The Rhetorical TriangleThe Rhetorical Triangle

AP Language and CompositionAP Language and Composition

KurtzKurtz

2010-20112010-2011

AP Lang Journal: 8/26/10AP Lang Journal: 8/26/10

““Words - so innocent and powerless as Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to the hands of one who knows how to combine them.”  ~Nathaniel Hawthorne combine them.”  ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

How can you use words to become potent How can you use words to become potent for good and evil? for good and evil?

Taken from: http://www.usna.edu/Users/english/mace/slide1.html

Rhetorical context

AudienceAudience

What does your audience already know What does your audience already know about the subject?about the subject?

What prejudices will they have?What prejudices will they have? What will they expect?What will they expect? What should they learn?What should they learn?

Writer or SpeakerWriter or Speaker

How will you show your credibility?How will you show your credibility? How will you show your expertise?How will you show your expertise? What is your goal or purpose?What is your goal or purpose? How can you make an impression?How can you make an impression?

PurposePurpose

Do you want to persuade?Do you want to persuade? Explain?Explain? Narrate?Narrate? Describe?Describe? Inform?Inform? Express yourself?Express yourself?

EthosEthos writers writers appeal to a reader’s senseappeal to a reader’s sense of of

ethos (notice wording)ethos (notice wording) Sense of characterSense of character Is the writer credible or trustworthy?Is the writer credible or trustworthy? May emphasize shared values between May emphasize shared values between

audience and writeraudience and writer May involve writer’s reputationMay involve writer’s reputation May make a good impressionMay make a good impression Expertise, knowledge, experience, Expertise, knowledge, experience,

training, sincerity, or a combinationtraining, sincerity, or a combination

LogosLogos Writers Writers appeal to a reader’s senseappeal to a reader’s sense of of

logos (notice wording)logos (notice wording) Offer clear, rational ideasOffer clear, rational ideas logiclogic Have main ideas, specific details, facts, Have main ideas, specific details, facts,

data, or testimoniesdata, or testimonies Appealing to logos also means offering Appealing to logos also means offering

counterargumentscounterarguments ConcedeConcede that there are other viewpoints that there are other viewpoints RefuteRefute those other viewpoints those other viewpoints

PathosPathos Writers Writers appeal to a reader’s senseappeal to a reader’s sense of of

pathos (notice wording)pathos (notice wording) Using emotions can be effective for your Using emotions can be effective for your

audienceaudience Using correct words, understanding Using correct words, understanding

implied word meaning: implied word meaning: connotationconnotation Include concrete, vivid detailsInclude concrete, vivid details Figurative languageFigurative language Use of visual images to appeal to Use of visual images to appeal to

emotionsemotions

In-Class ActivityIn-Class Activity

Break students into small groups of 3 or 4. Break students into small groups of 3 or 4. Select a presenter and a recorder.Select a presenter and a recorder. Take an advertisement from Mrs. KurtzTake an advertisement from Mrs. Kurtz Consider the questions on the handout about the author, message, Consider the questions on the handout about the author, message,

and receiver of their chosen ad. Also consider what appeals the and receiver of their chosen ad. Also consider what appeals the advertisers are using to sell their product.advertisers are using to sell their product.

The recorder should note down the most important points discussed The recorder should note down the most important points discussed by the group.by the group.

The presenter should present the group’s ideas to the class.The presenter should present the group’s ideas to the class.

Closing:Closing:

What did you learn today?What did you learn today? How will you use it?How will you use it? Do you have any questions:Do you have any questions:

Homework: Complete the Analyzing Media Homework: Complete the Analyzing Media messages Assignmentmessages Assignment

Rhetorical Triangle, Day 2Rhetorical Triangle, Day 2

Journal 8/27/10: After watching Journal 8/27/10: After watching commercials last night, what did you commercials last night, what did you discover about advertisement?discover about advertisement?

Be prepared to share your input with the Be prepared to share your input with the class.class.

Group ActivityGroup Activity

In groups of three, you are going to write an appeal In groups of three, you are going to write an appeal based upon based upon ethos, pathos, ethos, pathos, and and logos.logos.

Everyone will have the same prompt, but your Everyone will have the same prompt, but your appeal must be based on one of the appeals of the appeal must be based on one of the appeals of the rhetorical triangle.rhetorical triangle.

Here is the prompt…Here is the prompt…

Drunk drivers should be imprisoned on the first Drunk drivers should be imprisoned on the first offense. offense.

Your group will have 15 minutes to work on the Your group will have 15 minutes to work on the appeal. appeal.

You will present your appeal to the class.You will present your appeal to the class.

Closing 8/27/10Closing 8/27/10

What did you learn that was exciting What did you learn that was exciting today?today?

How will this knowledge improve your How will this knowledge improve your life?life?

How was it relevant to the essential How was it relevant to the essential question?question?

Journal 8/31/10Journal 8/31/10

What does it mean to be ethical? What What does it mean to be ethical? What are some components of being ethical?are some components of being ethical?

Closing 8/31/10Closing 8/31/10

Summarize how Virtue Ethics Summarize how Virtue Ethics influences your writing and how you influences your writing and how you can use virtue ethics to persuade your can use virtue ethics to persuade your audience.audience.