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RHETORIC“The art of finding the available means of
persuasion in a given case” - Aristotle
Rhetoric refers to:the art of finding and analyzing all the choices involving language that a writer, speaker, reader or listener might make in a situation so that the text becomes meaningful, purposeful, and effective for readers or listeners.
the specific features of texts, written or spoken, that cause them to be meaningful, purposeful, and effective for readers or listeners in a situation.
Interactive MeaningThe meaning of a text does not reside solely within the writer.
The meaning of a text does not reside solely within the reader.
The meaning of a text does not reside solely within the words.
Interactive MeaningThe meaning of a text is created by the interaction of the writer’s words and the reader’s assumptions, experiences, knowledge, and beliefs.
This is known as the rhetorical transaction.
The Rhetorical Triangle(the rhetorical “transaction”)
Writer/Speaker
Reader/Audience Text/Subject
Rhetoric is an activity engaged in by the writer, speaker, reader, or listener.
Writers use rhetoric in the creation of the text.
Readers use rhetoric to understand and analyze text.
As a result, both need to be aware of all the choices involving language available to a writer or speaker in any given situation.
Rhetorical analysis is analyzing these “available means.”
A Web of Rhetorical Analysis
ExigenceAudiencePurpose
Logos
Ethos Pathos
Organization/Whole Text Structure
Diction Syntax Imagery Figurative Language
Rhetorical Situation
Appeals
Arrangement
Style
Rhetorical SituationExigence = Urgency with which a writer feels compelled to share something with someone else - tells us “why” and “so what.”Audience = To whom the writer is speaking - can be primary or secondary, can be immediate or mediated.Purpose = Writers and speakers don’t produce texts for no good reason. They always want their texts to MEAN SOMETHING and DO SOMETHING. If it doesn’t lead to the audience’s making meaning with it, it’s not rhetorically successful.
AppealsLogosLogos (most central to rhetorical transaction) (most central to rhetorical transaction)•The argument being madeThe argument being made•Logical and rational meaningLogical and rational meaningEthosEthos •Credibility: why should we believe the Credibility: why should we believe the speaker?speaker?•Show good sense, good character, and good Show good sense, good character, and good willwillPathosPathos•Self interestsSelf interests•EmotionsEmotions
Arrangement
•Organization•Whole Text Structure•Sequencing of arguments made
Arrangement The Classical Model
•Introduction (exordium) - get the reader’s attention, establish ethos
•Narration (narratio) - facts and background, set up the problem, guided by the particular audience
•Confirmation (confirmatio) - proof, evidence, and details, appeals to pathos and logos
•Refutation (refutatio) - address a counterargument•Conclusion (peroratio) - bring the essay to a satisfying close, DOES NOT repeat--brings all the ideas together and tells us “so what?”--remember: the last words they read are the ones they’ll remember
Arrangement by PurposePatterns of DevelopmentNarration - telling a story/series of events
usually chronologicalDescription - Descriptive details, establishes mood/atmosphere
appeals to 5 senses to paint a vivid pictureProcess Analysis - Explains the process (how to do something, how something works, etc.)
sequential steps and clear transitions
Arrangement by PurposePatterns of DevelopmentExemplification - using a series of examples or one extended example to turn a general idea into a concrete one
induction - give examples to illustrate a pointComparison and Contrast - Juxtaposing two things to highlight similarities and differences
allows you to carefully analyze subtle similarities/differences in method, style, or purposeCan be subject-by-subject (first A then B) or point-by-point (Compare A and B on point 1, then A and B on point 2, etc.)
Arrangement by PurposePatterns of DevelopmentClassification and Division - breaking down a larger idea or concept into parts and categorizing them
categories can be ready-made
sometimes the reader must analyze/apply the categories created by the author
Definition - defining the terms an author will use in his/her argument
sometimes only a small part of a paper to clarify terms
sometimes the purpose of an entire essay
Arrangement by PurposePatterns of DevelopmentCause and Effect - analyzing the causes that lead to a particular effect, or the effects that resulf from a particular cause
forms the foundation for many arguments
depends on extremely clear logic - DO NOT jump to conclusions
StyleDiction = The words the writer chooses to use
Syntax = The way in which the writer arranges the parts of a sentence
Imagery = The visual created by the words
Figurative Language = All uses of language that imply an imaginative comparison
Rhetorical Analysis = How do the diction/syntax/imagery/figurative language influence meaning, purpose, and effect?
A Web of Rhetorical Analysis
ExigenceAudiencePurpose
Logos
Ethos Pathos
Organization/Whole Text Structure
Diction Syntax Imagery Figurative Language
Rhetorical Situation
Appeals
Arrangement
Style