WRITING 122WEEK 2

Lansing Community College

Suzanne WebbJanuary 15, 2010

Rhetoric & Argument Part II

A (Partial) Rhetorical Analysisof Olbermann’s Argument

My Thoughts

We’re going to revisit Olbmermann’s argument in this ppt. Not because it’s the greatest argument ever, or that I agree or disagree, but because it is an example of a reasoned, well-written argument. We’ll look at it RHETORICALLY—that is based the canons of rhetoric (invention, arrangement, style, memory, delivery) and on the modes of argument (ethos, pathos, logos)

The 5 Canons of Rhetoric

Invention Arrangement Style Memory Delivery

The 5 Canons of Rhetoric

Invention Coming up with something to say

Invention

Let’s look at the Olbermann video. What does he “invent” to write about?

His father’s health is a personal “in” to the argument on health care for all of America.

Your Responses & Comments “What I think really helped his

argument as well was being able to bring his own personal experiences to the issue.”

Sue says: This is something you, too, should do: Find a personal experience to bring to bear on your argument.

Arrangement

How does Olbermann arrange his argument?

He starts with a “personal narrative”—his father. Then he “moves” the audience through reasoned claims and support about America’s current (and future) state of health care. He finishes by talking about how it all comes down to money.

Arrangement

Let’s look at Olbermann’s “moves” What do I even mean by that?

How he LEADS the audience through his words

Arrangement

Notice how he brings “us” together through the use of “we.”

He tells us that he will speak on Healthcare (announces his topic)

He uses the “we” to tell us how we ALL are affected by this issue.

Arrangement

He tells us a historical perspective (Winston Churchill)

He then takes us through the idea of a “public option” and gives us reasons we may not yet understand what it all means. He says that the words used to describe this option by congress are vague and confusing to us, the American public. He gives evidence as to how this is so.

Arrangement

Next, he moves to focusing on what its like to stay in a hospital. Gives us gritty (visual) details of what’s that’s like.

Then, he talks about the bills. The costs of hospitalization. The $$$. He brings in numbers and facts about the number of uninsured.

Arrangement

Olbermann takes a pause and goes to talking about his father. The LIVED EXPERIENCE.

In doing this, he is THREADING together this argument in a very complex manner, but he believed (or, his producers believed) this to be the most effective way to organize his information.

You’ll have to decide what the most effective way is to organize YOUR information.

Style

How does Olbermann talk?

He seems to me to be speaking to an educated audience.

He uses punctuation, grammar, and even citation (*more on citation to come).

Your Comments/Responses “[Olbermann] showed me style

techniques for putting together an interesting argument.”

Style

Punctuation? In a speech? Well, yes. Use of pauses and varying sentence structure add to style.

He even messes with conventional sentence style/structure (“Irony, this.”), but he does it on purpose and with purpose—and it works.

Style

Sue says: We should note that while one person might say that “Olbermann is a gifted public speaker” another might say “Olbermann is a verbose windbag.” I’m of the mindset that he’s some of both

Your Comments & Responses “[Olbermann’s] argument wasn't so

much about what side of the health care issue [to be on] but he went right to true heart of the issue, that we all will do what we can to put off death and if that is threatened, our survival mode kicks in.”

Delivery

Did Olbermann “wing it”?

He talked for 45 minutes.

My thought is that this was a WRITTEN TEXT long before it became an oral performance.

We can all learn a lot from this speech.

Delivery

This is a complex argument. But, most are. Most arguments are threaded in that they weave together the claims and their evidence from outside sources along with personal lived experience. They combine statistics (logos) and appeals to an audience’s emotions (pathos). They weave together definitions, causes and effects, pros and cons.

Delivery

The most important thing to remember about weaving all of these things together is to do so in a manner that your audience sees the logic—a manner they can follow and understand.

You do this with your arrangement & delivery as well as with transitions.

Delivery (& arrangement)

Transitions … Move your audience A FEW EXAMPLES: Besides that… In addition to… Another

example of this…furthermore… But…Another point of view is…In

contrast… Consequently … subsequently … If/then…

Study Guide

They Say / I Say this is a link! This pdf is a helpful guide for

incorporating sources and writing better transitions.

Check it out!

When Writing an Argument You are attempting to convince

readers of something… To change their minds To urge them to do something To address a problem where no simple

solution exists

When Writing an Argument

Olbermann certainly attempts to address a problem where no simple solution exists. This (health care reform) is a VERY complex issue—

There is NO WAY to argue it in 900-1100 words (your short essays)!

There is NO WAY to argue it in 1400-1600 words! (your long essays).

It took him 45 minutes. That’s around a 30-page paper!

When Writing an Argument Shape your appeal to your audience

Establish common ground Respect your audience’s interests and views Choose examples the audience can relate to Use language appropriate to your audience

When Writing an Argument

Olbermann establishes common ground He respects his audience’s interests

and views He chooses examples the audience can

relate to (Tiny Tim / Charles Dickens!) He uses language appropriate to his

audience

Your Comments & Responses “[I]n order to gain attention

from others (audience), it is crucial to have the topic relate to them.”

