By The Teacher LadyThe Teacher Lady ©The Teacher Lady, Katrina Groen, 2013. Clip Art used with...

An Introduction to Rhetoric

By The Teacher Lady

©The Teacher Lady, Katrina Groen, 2013.

Clip Art used with permission from www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Cherryworkshop

http://theteacherladykatrina.blogspot.com/

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Cherryworkshop

Imagine this scenario…


You want to extend your curfew, but you don’t think your parents will go for it.

Jot down some things you could say that might convince them to let you stay out later.

Hold on to that list!

You’ll need it l

ater!

What is rhetoric?


Rhetoric is the way an author or speaker uses language to attempt to persuade you of his or her opinion. Often, rhetoric is known as the art of persuasion or the art of argumentation. Communicators use rhetoric to increase their persuasive effectiveness.

Why do I need to know rhetoric?


Almost every time you write or speak, you are trying to persuade someone to listen to (and agree with!) your ideas and opinions.

If you are skilled at rhetoric, you will be able to communicate your ideas more effectively.

What are the mainrhetorical strategies?


Logos Pathos

Ethos

What is Logos? (“Word”)


• Logos is an appeal to logic or reasoning.

• Logos may involve statistical proof, a testimonial (a celebrity or expert who endorses a product, candidate, or idea.)

• Logos also can include deductive / inductive reasoning, such as “if –then” statements, cause and effect relationships, and definitions.

Testimonials


Examples of Logos (If-Then Statements)


• A lawyer says during a trial, “If Ms. Harper was at the dentist during the robbery, then she couldn’t have robbed the bank.”

• A doctor tells a patient to take a calcium supplement because 40% of people with calcium deficiencies develop osteoporosis.

Let’s discuss Logos


• Look back at your list of things you would say to your parents to convince them to let you stay out later. Highlight any statements that you think appeal to logos.

• Discuss: Share your “logos” statements.• Do you think your “logos” statements would

be convincing? Why or why not? • When do you think Logos would be the most

appropriate rhetorical strategy to use?

What is Pathos?(“Suffering/Experience”)


• Pathos is an appeal to the listener or reader’s emotions, morals, or sense of identity.

• Pathos may involve personal, heart-touching stories and emotional language or images.

• Pathos also can include flattery of the reader.

Examples of Pathos


• A commercial shows pictures of abused dogs while a sad song plays. The final words of the commercial are, “Will you protect our little angels for just $1.00 a day?”

• A politician says, “Now, I know all of you are all smart, hardworking folks who just want to achieve the American dream.”

• A preacher starts a sermon by telling a funny story about his child getting in trouble at school.

Let’s discuss Pathos!


• Look back at your list of things you would say to your parents to convince them to let you stay out later. Underline any statements that you think appeal to pathos.

• Discuss: Share your “pathos” statements. • Do you think your “pathos” statements

would be convincing? Why or why not?• Throughout the ages, many successful

rhetoricians have said that Pathos is the most effective rhetorical strategy. Do you agree? Why or why not?

What is Ethos? (“Character”)


• Ethos seeks to establish the speaker / writer’s good character and expertise. It tries to convince us of why we should listen to him or her.

• Ethos includes statements backing up the author’s credibility based on education, experience, or research.

• Ethos can also include discipline appropriate vocabulary and style of writing or speaking. For example, no one will listen to a carpenter who calls a hammer a “pounding in thingy.”

Examples of Ethos


• A teacher begins class on the first day of school by introducing herself, including talking about where she went to college and how many years of experience she has in education.

• A nurse explains to a nervous patient the procedure he will use to insert an IV needle and tells the patient that he does this procedure many times a day.

• A student writes in a paper, “According to Harvard researchers, the average teenager needs 8-10 hours of sleep per night.”

Let’s discuss Ethos!


• Look back at your list of things you would say to your parents to convince them to let you stay out later. Put a star by any statements that you think appeal to ethos.

• Discuss: Share your “ethos” statements. • When do you think ethos is an appropriate

rhetorical strategy to use?• Do you think your “ethos” statements would

be convincing? Why or why not?

Quick Review


• Emotional Appeal = Pathos• Ethical Appeal/Credibility = Ethos• Logical Appeal = Logos

Check for Understanding


• Please take out a piece of paper and rip it in thirds.

• On the first piece of paper, write Logos, on the

second piece, write Pathos, and on the third

piece, write Ethos.

• The following slides will contain examples of Logos, Pathos, or Ethos. After reading each statement, hold up the sign that corresponds to which rhetorical strategy is being used.



Pathos



“My fellow Americans, this is an amazing moment for me… I was born in Europe, and I've traveled all over the world. I can tell you that there is no place, no country, more compassionate more generous more accepting and more welcoming than the United States of America.”

– Arnold Schwartzenegger, “Address to the RNC,” 2004”

Ethos



Logos



Pathos“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”

-- John F. Kennedy, “Inaugural Address,” 1961



Logos

“More than half of the population of the United States is female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions. They have not even reached the level of tokenism yet. No women sit on the AFL-CIO council or Supreme Court. There have been only two women who have held Cabinet rank, and at present there are none. Only two women now hold ambassadorial rank in the diplomatic corps. In Congress, we are down to one Senator and 10 Representatives.”

-- Shirley Chisholm, “Equal Rights for Women,” 1969



Ethos



“As we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens, I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!”

- George W. Bush, “9/11 Bullhorn Speech”Pathos

It’s your turn to use rhetoric!This is an Assignment


Remember our earlier situation? You wanted to have your curfew extended to midnight, but you weren’t sure your parents would go for it!

Now that you understand rhetoric, craft a brief letter to your parents, convincing them to allow you to stay out later.

If you don’t like this topic, write a brief letter to your parents, convincing them to allow you to do something else.Make sure to use logos, pathos, and ethos in your letter.

It’s time to share!


Share your letter with a partner. See if you can identify examples of logos, pathos, and ethos in each other’s letters. Give feedback on what you thought was effective in the letter and what could be improved.


Did you like this resource? Find more like it at The Teacher Lady’s store on Teachers Pay Teachers or Teacher’s Notebook.

You can also stay in touch with me through my blog, by liking The Teacher Lady on Facebook, or following my Pinterest boards!

Thanks for choosing The Teacher Lady! -- Katrina

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Teacher-Lady

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/TheTeacherLady

http://theteacherladykatrina.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Teacher-Lady/116018721849459

http://pinterest.com/trina07/language-arts-fun/

http://pinterest.com/trina07/language-arts-fun/

By The Teacher LadyThe Teacher Lady ©The Teacher Lady, Katrina Groen, 2013. Clip Art used with...

Documents

Transcript of By The Teacher LadyThe Teacher Lady ©The Teacher Lady, Katrina Groen, 2013. Clip Art used with...