What is Rhetoric?

• Modes of argument or persuasion
• Refers to how a speaker or communicator reaches his/her audience
• The effect of the writing or speaking process
  • caused the reader to react, think, cry, laugh
  • appeal to the audience for different affects/impacts - persuasion

Quintilian: "the art of speaking well"

What Do they Mean?

Take 3-5 minutes to look at all the definitions supplied by our American Rhetoric online source. Which definition do you like the most and gives us a unique perspective on rhetoric? What did you choose?

The Rhetorical Triangle

THE CANONS OF RHETORIC! - Steps in a rhetorical message

• Invention: What are main points and what is the content of the message? Evidence is...
• Arrangement: Organization of content, logical ways of presenting points...
• Style: How language/communication is used... engaging and pleasing to audience attention and can look like...
• Memory: Strategies for talking about content; how we prep for content (e.g. artifacts for presentation are...)
• Delivery: THE Presentation - HOW we convey a message NOT the What (Invention)... 

Argumentative Appeals

• Pathos
• Ethos
• Logos
• Kairos

*These can be used alone but often work well together*

ALSO CONSIDER THESE WHEN THINKING ABOUT HOW AN AUTHOR MAKES USE OF THE APPEALS.

• Audience Analysis/Awareness
• Figurative Language
• Propaganda Devices

LET'S LOOK AND ANALYZE EXAMPLES...

Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos Comments?

PATHOS

• refers to an "appeal to the emotions"
• When using this argument style, the author and text is trying to gain the reader or audience's support through personal stories, inspiration, and feelings.
• Using this argument style, authors are more concerned with the audience reaction and reception to what they have to say. 
• Quick way to generate a "call to activism."
• Focuses mostly on style/atmosphere of a text.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos Comments?

Ethos

• refers to an "appeal to credibility" 
• Use of expert, personal knowledge testimony; establishes morality, concern for the audience.
• This argument appeal is meant to be most reflective of the speaker speaking. The focus of Ethos is: Does what the author says seem believable?
• Example: Can we trust someone writing scientifically about Hurricanes who works at a gas station? 
• This appeal has more to do with the author's background; focuses on purpose and tone

Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos - Comments?

Logos

• refers to an "appeal to reason or logic"
• Within this appeal, the reader is more concerned with the content of the message than the author or emotions.
• Use of eye-witness accounts, scientific claims, statistics, data are signs of this appeal.
• Example: Is what I'm reading actually make sense or does the writer contradict himself/herself?
• More concerned with presentation/delivery

Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos- Comments?

Kairos

• refers to an appeal of "timing and placement"
• Within this appeal, the content and argument is most effectively given after a relevant event.
• The longer you wait to make your argument as time passes the weaker the argument's kairos is. 
• Good Example: BP Oil Spill happens causes a surge in anti-pollution speeches. 

You are a Rhetorical Machine Activity!

1. From our readings on rhetoric, what specific concept, appeal, or idea about rhetoric do you have experience with whether discussing, writing about, or seeing online? WRITE about this experience with rhetoric (250 words)

2. CREATE a sample poster/advertisement that uses rhetorical appeals for a specific goal/agenda (use a model you find online as an example; or craft your own idea)

• Who is listening; who is your audience?
• What message are you selling?
• What artifacts or visuals will you use with your appeal?
• What Site might this appear on?

Role Play, Get Creative, BUT BE PERSUASIVE!!!

3. DEMONSTRATE your rhetorical knowledge - later in class we will share what we created or screen mirror an example of what our created samples were trying to achieve.

Rhetoric & Propaganda: The Game!

What will you score? What will you invent? What can you learn about Rhetoric and Propaganda tactics?

Rhetoric & Propaganda (THE GAME)

PART 1: Everyone take a turn and Role 2 White Dice... What did you ROLE? Follow the handout worksheet for each step.

• IF you roled 2-4 you get the
  • RED DICE: PATHOS
• IF you roled 5-7 you get the
  • BLUE DICE: ETHOS
• IF you roled 8-10 you get the
  • GREEN DICE: LOGOS
• IF you roled 11-12 you get the
  • YELLOW DICE: KAIROS

*No more than 2 of the same in the group

*Challenge a group member for a specific color - highest role wins

Rhetoric & Propaganda (THE GAME)

Part 1 Continued: POINTS OR TASKS (based on colored role)

1. Give a Definition; Explain the concept (start with the basics; on repeated roles how you would use this appeal creatively)
2. Give a company/organization you haven't used yet that uses this appeal. Explain.
3. In School or my major, this appeal looks like what? Apply to your field of interest.
4. In an argument, I think this appeal could be effective to accomplish... what?
5. What social media platform may use this appeal a lot? Specific example?
6. What popular media (film, music, etc.) may also target us with this rhetoric appeal?

Rhetoric & Propaganda (THE GAME)

Part 2: WHO HAS THE HIGHEST COLORED DIE SCORE AT THE TABLE? -- THIS PERSON GETS TWO WOODEN DICE I DISTRIBUTE AND ROLES FOR THE GROUP.

PROPAGANDA TO DISCUSS BASED ON ROLE:

1-3. Name-Calling, Glittering Generalities, Plain Folks Appeal

4-6. Argumentum Ad Populum (Stroking) Argumentum Ad Hominem & Transfer (Guilt or Glory By Association)

7-9. Bandwagon, Faulty Cause and Effect, False Analogy

10-12. Begging the Question, The Two-Extremes Fallacy (False Dilemma), Card-Stacking, Testimonials

• As a group, create or discuss a scenario where this type of propaganda could be used to great effect or contribute to the group thread based on the questions posed in your worksheet. Leader should ask who wants to tackle which prompt.