blood for oil!” • “All my friends have i. Phones. ” • “ 9/11 changed everything. ”

Tone • • Objective or subjective Appropriate to audience/purpose Logical or emotional Intimate or distant Serious or humorous Freedom of self-expression Should be easily read, understood, and identified

Tone Definition • The manner in which an author expresses his/her attitude; the intonation of the voice that expresses meaning. • Attitude is the author's personal view or outlook toward a subject. This attitude often determines the way an author approaches the content of his writing.

Tone Examples • What is the tone for the following situations? • Asking your parents for money • Seeing if your best friend wants to hang out • Meeting the president • Presenting a research paper to a bunch of doctors • Convincing the child you’re babysitting to go to sleep Once you have finished brainstorming, write a five sentence “speech” for one of the scenarios listed.

Diction • Specific word choice • Words can have a positive or negative connotation • Changes on level of formality • Avoid: • Clichés, vagueness (language that has more than one equally probable meaning), wordiness, and unnecessarily complex language.

Diction Definition • A writer’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning.

Diction Continued • Formal diction: A dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language; it follows the rules of syntax exactly • Often characterized by complex words and lofty tone. • Middle diction: Maintains correct language usage, but is less elevated than formal diction. • Reflects the way most educated people speak. • Informal diction: Represents the plain language of everyday use. • Often includes idiomatic expressions, slang, contractions, and many simple, common words.

Examples of Diction • Separate the following words into positive and negative connotation. Then, label the words as formal, middle, or informal and rank the words in order of formality: Imprison Secure Restrict Detain Incarcerate Lock-up Hold Confine

Logical Fallacies • • Defects that weaken the argument Very, very common Are quite persuasive to the casual reader Dozens can be found in newspapers, advertisements, and other sources

Logical Fallacies • Logical- reasonable, rational, sound, valid • Fallacy- misleading notion, erroneous belief

Ad Hominem • Latin for “against the person” • Focuses our attention on people rather than arguments or evidence. • EX- So-and-So is a bad person, so his/her argument is flawed, too! • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ko. KN 5 i 4 bb. BM • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=zr. VGu. U s. L 2 PM&feature=player_embedded

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc • Latin for– “after this, therefore because of this” • Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B. • EX-President Jones raised taxes. The rate of violent crimes went up. President Jones is responsible for the rise in crime. • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=v. RJUv. FG 8 gb. E

“My Truck” Chevy Truck Commercial 2008 • H/O Multimedia Rhetorical Analysis • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=qri. Nb. V CIsow • View five times!

Lesson 4 Objective • Analyze the Chevy Truck ad using a rhetorical précis writing template.