RHETORIC the art of persuasion RHETORIC What is

RHETORIC “the art of persuasion”

RHETORIC: What is it? � 1. The art of speaking or writing effectively � 2 . Writing, speaking or communicating as a means of persuasion.

Where do we see rhetoric in society today?

� Speeches � Advertisements � Films � Media � Conversation � The classroom

� Rhetoric originated in Ancient Greece, where political leaders would use their public speaking abilities to persuade people for political decisions. � Rhetoric was also used to spread new ideas and philosophies during this time. � The ancient Greeks referred to it as “the art of persuasion, ” and created a discipline so it can be studied.

Aristotle (384 -322 BC) Divided rhetoric into three essential components: Logos, Pathos and Ethos.

How the character and credibility of a speaker will influence an audience. � Example: � Listening to a speech by a top NASA scientist on climate change, rather than a first year university student.

Speaker must also be impartial (not biased) or else they lose credibility. i. e. Having an oil company appoint a scientist to lecture against on climate change would constitute a bias.

BIAS: having a slanted or distorted point of view; having a subjective point of view as opposed to an objective one SUBJECTIVE: based on one’s opinions and feelings OBJECTIVE: based on fact, NOT influenced by personal feelings

WOULD YOU BUY A USED CAR FROM THIS MAN?

Which Second World War politician is more credible? Which politician would you trust more?

What subjects would Stephen Hawking be a credible speaker? What subject might he not be so credible?

Based on reputation – which pretty, little liar is most trustworthy?

Is Lebron James a credible spokesperson for Nike basketball products? WHY? Is he a credible spokesperson for all products? Which products would you NOT buy even if Lebron recommended them?

Have you seen Katy Perry’s “Pro. Activ ads? Is she a credible spokesperson?

Why is Tiger recommending “YOU” buy this brand of watch? Is it because he knows a lot about watch construction? OR is it because. . . He is paid. Why did many companies ditch Tiger Woods as a spokesperson for their products?

PATHOS � The use of emotional appeals to alter the audience’s judgement. � This can be done through a variety of means; however, the intention is to evoke strong emotional responses from the audience. � Examples: Story telling, quotes, personal references, rhetorical devices (metaphor, similes).

Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 18 and lost his right leg below the knee. He made up his mind to run to raise money for cancer research, and calling his challenge the Marathon of Hope, he managed to run 26 miles a day for 143 days, from St. John's Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario - with an artificial leg. His spirit captured the country. He began on April 12, 1980 in St. John's Newfoundland, and after 5, 373 kilometres (3, 339 miles) his cancer reappeared, and he was forced to stop near Thunder Bay. He passed away on June 28, 1981 just a month before his 23 rd birthday, but his spirit has carried on.

LOGOS Using reasoning or logic to construct an argument. Examples: Using math or statistics to persuade the audience. � “Our product is 50% more effective than our competitors. ” � “Contains 33% less fat. ”

Can also involve the use of hypothetical situations or anecdotes. A friend of yours says he will never wear a seatbelt again. He explains that an acquaintance of his survived a car accident because she wasn't wearing a seat belt. The acquaintance flew through the windscreen, landed on a grassy bank and suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile the car burst into flames and was destroyed.

Often, advertisements use testimonials to sell products. A testimonial is a personal anecdote in which a person recounts his or her success with a product. Her story is intended to make you believe that your experience will be similar.

THE TEST IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING AS EXAMPLES OF - ETHOS - PATHOS - LOGOS