PersuasionThroughRhetoric

Supplementary Material (pages 2 – 5)

RHETORIC is the art of PERSUASION.

It differs from LOGIC, which seeks to establish a conclusion.

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Rhetoric uses the psychological (rhetorical)

force of expressions to influence our attitudes.

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EXAMPLE:

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Calling a scientist a “so-called” scientist suggests he/she is something less than a true scientist.

It DOWNPLAYS his/her credentials.

NOTHING WRONG with trying to be persuasive or

with using rhetoric to dress up or sell an argument.

Good writers choose words carefully, to make their writing

persuasive.

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But this is CRITICAL THINKING!

It means not being SEDUCED by rhetoric.

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Being able to make wise decisions and reasonable and

well-founded judgments…

…depends largely on our ability to “see through” rhetoric to evidence and argument.

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Distinguish between rhetoric and argument

Be able to identify the more common forms of rhetoric

We should be able to do this:

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Specifically, these: Euphemism/

dysphemism Persuasive analogy,

persuasive definition, and persuasive explanation

Innuendo Loaded question

Hyperbole Stereotype Ridicule/

sarcasm Weaseler Downplayer Proof surrogate

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Ridicule/Sarcasm“John McCain made a great speech last night.

Everyone awakened feeling refreshed.”

Specific rhetorical devices.

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Hyperbole (hype; exaggeration)“Is Deborah generous? She’d give you her life

savings if she thought you were in need.”

Specific rhetorical devices.

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Euphemism (makes it sound better)“collateral damage”; “sleeping around” Dysphemism (makes it sound worse)“junk food”; “geezer”

Specific rhetorical devices.

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Rhetorical definition“An environmentalist is a tree-hugging

extremist.” Rhetorical explanation“The reason environmentalists won’t let you cut

down a tree is they want to put everyone out of work.”

Rhetorical analogy“Your average environmentalist is about as

smart as a toilet seat.”

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Stereotype“What did he expect marrying her? She’s just a

dumb blond.” Downplayer“Pornography is a problem, but we must protect

free speech.”

“These self-appointed experts on the environment are just trying to scare us.”

Proof surrogate“Clearly she shouldn’t have done that.”

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Innuendo“I didn’t say Bush invaded Iraq to help his

buddies in the oil industry. I just said his buddies have done very well since the invasion.”

Weaseler Loaded question —rests on an

assumption that should have been established but wasn’t

“When did you stop cheating on your girl friend?”

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“This may cure your problem.”

NEVER dismiss a statement or argument simply because it contains rhetoric. Rhetoric has a legitimate place in discourse. A solid claim or a good argument may well contain powerful rhetoric.

But don’t accept a statement/argument BECAUSE of its rhetorical force. Evaluate it on its MERITS!

One final caution:

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