Transcript Introduction to Rhetoric

Introduction to Rhetoric
ENGLISH III
What is rhetoric?
Rhetoric: the art of effective speaking or writing
Analysis: the process of separating something into its constituent
elements, examining the elements, and evaluating how they work
together to create the whole
Any text has three elements:
1.
Speaker – the person/persona delivering the message
2.
Purpose – the topic and reason for delivering the message
3.
Audience – the group for whom the message is intended
Rhetorical analysis is simply the analysis of the relationship(s) among the
elements of a text.
It requires close reading and an understanding of how various rhetorical devices
and strategies are used to create effective rhetorical appeals.
Methods for Analysis
 OPTIC for visuals
 OPTIC - interpreting visual text.pdf
 TPCASTT for poetry
 TPCASTT_Template.pdf
 SOAPSToneD for annotation and analysis of any
other text. Use this on a regular basis!

SOAPSToneD.pdf
The Rhetorical Triangle
LOGOS
(Message)
Appeal to logos: based on logic, facts, and truths; the truths can be universally accepted or
proven facts, or may be based on ideas or concepts true for a specific group of people
(audience)
Appeal to ethos: believability of the speaker; credibility and trustworthiness
Appeal to pathos: designed to stir the emotions of the audience; language or syntax
designed to make the audience more receptive to or engaged in the message
Examples in Advertising
 Look at the following commercials. Identify the
rhetorical context (speaker, purpose, audience) and
the appeals being used (logos, ethos, pathos).
Discuss how and why the appeals are effective.
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Commercial 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJKlB_FuOTE
Commercial 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc
Commercial 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaAUPlR677E
Examples in Literature
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Read the Frederick Douglass excerpt.
 Passages for Analysis\Douglass excerpt for rhetorical analysis.pdf
Logos

Specific names (Captain Anthony, Mr. Plummer)

Level of detail (explains how horrible the treatment was)
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Descriptions of violence (it is universally accepted by audience that these types of actions are
inhumane)
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Douglass still remembers the mistreatment
Pathos

Emotional language/word choice (“…seem to take great pleasure…”, “…literally covered in blood”,
“blood-clotted cowskin”, “It was the blood-stained gate…”, “I was quite a child…”)
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Subject matter is inherently emotional (slavery, torture)
Ethos
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Douglass witnessed this with his own eyes (adds to credibility)
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Douglass was a slave (first-hand account)
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Specific details (adds to credibility)
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Tone/specific details (Douglass shows how bad the treatment was instead of just telling the
audience)
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Precise language, clarity of language and syntax (Douglass’ ability to write eloquently adds to his
credibility)
Practice
 Work in groups of 3 to study the print ads you are given.
 For each ad, identify the following:
1.
Rhetorical context
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2.
Rhetorical appeals
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3.
Speaker:
Purpose:
Audience:
Ethos:
Logos:
Pathos:
What is the primary appeal being used? Why is it the
most effective?