Sue says: It is crucial to have [the audience] relate.

Your Comments/Responses [Olbermann] helped me understand that in

order to gain the attention of your audience you have to be able to relate to them. You also have to make them understand the severity of the situation. He did so by incorporating the fact that health care reform ultimately comes down to life and death. He made it seem that if a person were to choose the wrong side, then he or she would be condemning us all to do die. I'm not saying that I agree or disagree with him, but he does make a very compelling argument, which is what his intent was in the first place.

Analyzing the Argument p71 EDW What is the main issue (stasis) What emotional, ethical and logical

appeals can you use? How can you establish your credibility? What sources do you have? How current and reliable are they? Does your thesis reflect your claim

accurately?

Olbermann’s Evidence

Olbermann establishes stasis (the issue) Olbermann draws from personal

experience He draws on our Pathos (our emotions) He gives us facts/logic (logos) (especially

that we will all, eventually, die) He even drew on classic literature

(Charles Dickens)

Your Responses & Comments “[A]n argument essay [is]

something without a right answer but a tool for debate and a guide to help others form an opinion.”

Logos :: Pathos :: Ethos

Logos The appeal to reason (logic)

Pathos The appeal to emotion (values)

Ethos The appeal to character (ethics)

Logos :: Pathos :: Ethos Logos

Use of facts, numbers, statistics Pathos

Use of his father’s illness AND use of a common denominator—we ALL (will) get sick.

Ethos Uses his lived experience through his

father AND his reputation as an orator and a commentator.

Your Comments/Responses “[W]hen you question someone's

beliefs on how this should be handled, it is very easy to upset your audience very quickly.”

My Thoughts

Sue says: Maybe Olbermann didn’t want his audience to “take a side.” Maybe he was giving us a “call to action.” Maybe he wanted us to get involved, think, —realize— that this issue is complex and it involves each and every one of us. Maybe THAT was his main point?

When Writing an Argument Logos :: reason

“The facts don’t lie” Use of evidence Trustworthy sources Clearly defined terms

When Writing an Argument Pathos :: emotion of the reader

Reminds us of deeply held values Stirs reader’s emotions Creates a strong emotional appeal

When Writing an Argument Ethos :: character of the writer

The credibility, moral character, and goodwill of the writer (ethics)

Knowledgeable on the subject? Trustworthy? In the best interest of the audience?

Your Responses & Comments “In view of ethos, I felt Olbermann

lent himself the greatest credibility through his intimate connection to the ongoing health care concerns and his first hand experience. “

Your Comments/Responses “[T]he Olbermann clip seemed … personal.

He spoke of death often and how the people do not understand the current health bill but did not elaborate any further. He did point out flaws from both the liberals and conservatives, however did not clarify on the issue of mass confusion. Therefore, it was hard for me to take a side on that particular subject.”

Your Comments/Responses One of the key things [Olbermann] uses is

repetition and mental images. The strongest sense we have is sight and to give us a picture to think of is a very powerful skill, he uses his words to make a very clear image of how hospitals are run and the problems they have before explaining what needs to be done to fix them. What he shows us are a great many ways to persuade your audience.

When Writing an Argument Identify the elements of an

argument Most arguments share a claim, reasons for that claim, warrants (assumptions) which connect the claim to the reasons, evidence (facts, credible opinions, examples, statistics), and qualifiers (limiting of the claim)

When Writing an Argument Identify the elements of an argument

Claim Reasons, for that claim Warrants or assumptions, which connect

the claim to the reasons Evidence, facts, credible opinions,

examples, statistics Qualifiers, limits of the claim

When Writing an Argument Demonstrate Knowledge

Use credible sources

Demonstrate Fairness Consider the other side in your paper

adds to your credibility (a requirement)

Your Responses & Comments “[A]n argument is not so hard when

it comes to having the right sources to defend your position and make clear statements to overcome any upcoming obstacles.”

Organizing an Argument

The Classical System1. Introduction2. Background3. Lines of Argument4. Alternative arguments5. Conclusion

Organizing an Argument

The Toulmin System1. Make your claim2. Qualify your claim3. Present good reasons as support4. Explain the underlying assumptions5. Provide additional evidence6. Acknowledge possible counter arguments7. Draw your conclusions

The 5 Canons of Rhetoric

Invention Arrangement Style Memory Delivery

The Modes of Argument

Ways to appeal to your audience

ETHOS (the ethics of the speaker/writer)

PATHOS (the emotions of the audience)

LOGOS (the logic of the argument)

Finding Good Arguments

Once you start finding resources in the LCC databases, you’ll be looking at quality written arguments. These will either support or refute your own stand (stasis) … and, if you prefer the written examples, think of all (almost all) scholarly articles as arguments. Also, we’ll look at some student-written arguments in the weeks to come as well.

until next time…