1) Notes: Persuasive Paper

2) Go over DCA persuasive essay assignment guidelines and

expectations

3) Prewriting and rough draf

Today: November 10, 2011

Persuasion: The Art of AristotleLogos, Pathos, Ethos

….and MORE!

Rhetoric

Aristotle's Rhetoric is an ancient Greek treatise on the art of persuasion, dating from the fourth century BCE.

The Rhetoric is regarded by most rhetoricians as "the most important single work on persuasion ever written."

LOGOS Definition: Logic An argument based on logos needs to be logical,

and in fact the term logic derives from it. Logos normally implies numbers, polls, and other mathematical or scientific data.

Logos has many advantages: Data is hard to manipulate, so it is harder to argue

against a logos argument. Logos makes the speaker look prepared and

knowledgeable to the audience, enhancing ethos.

Pathos Definition: An appeal to emotion Emotional appeal can be accomplished in a multitude of

ways: By metaphor or story telling, common as a hook, By a general passion in the delivery and an overall amount of

emotional items in the text of the speech, or in writing. In rhetoric, pathos is the use of emotional appeals to alter the

audience's judgment. A common use of pathos in argument is creating a sense of rejection if the audience doesn't agree. Creating a fear of rejection is in essence, creating a pathos argument.

Pathos (continued) Many refer to Pathos as the "band-wagon"

appeal, or trying to convince the audience to join in on the speaker's belief. By making the statement in a way that cannot be argued, the audience feels driven to believe the speaker's opinion as a fact, thus joining the speaker in belief as it being a commonly accepted idea. This is a major theme used in any form of propaganda.

Ethos Definition: Ethics At first speakers must establish ethos. On

the one hand, this can mean merely "moral competence", but Aristotle broadens this word to encompass expertise and knowledge.

“Trust me, I have been there before”

Rhetorical Questions A rhetorical question is a figure of speech

in the form of a question posed for rhetorical effect rather than to receive an answer.

They encourage the listener to reflect on what the implied answer to the question must be.

Alternate ViewPoints A.K.A. REBUTTAL, OPPOSING

ARGUMENTS What those who oppose your position would

argue If you are arguing in FAVOR of the death penalty,

what might some counter-arguments be? If you are arguing in FAVOR of open lunch for

sophomores, what might some counter-arguments be?

Counter-argument But…you CAN’T just state the counter-

argument…you must rebut it (tell WHY those who disagree with your position are wrong)

Modern Day “Rhetoric” The MULTI-BILLION dollar industry of

advertisement, still utilizes the philosophies that Aristotle put forth in in the fourth century BCE.

Slogans What is a slogan?

A phrase expressing the aims or nature of an enterprise, organization, or candidate; a motto

Can you name some famous slogans?

Top Slogans of the Past Decade DeBeer’s Diamonds: Frosted Flakes M&M’s Miller Lite Wheaties Energizer Batteries Life Alert Las Vegas #1 (Any guesses????)

Slogans Gone Bad The NOVA AWARDS!

http://www.tallrite.com/LightRelief/AdvertisingSlogans.htm

Definition: the substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener

Euphemisms

Advertising A “pre-owned vehicle” is really just a ____ Persuasion/Propaganda: A “conflict” or an “operation” is really just a

___________.

Used in:

Job Titles: A “maintenance engineer” is a________ A “canine relocation specialist” is a ______ A “domestic assistant” is a ___________. A “vision clearance engineer” is a _________. A “correctional facilities loss prevention

manager is a ______________.

Used in: (continued)

Definition: is language deliberately constructed to disguise or distort its actual meaning with the aim to deceive

Examples: “downsizing” George Bush says that we use “Advanced

interrogation techniques” instead of____ He also said that returning soldiers from the

middle east experience “operational exhaustion”

Doublespeak

Let’s take a look at the assignment: You may NOT use the first or second

person! (No I, me, my, you, your) You HAVE to take a stand (choose ONE

side of the issue and prove it) You HAVE to address the alternate

viewpoints You MUST turn it in on time!