Aspects of Rhetoric

Aspects of Rhetoric

Rhetorical Situation ATP A-Audience T-Topic P-Purpose .

Exigency: motivation/purpose. What causes the writer to write.

To make & Read an Argument Critical Reading -Literal (surface):What -Inferential: Why -Synthesis: How (application)

Invention: finding the best way to convey writer's purpose/claim (discovery, creativity, breakthrough, imagination)

Writers invent when they fully commit: -To own voice -To one needs writing - To needs of audience

Ethos Credibility- establishing why readers should trust/ believe writerWays to establish credibility: Credentials, Common Ground, Use of Factual Evidence and Honesty (also admitting what you don't know) Question reader ask: What does writer know about subject? What experiences make writer knowledgeable? Why should I pay attention to writer?

Logos Reasoning/proof- writer's reasoning for argument and/or factual evidence Artistic Proofs: writer's own reasoning & common use Deductive Reasoning- general to specific Inductive Reasoning- specific to general Inartistic Proofs: Hard evidence (facts, witnesses, data) Testimonies/narratives can be good choicesSyllogism: vehicles of deductive reasoning. -Major premise -Minor premise -Draw conclusion. Conclusion must follow logically to be valid Ex: All human being are mortal. Ms.G is a human being. Therefore Ms.G is mortal Enthymeme: vehicle of deductive reasoning. -similar to syllogism but not as explicit. -Usually s sentence with claim & reason but depends on audience inferring implicit assumption. Ex: We'd better cancel the picnic (it might be raining) Different people pick up on different claims & meaning Need to move away from "one right" answer concept

Pathos Emotional appeal- use of feelings to influence reader *Purpose- important to use pathos wisely; not casually or randomly *Balance- do NOT rely solely on emotional impact for argument *Use logos & ethos to enhance pathos Use of humor: effective if not overdone, must be well-intentioned & not for ridicule

General Notes Writers should establish ethos not just at beginning, but throughout entire piece. Writer should utilize both types of logos for effective argument Writer should use pathos wisely & not as basis for entire arguments Avoid using fallacies