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