Rhetoric Definitions
The rhetorical appeal that appeals to one's emotions.
What is Pathos?
The belief that because a lot of people do or believe in it, it must be correct.
What is Bandwagon?
Dove soap is now going plastic-free, meaning less pollution in our landfills yet still gentle on your skin.
What is Ethos?
Hi, I'm Taylor Swift and I'm here to talk to you about Grammarly. When I'm busy writing emails to my producers, I don't have time to spell check everything. Grammarly makes it easy.
What is Appeal to Authority?
You want McDonald's for dinner? But what about all the delicious and nutritious foods we have at home? Let's go home and see if we can find something yummier to eat.
The rhetorical appeal that appeals to one's ethics.
What is Ethos?
A claim based on a few examples rather than substantial proof. A claim using this fallacy might be true in one case, but that doesn't mean it's always true.
What is Hasty Generalization?
“I’m not just dedicated to serving the community. I love every business, every person, every neighbor, every building. I truly love my community.”
What is Pathos?
If Spongebob doesn't get his driver's license, he'll work at the Krusty Krab forever and then he won't find a better job to make more money so he can move to a bigger house and if he doesn't move to a bigger house he'll have to live next to Squidward forever and that will make Squidward go crazy then Squidward will have to go to an insane asylum and then the show will be over.
What is Slippery Slope?
This poor, sad puppy needs a home for the holidays. Spare some change or adopt this cutie now before it's too late. We want all our pets to have a happy and healthy home.
What is Pathos?
The rhetorical appeal that appeals to one's sense of logic.
What is Logos?
Attacking an exaggerated or distorted version of your opponent's position.
What is Strawman?
CVS takes your child's safety seriously. After installing 3 new cameras and a confidential reporting system, a survey of 302 students at CVS found that 93% of them feel very safe at school.
What is Logos?
Eminem, Sonic, Ms. Abigail, and Oprah all use Bath and Bodyworks brand lotion! It must be the best lotion ever!
What is Bandwagon?
Ms. Abigail checked her email then threw 18 chairs across the room. That email must have made Ms. Abigail throw those chairs.
What is Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc?
This appeal is designed to target the audience's sense of reason.
What is Logos?
A logical fallacy in which irrelevant information is presented alongside relevant information, distracting the audience's attention from the relevant information.
What is Red Herring?
The new ZoomZoom car runs on solar power, charges itself in your driveway, and has all vegan leather interior.
What is Ethos?
If the sky is blue and there are no clouds around, it cannot be raining right now.
What is Valid Argument?
If Ms. Abigail finds a 4-leaf clover she'll have good luck. If she has good luck then she'll win the lottery. If Ms. Abigail wins the lottery she'll buy a cottage in the middle of the woods and grow tulips. If Ms. Abigail grows tulips, then she will single-handedly save the bee population and be awarded a Nobel Peace Price.
What is Slippery Slope?
This appeal focuses on the speaker's status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them.
Because an event occurred first, it must have caused the second event.
What is Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc?
There's nothing I hate more than people who abuse animals. It says a lot about a person who starves and beats a defenseless, innocent animal. I think people who abuse animals are the worst kind of societal scum.
What is Pathos?
Oh, you don't like the dress code at CVS? Well would you rather the kids come to school naked? Your critiques of our dress code shows me that you know nothing about how schools operate or what's best for children.
What is Strawman?
JimmyBob, Pat, and Poot all ate eggs for breakfast before the EOGs and they all scored 100%! If I eat eggs for breakfast before my EOGs, I'll get 100% too!
What is Hasty Generalization?