Introduction to Rhetoric The argument and the triangle

Introduction to Rhetoric The argument and the triangle

Intro to Rhetoric ► Artistotle § the art of observing in any case the ‘available means of persuasion’ ► “Everything argument” is an § Spoken rhetoric § Written rhetoric § Visual rhetoric What is the argument here? (Hint: Initial Reaction, Description, Analysis, Evaluation)

Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle WRITER ETHOS LOGOS SUBJECT PATHOS AUDIENCE

Logos, Ethos, and Pathos ► Logos § Appeals to logic ►reasonable premises and proofs ►Develop ideas with appropriate details ►Readers follow a progression of ideas ►A=B, C=B, A=C § § § Men are mortal Aristotle is a man Aristotle is mortal

Logos, Ethos, and Pathos ► Ethos § Appeals to Ethics ►“appeal to moral code” § Connection to audience § This is just or right ►“appeal to the authority of the speaker” § Credible – good sources § Honest § Quintilian: “a good man speaking well”

Logos, Ethos, and Pathos ► Pathos § Appeals to audience’s emotions ►Sympathy, empathy, pathetic § Powerful, but can be used to manipulate § Often uses figurative language

John F. Kennedy ► “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. ” § Logic: proposes a solution for what ails country § Ethos: highlights ethical qualities of speaker and audience § Pathos: appeals to emotional patriotism