Transcript Design & Delivery

Suzanne Webb
Lansing Community College
WRIT122
January 11, 2010
Rhetoric & Argument
The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Invention
Arrangement
Style
Memory
Delivery
The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Invention
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Coming up with something to say
The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Arrangement
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“The order of the discourse”
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How you organize your paper to be your
most convincing
The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Style
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How you say it
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Writing for an academic audience
Use of correct punctuation, grammar, and
citation.
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The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Memory
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How the orator recalls the information
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Important to know, but traditionally not a
part of our 122 course. You can, though,
associate memory with organization
The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Delivery
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The way the discourse is performed.
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We have but one method of delivery in WRIT122
(sadly). This is an MLA based written argument—12
pt, Times Roman, 1” margins, etc.
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Just think for a minute of all the other ways an
argument could be delivered. We’re taking a very
limited approach. (great possible topic for some
essays here…) (just sayin’)
Writing in the 21st Century
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Writing is one of the world’s oldest
technologies
Writing is both visual and verbal
Writing is multilingual
Writing can reach massive audiences (in a
very short time)
Writing is primarily public
from: p 27 EDW
When Writing an Argument
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You are attempting to convince readers
of something…
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To change their minds
To urge them to do something
To address a problem where no simple
solution exists
When Writing an Argument
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Who is your audience?
It’s most important you consider who your
audience is. Perhaps you have multiple
audiences. Are they…
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Scholars?
Fellow Students?
Collegues?
Children?
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Write to your particular audience(s)
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When Writing an Argument
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Shape your appeal to your audience
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Establish common ground
Respect your audience’s interests and views
Choose examples the audience can relate to
Use language appropriate to your audience
Audience
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What is your topic or message?
What is your relationship to your audience?
What are your values & beliefs?
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p27 EDW
Your audience’s?
You & your audience’s background knowledge?
What are the time and space limitations?
What is the purpose of your message?
What is the appropriate level of language?
What kind of argument paper
will you write?
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Analysis?
Classification?
Compare/Contrast?
Definition?
The Argument
p70 EDW
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“…all language has an argumentative
edge.”
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Do not assume that all writers agree with
you!
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“What one [person] might call a massive
demonstration another might call a noisy
protest, and yet another an angry march…”
Analyzing the Argument
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p71 EDW
What is the main issue (stasis)
What emotional, ethical and logical appeals can
you use?
How can you establish your credibility?
What sources do you have?
How current and reliable are they?
Does your thesis reflect your claim accurately?
When Writing an Argument
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Stasis Theory
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(stasis = stand)
Did the act occur?
How is the act defined?
How important or serious is the act?
What actions should be taken as a result of
this act?
When Writing an Argument
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Reason :: Logic
Emotion :: Values
Character :: Credibility :: Ethics
LOGOS :: PATHOS :: ETHOS
Logos :: Pathos :: Ethos
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Logos
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Pathos
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The appeal to reason (logic)
The appeal to emotion (values)
Ethos
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The appeal to character (ethics)
When Writing an Argument
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Logos :: reason
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“The facts don’t lie”
Use of evidence
Trustworthy sources
Clearly defined terms
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When Writing an Argument
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Pathos :: emotion of the reader
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Reminds us of deeply held values
Stirs reader’s emotions
Creates a strong emotional appeal
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When Writing an Argument
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Ethos :: character of the writer
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The credibility, moral character, and
goodwill of the writer (ethics)
Knowledgeable on the subject?
Trustworthy?
In the best interest of the audience?
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When Writing an Argument
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Identify the elements of an argument
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Most arguments share a claim, reasons for
that claim, warrants (assumptions) which
connect the claim to the reasons, evidence
(facts, credible opinions, examples,
statistics), and qualifiers (limiting of the
claim)
When Writing an Argument
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Identify the elements of an argument
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Claim
Reasons, for that claim
Warrants or assumptions, which connect the
claim to the reasons
Evidence, facts, credible opinions, examples,
statistics
Qualifiers, limits of the claim
When Writing an Argument
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Recognize Fallacies
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Fallacies are serious flaws
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They are barriers to common ground and
understanding
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Emotional, ethical, logical fallacies (do a google
search) Also: chapter xx of EAA
Recognizing Fallacies
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Emotional
Bandwagon appeal, flattery, in-crowd appeal, veiled
threats, false analogies
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Ethical
Ad hominem, guilt by association, false authority
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Logical
Begging the question, post hoc fallacy, non sequitur,
either-or, hasty generalization, oversimplification
When Writing an Argument
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Demonstrate Knowledge
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Use credible sources
Demonstrate Fairness
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Consider the other side in your paper adds to
your credibility (a requirement)
Organizing an Argument
The Classical System
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Lines of Argument
4. Alternative arguments
5. Conclusion
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Organizing an Argument
The Toulmin System
1. Make your claim
2. Qualify your claim
3. Present good reasons as support
4. Explain the underlying assumptions
5. Provide additional evidence
6. Acknowledge possible counter arguments
7. Draw your conclusions
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The 5 Canons of Rhetoric
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Invention
Arrangement
Style
Memory
Delivery
Rhetoric & Arguments
The Art of Persuasion