THE HISTORY OF PERSUASION

Persuasion is an appeal to an audience. Ethos, logos and pathos were identified by Aristotle as appeals necessary to persuade an audience.

THE HISTORY OF PERSUASION

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who studied under Plato. Aristotle studied and wrote prolifically on subjects from politics to metaphysics.

Aristotle’s discussion of rhetoric contributed lasting ideas about the methods of persuasion.

Rhetoric is the art of using language eff ectively and persuasively.

Rhetor is the person sending the message.

RHETORIC

Ethos is appeal based on the character of a speaker. An ethos driven document or method of persuasion relies on the reputation of the author.

ETHOS

Logos is an appeal to logic. An author develops logos by offering credible facts and statics related to the topic at hand, by using allusions, deductive reasoning and citing credible sources outside the work itself.

LOGOS

Pathos is an appeal to the emotion of the audience. An author develops pathos by including figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and vivid imagery. This can also include emotional anecdotes, vivid connotative language used to evoke sympathy and emotional interest in a topic.

PATHOS

1. Rhetorical Questions are questions not meant to be answered, but are used to drive a point home, embarrass, evoke pity or express astonishment.

2. Metaphors are comparisons that can make an argument more colorful and interesting.

RHETORICAL STRATEGIES

3.Parallels to Current Events/History use present and past events to serve as a comparative or contrasting example to make a point.4. Apostrophe is a direct aside to someone. For example, “Please, my dear reader, look at the facts.”

PARALLELS AND APOSTROPHE

5.Repetition is when certain words or phrases are repeated several times for effect.6.Active Verbs are used to show the speaker is performing in the action. This makes writing more charged and exciting.

REPETITION AND ACTIVE VERBS