The Rhetorical Triangle

ArgumentationEVERYTHING IS AN ARGUMENT

EVERYTHING!!!!!

Letters to the EditorExample: letter concerning the re-naming of Highway 290 as Ronald Reagan Highway You are basically arguing whether this is a good idea.

Personal Narrativerole of childhood friends most important relative connection to your name biggest embarrassment greatest loss greatest learning experience

ApplicationJobs- High School through AdulthoodHonor SocietyCollege Acceptance

Expository EssayExplain the merits (or ills) of ColumbusExplain the causes of the Civil WarExplain the efficacy of dropping the bomb on HiroshimaExplain the racial subtexts of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Rhetorical TriangleSpeakerAudienceSubjectby AristotleWhat is rhetoric?The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively. [American Heritage College Dictionary]

Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion. [Aristotle]Aristotle believed that from the world around them, speakers could: observe how communication happens and use that to develop sound and convincing arguments.Aristotle said that when a rhetor (speaker) begins to consider how to compose a speech, he/she must take into account 3 elements: the subject, the audience, and the speaker.AudienceSpeakerSubjectSubjectThe writer/speaker: evaluates what he/she knows already and needs to know,investigates perspectives (researches), anddetermines kinds of evidence or proofs seem most useful (supports assertions with appropriate evidence).AudienceThe writer/speaker: speculates about audience expectations and knowledge of subject, anduses own experience and observation to help decide on how to communicate with audience.SpeakerThe writer/speaker uses: who they are, what they know and feel, and what theyve seen and done to find their attitudes toward a subject and their understanding of audience.AppealsThe writer/speaker uses different approaches to influence the audiences attitude toward the subject. These are:LogosEthosPathos LogosThe writer/speaker: offers clear, reasonable premises and proofs,develops ideas with appropriate details, andmakes sure readers can follow the progression of ideas.EthosThe writer/speaker uses it when:he/she demonstrates that they are credible, good-willed, & knowledgeable andhe/she connects their thinking to the readers own ethical or moral beliefs.

Audiences and speakers should assume the best intentions and most thoughtful search for truths.PathosThe writer/speaker:draws on emotions and interests of readers andhighlights those emotions using 1) personal stories and observations to provoke audiences sympathetic reaction and2) figurative language to heighten emotional connections.Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy calls attention to ethical qualities of the speaker and listener (ethos)proposes a solution to the countrys problems by enlisting the citizens help (logos)calls forth emotional patriotism (pathos)Context and PurposeContext: the situation in which writing and reading occur

Purpose: the emerging aim that underlies many of the writers decisionsRhetorical Triangle PlusContext/AimSpeakerSubjectAudienceContext/AimThe importance of context (the situation in which writing and reading occur) is especially obvious in comedy and political writing. One reason comedy is difficult sometimes is that the events alluded to are no longer current for readers and the humor is missed. Students who understand context learn how and why they write differently in history class and English or biology. Different contexts (such as letters to the editor or study notes for other students) highlights how context can alter rhetorical choices in form and content.Intention (or aim) is key to rhetorical effectiveness. Words and forms carry writers intentions, but those aims can be miscommunicated. Intention is sometimes embodied in a thesis statement but is also carried throughout a piece and often changes. Visual rhetoric includes symbolic gestures, graphic designs, and action shots in films.

For example:Why does Picasso use color and action in the way he does in Guernica?Letters to the EditorPersonal Narrative

Persuasive Debate(oral or written)Job Application /

Resume

Expository Essay

(i.e. for History)Poetry?????

Yep!