LANGUAGE AND POWER:

THE ART OF RHETORIC

BY MARTA & JOHARA

TABLE OF CONTENT

• ​RHETORIC
• Definition
• Components of rhetoric
• Modes of persuasion
• Political rhetoric
• BARACK OBAMA
• Background
• Use of rhetoric devices
• MARGARET THATCHER
• Background
• Use of rhetoric devices
• CONCLUSION
• SOURCES

Rhetoric

definition:

The ability to use language effectively to persuade and influence an audience.

Components of rhetoric

•  The purpose of the speech
• What does the speaker want to say ?

• The audience
• Who is the speaker talking to ?

•  The appeals / modes
• How does a speaker persuade an audience in favor of his case ?

Modes of Persuasion

ethos - credibility

pathos - emotion

logos - reason, logic

Political rhetoric

• correct use of stylistic devices can help attain political success
• increasingly important in democratic societies 

BARACK OBAMA

Inclusive 'we'

The use of a first person plural pronoun to create a sense of community.

definition:

Metaphor

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics

definition:

That spirit of discovery is in our DNA. We’re Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers and George Washington Carver. We’re Grace Hopper and Katherine Johnson and Sally Ride. We’re every immigrant and entrepreneur from Boston to Austin to Silicon Valley racing to shape a better world.

Hyperbole

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​

A figure of speech, which involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis

definition:

We could come here a thousand times, and each time our hearts would break.

-
So may God bless the memory of the millions.

    Rhetorical question

​
​

A rhetorical question is asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected

definition:

Now, you may ask, why are we here at Hudson Valley? We're here because this is a place where anyone with the desire to take their career to a new level or start a new career altogether has the opportunity to pursue that dream.

Rule of Three / Tricolor

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​

A series of three words, phrases or sentences that are parallel in structure, length and/or rhythm

definition:

Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.

-

Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley.

Antithesis

A rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect

definition:

There is not a liberal America and a conservative America—there is the United States of America.

-

There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America—there's the United States of America.

MARGARET THATCHER

Anaphora

the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect

definition:

Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.

Where there is error, may we bring truth.

Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.

And where there is despair, may we bring hope 

Pun

A pun is a play on words in which a humorous effect is produced by using a word that suggests two or more meanings or by exploiting similar sounding words having different meanings

definition:

To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say: You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning.

Alliteration

A stylistic device in which a number of words, having the same first consonant, occur close together in a series

definition:

The truth is that possession of the nuclear deterrent has prevented not only nuclear war but also conventional war and to us, peace is precious beyond price. We are the true peace party.

Metaphor

Metaphor is a figure of speech which makes an implicit, implied or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics

definition:

People are really rather afraid that we’ll all be swamped by people of a different culture. And you know, the britisch character has done so much for democracy, for law and done so much throughout the world.

Metanoia

A rhetorical device used to retract a statement just made, and then state it in a "better" way. Metanoia is used in recalling a statement in two ways — to weaken the prior declaration or to strengthen it.

definition:

People on all levels of income are better off than they were in 1979. The hon. Gentleman is saying that he would rather that the poor were poorer, provided that the rich were less rich. That way one will never create the wealth for better social services, as we have. What a policy. Yes, he would rather have the poor poorer, provided that the rich were less rich. That is the Liberal policy.

Language does not just reflect reality; it selects reality. Thus language directs us towards seeing some things and ignoring others.

- KENNETH BURKE

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION