Rhetorical Situation
What is rhetoric?
The strategic decisions a writer makes to appeal to the audience
What is Logos?
The use of logic or reasoning to support the writer's argument.
What is pathos?
The author's use of language that draws out feelings such as pity or anger in an audience.
What is ethos?
The following image is an example of which rhetorical appeal?
Pathos
What are the 3 components of the rhetorical situation?
Context, Occasion, Purpose
Define the 2 types of reasoning.
Inductive: specific representative evidence or the case which is drawn towards a conclusion or generalization. However, inductive reasoning requires reliable and convincing evidence that is presented to support the point.
Deductive: generalization at the initial stage and then moves on towards the specific case. The starting generalization must be based on reliable evidence to support it at the end.
What feeling is evoked in the audience?
"Where would we be without this tradition? Ever since our forefathers landed at Plymouth Rock, we've celebrated Thanksgiving without fail, making more than cherished recipes. We've made memories."
Feelings of pride, tradition, unity
Is the following an example of ethos? Why or why not?
"Better men than us have fought and died to preserve this great nation. Now is our turn to return the favor. For God and country, gentlemen!"
It is NOT an example of Ethos. This is appealing to the reader's emotions. It is meant to encourage them and get them amped up for war/combat.
Which 2 rhetorical appeals are present in this advertisement?
Logos (48 seconds) and Pathos (handicap parking)
Name the 3 parts of the rhetorical triangle and their accompanying use of rhetoric.
Logos = Message
Pathos = Audience
Ethos = Speaker
Which type of reasoning is this: inductive or deductive reasoning?
The chair in the living room is red. The chair in the dining room is red. The chair in the bedroom is red. All the chairs in the house are red.
Is this an example of Pathos? Why or why not?
My three decades of experience in public service, my tireless commitment to the people of this community, and my willingness to reach across the aisle and cooperate with the opposition, make me the ideal candidate. I've taught Sunday School at your church for years, babysat your children, and served as a playground director for many summers - so you know I can run your elementary school."
This is NOT an example of pathos. It is an example of ETHOS. The speaker is pointing to their accomplishments, qualifications and character.
HOW is this an example of Ethos?
In this outward and physical ceremony we attest once again to the inner and spiritual strength of our Nation. As my high school teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, used to say: “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” Here before me is the Bible used in the inauguration of our first President, in 1789, and I have just taken the oath of office on the Bible my mother gave me a few years ago, opened to a timeless admonition from the ancient prophet Micah…—Jimmy Carter, 1977
"As my high school teacher, Miss Julia Coleman" = quotes another person in respected profession "Taken the oath of office on the Bible my mother gave me...timeless admonition from the ancient prophet Micah" = Religion, Family, Prophet Micah
What appeal is being used and what is the message?
Ethos. That police officers are multifaceted/human.
Read the caption below: Then state the rhetorical situation (context, occasion, purpose).
The following op-ed piece was written by a white college student following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In the essay to the "New York Tribune" he discusses the impact Dr. King's death has had on his progressive family. He also argues for the need for more white allies who would support the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Context = Civil Rights Movement, Segregation, Racism, Many Protests
Occasion = Assassination of MLK Jr.,
Purpose = To get white people to support the Civil Right Movement and the passage of the Civil Rights Act
Read the first couple of sentences from "Barbie is Past Saving" by Alexandra Petri.
"How do you fix a problem like Barbie?
She has been under fire for some time for being, in essence, a portable and inexpensive reminder of society's unrealistic beauty standards that we give little girls to carry around with them at all times. Which is nice, if that is what you are going for, but a bit disappointing if you are just trying to find a toy."
This is an example of DEDUCTIVE reasoning.
They begin with a general statement made about Barbies "portable and inexpensive reminder of society's unrealistic expectations" and the question that they will attempt to address.
They do not describe all the ways that Barbies are unrealistic expectations.
Why is this passage Pathos?
When the student told her he was out of food at home and needed more, Brooke was taken back.
She asked him what was in the bag that he liked so much. Was it the macaroni bowls? The crackers? She asked if it was spaghetti Os he liked.
"He laughed and told me no, that they didn’t have those," she wrote.
"Then it happened. He looked at me and said 'those little Os (as he made a small circle with his hand).
'We don’t have those at my house, but when I do have them they give me a warm belly and help me sleep'
"I lost it, I cried in front of 20 little people. No kid should ever be hungry, ever."
Audience is meant to feel sad.
It is a specific story of a teacher and child
Cried in front of the children. Children are typically seen as innocent "little people"
Uses quotes from the teacher and child
Turn the following example of Logos into Ethos.
"You won't find any deer along this road. In 25 years of driving the same route, I haven't seen a single one."
As a truck driver of 25 years and a avid hunter, I haven't seen a deer along this road. I have also spoken to my neighbors who are forest rangers and they have informed me that deer were displaced from this area in the 1970s when the town's logging and mining industry began to boom.
What is the purpose of this advertisement? How do the creators develop this message?
Using Logos and Pathos. To get the audience to understand the implications of child abuse. The audience is looking at his face bloody and beaten. The boy's face is serious and the stat is said as if it's a statement coming from the boy.
What information can we make about the speaker and the potential audience of based on this caption?
The following piece was written by a white college student following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. In the essay to the "New York Tribune" he discusses the impact Dr. King's death has had on his progressive family. He also argues for the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Speaker = White, College Educated, Progressive (not common, but getting more popular), he was a supporter of MLK, he believes in equality/doesn't believe in discrimination based on race
Audience = People who supported MLK, "Progressives", Primarily White people, Politicians, College Students, Readers of the "New York Tribune"
If you are arguing against the closure of Riker's island, which piece of Logos should you choose and why?
A. Of federal offenders released in 2005, by 2013 nearly 1/2 were rearrested, 1/3 were reconvicted
B. The United States has the highest rate of people in prison for low level crimes
C. If you close Rikers then we will be putting our innocent children at risk of rape, murder and kidnapping.
A. Of federal offenders released in 2005, by 2013 nearly 1/2 were rearrested, 1/3 were reconvicted
B supports the need to close some prisons because the crime does not fit the sentence.
C. Is an example of Pathos
Turn the following example of Logos into Pathos.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut."
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have heart wrenching evidence of the suspect breaking into the home. Disrupting the much needed rest of the family of 5 who had just lost their father. The break in that caused more fear and confusion for the family. Damage and fear still lingers in their mind.
How does the following quote demonstrate Ethos?
“I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.”
"integrity"
"Ladies & Gentleman of the jury"
"God and your duty"
Why is this a powerful Advertisement? How does it effectively use all the components?
Use of Logos, Pathos and Ethos.