Rhetorical Devices

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Rhetorical Devices

• Learning Target
• Understand (and be able to identify) ethos,
  pathos, and logos as devices of rhetoric which
  work to increase the effectiveness of
  communication

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THE BASICS Follow Along in your Notes

• An appeal is a request or plea
• Good persuasive writing often uses several
  different types of appeals, most often ethos,
  logos, and pathos
• Rhetoric the art of effective or persuasive
  speaking or writing
• Therefore, rhetorical devices are the ways in
  which you persuade (appeals such as ethos, logos,
  and pathos)
• While writing, you must also think about who your
  audience is
• How can you appeal to your audience using ethos,
  pathos, and logos? Well learn how!!!!

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Pathos (Emotion)

• Persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions,
  sympathies, and imagination
• Causes an audience not just to respond
  emotionally but to identify with the writer's
  point of view--to feel what the writer feels
• 'to suffer'--to feel pain imaginatively....
• Can appeal to both positive (happiness) and
  negative (anger) emotions whatever will motivate
  people to act/think a certain way!

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How to use Pathos

• Can be done through narrative or story (drawing
  from personal experiences when appropriate)
• Good to use sensory details and vivid language
• Consider the wants, needs, and values that the
  majority of people share (safety, wellness,
  personal freedom, etc.) Think about how you can
  use these

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Example

• some of you have come here out of great
  trials and tribulations. Some of you have come
  fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you
  have come from areas where your quest -- quest
  for freedom left you battered by the storms of
  persecution and staggered by the winds of police
  brutality. You have been the veterans of creative
  suffering. Go back to Mississippi, go back to
  Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to
  Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the
  slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing
  that somehow this situation can and will be
  changed. I Have a Dream by Martin Luther
  King Jr. (August 28th, 1963)
• To which emotions does Dr. King appeal?

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More Examples

• How is pathos used in this commercial on animal
  cruelty? Make a list of the emotions you feel as
  you watch and what it makes you want to do.
  
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?v9gspElv1yvc
• How is pathos used in this commercial for the
  Ministry of Education? Make a list of what
  emotions the ad is trying to get at.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vRlHyzS48RxI

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Logos (Logic)

• Persuading by the use of clear reasoning
• You are supporting your position with reasons
  that appeal to your readers logic, their common
  sense
• Involves facts, statistics, and other supporting
  evidence
• Presenting proof of what you are saying

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How to use Logos

• Give definitions and clear explanations
• Cite reputable sources (experts in the field!)
• Giving detailed examples
• Reasoning in a way that is understandable (can be
  followed by your audience)
• That textual evidence stuff weve been having
  you do Thats Logos! ?

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Example

• You want your parent(s) to order pizza for
  dinner How do you convince them? Logos!...
• Pizza tastes delicious and allows freedom of
  choice (different toppings)
• The local pizza place is family-owned and run,
  and we should really support our local economy.
• We havent had pizza in a really long time.
• We have a coupon for a free pizza, and its going
  to expire next week, so week should use it now!
• Pizza is healthy because it contains ingredients
  from various food groups (wheat, proteins, etc.)

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Another Example

• How do many car commercials use Logos to convince
  viewers to buy?
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vRiA-u4pzGf0
• http//www.youtube.com/user/scion?vgD-oDXcSodg

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In Your Writers Notebook

• Write down at least 2 things you learned about
  Patrick Henry (or the time period)
  OR
• Write down at least 2 questions you have about
  Patrick Henry (or the late 1700s in general)

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Ethos (Ethical Appeal/Credibility)

• Means convincing the audience of the writer or
  speakers credibility (their reputation,
  knowledge, or expertise in the field)
• Making yourself someone who is likable and worthy
  of respect (Because we tend to believe people
  whom we respect)

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How to use Ethos

• Listing your qualifications/credentials
  (schooling, degree(s)) Let them know your
  authority and experience!
• Showing that you have close association with the
  topic Maybe you have had some personal
  experiences or have been directly affected by the
  issue at hand

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How to use Ethos

• Example You are arguing against smoking in
  public places, and you give scenarios about times
  you have been enjoying dinner with your family
  and have been plagued by second-hand smoke.
• Why would you include ETHOS in your writing??
  Because it gives substance to what you are
  saying! It makes you more believable, which
  increases your chances of being able to persuade
  your audience ?(Which is the goal!)

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Also Consider

• Trustworthiness (Do you give your audience reason
  to trust in you and believe what you say?)
• Similarity (Do you give your audience a way to
  identify with you?)
• Reassure readers/listeners that you have strong
  character and you know what youre talking about!

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An Example

• As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I
  have directed that all measures be taken for our
  defense. But always will our whole nation
  remember the character of the onslaught against
  us. (from Pres. Roosevelts Pearl Harbor Address)

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While You Are Writing

• Dont mistake ethos for logos
• Even if you provide evidence to support your
  claims and maybe give quotes from doctors or
  lawyers or other professionals
• Dont think that makes YOU credible!
• Unless you studied with the doctor or lawyer, you
  were an apprentice or student, you participated
  in the research This is not ethos!
• You need to show readers what you know

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• Audience Parents
• Ethos recognizable name brand anticipate
  audiences worries about germs
• Logos germs make kids sick disinfectants kill
  germs kids share germs with each other
• Pathos the little girls look cute and sweet, no
  one would want them to get sick parents will do
  or buy anything to protect their children

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• Audience young adults ages 18
• Ethos it is asking for help from the audience
  using a universal star appeals to a wider
  ethnic audience
• Logos how we vote now affects our future we
  may not be around in the future, but our children
  will be
• Pathos people want to give their children the
  best having the flag in color promotes
  patriotic feelings her face looks like shes
  pleading with the audience

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Questions????
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