Ethos/Pathos/Logos
The art and study of using language effectively and persuasively in writing, speaking, or visual communication.
What is Rhetoric?
A speaker tells a brief story about getting lost in a national park to support a point about preparation.
What is an anecdote?
During a debate about renewable energy policy, a candidate responds, "Why should we listen to her proposal? She failed a college chemistry course twenty years ago."
What is Ad Hominem?
During a budget meeting, a speaker avoids discussing costs and effectiveness, instead arguing, "If you vote against this proposal, think about how heartbroken the children will be."
What is an appeal to emotion?
A student argues for later school start times. Which addition would strengthen the argument most: a personal attack on opponents, a sleep study from medical researchers, or a prediction that schools will collapse without change?
A sleep study from medical researchers.
A Greek term that broadly translates to "word," "reason," or "plan".
What is Logos?
A debater directly addresses and challenges an opponent's argument with evidence.
What is a rebuttal?
A mayor states, "Either we approve this expensive surveillance program, or we simply stop caring about public safety."
What is a false dilemma?
A teacher allows students to use notes on one quiz. A parent argues, "Next they'll use notes on every test, then grades won't matter, and eventually no one will learn anything."
What is a slippery slope?
You must identify whether an argument contains a rhetorical appeal, a logical fallacy, a counterclaim, or a rebuttal.
Example: "My opponent argues that school uniforms improve discipline. However, multiple studies found no significant effect." What rhetorical technique is being used?
What is a rebuttal?
A celebrity with no medical training endorses a new health supplement. The argument relies primarily on this rhetorical appeal.
What is Ethos?
A speaker chooses the word "thrifty" instead of "cheap" because it creates a more positive impression.
What is diction?
A student argues that schools should limit homework on weekends. Another replies, "My opponent thinks students shouldn't have to do any work at all and should spend all their time playing video games."
What is a straw man?
An advertisement claims, "Over 20 million people have downloaded this app, so it must be the best option available."
What is the bandwagon fallacy?
A student argues that schools should start later because teenagers are often tired. What kind of evidence (be specific) would strengthen the argument most?
A peer-reviewed study showing that later start times improve attendance, grades, and sleep.
A university president argues for a policy change by citing enrollment data and her twenty years in higher education.
What are ethos and logos?
This rhetorical technique depends on the audience recognizing a reference to another text, event, person, or work.
What is an allusion?
After meeting two rude tourists from another country, a traveler concludes that people from that country are generally unfriendly.
What is a hasty generalization?
A student argues that school lunches should be improved. Another student responds, "My opponent apparently wants the school to spend all its money on food and ignore academics." Which fallacy did the second student commit?
What is a straw man?
An argument contains strong statistics but the source is an anonymous blog with no author listed. What single addition would most strengthen the argument?
A credible, verifiable source.
"As a teacher for twenty years, I have watched students struggle when school starts too early. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that later start times improve academic performance, and every student deserves the chance to succeed."
Identify all rhetorical appeals used and provide evidence for each.
Answer:
This rhetorical strategy demonstrates that a writer has considered multiple perspectives on an issue.
What is a counterclaim?
A basketball team starts wearing matching wristbands and wins six games in a row. The coach concludes that the wristbands caused the winning streak.
What is post hoc (post hoc ergo propter hoc)?
A politician says, "My opponent can't be trusted on economic issues because he was suspended in high school." Why is this argument flawed?
It attacks the person rather than the argument (ad hominem).
A student argues that homework should be reduced because it causes stress. What is the biggest weakness in the argument?
It lacks evidence connecting homework levels to student stress and outcomes.