Aristotle Rhetoric

Question 1

Aristotle thought it was important to study…

Answer 1

what the speaker was doing or saying.

Question 2

What are the basic principles of Aristotle’s rhetoric?

Answer 2

• To persuade
• One to many communication (one source of speech with many audience)
• Emphasis on known truths (non-debatable, already known to be true)

Question 3

What are his three speech situations?

Answer 3

1. Forensic (law)
   - Speaking about past events and question them
   - Arguing guilt or innocence to a jury and judge
2. Epideictic (ceremonial)
   - Praising or blaming another in the present
   - Events such as birthdays, funerals, weddings, Canada
3. Deliberative (political)
   - Focuses on what the audience with do in the future (e.g. vote)

Question 4

Explain Ethos.

Answer 4

Credibility of the speaker based on:

• Perceived intelligence
• Virtuous character (morals, handling antagonistic environment)
• Goodwill (best interest of listeners, comedic effect)

Question 5

Explain Pathos.

Answer 5

The feelings and emotions provoked by speech.

Question 6

What are paring emotions?

Answer 6

Using opposite nature of audience to provoke them (pathos)

• Friendliness agaisnst enmity (disarms audience’s dislike to speaker, points out common goals, experience or enemy)
• Indignation against pity (arouse a sense of injustice, aroused by idea of abused power over powerless)

Question 7

Explain logos.

Answer 7

Appeal to listener’s sens of reason and rationality.

Uses example and enthymeme

Question 8

What is an enthymeme?

Answer 8

• Making a point by making argument more specific
• Uses deductive reasoning
• An incomplete version of deductive syllogism

Question 9

Explain deductive syllogism

Answer 9

• Two statements proven to be true
• “therefore”
• Assumes audience understands excluded minor premise

Question 10

What are the FIVE Canons of Rhetoric?

Answer 10

1. Invention
   - How speaker constructs arguments, ethos, and what the audience knows
   - Building argument around audience
   - Topoi can be used to frame a point
2. Arrangement
3. Style
   - Clarity
   - Use of metaphors
4. Delivery
   - Speaks naturally
5. Memory
   - Ability to recall ideas or memories
   - Ability to think on feet in case of interventions

Question 11

What are the key critiques of Aristotle’s rhetoric?

Answer 11

• Leaves, many gaps, lack of precision in Aristotle’s terminology
• Assumes the audience is passive (b/c of focus on speaker)
• Pathos does not address speakers who use shock, charisma, dynamism