Rhetoric Devices

Question 1

What is Rhetoric?

Answer 1

The art of persuasion
Created by Greek philosopher, Aristotle
There are 3 rhetorical appeals
- Ethos
- Logos
- Pathos

Question 2

Ethos

Answer 2

Ethics, or morals
The author’s or creator’s credibility, believability, and/or likability
Can come from inside the text (intrinsic) or outside the text ((extrinsic)

Question 3

Pathos

Answer 3

Feelings, or emotions
Stories, scenarios, or statements designed to create an emotional response
When persuaded by this, you accept how it makes you FEEL, without fully analyzing how valid the claim is
Can be EXTREMELY manipulative

Question 4

Logos

Answer 4

Logic, or reason
Refers to any attempt to appeal to intellect
We find certain patterns, conventions, and methods of reasoning to be convincing and persuasive
Numbers, polls, facts, and statistics are often used

Question 5

Rhetorical Triangle

Answer 5

Effective persuasion uses ALL THREE devices
(ethos, logos, pathos)

Question 6

Irony

Answer 6

Three types of irony (situational, verbal, dramatic)

Question 7

Situational Irony

Answer 7

One thing is expected but another thing that was NOT expected happens instead
EX. A veterinarian that is allergic to dogs

Question 8

Dramatic Irony

Answer 8

When the audience knows more about the events, conversations, etc. than the characters
The audience is in on a secret that the characters are not told
Creates dramatic tension, and suspense
EX. At the beginning of Romeo and Juliet a poem gives away the ending of the book.

Question 9

Verbal Irony

Answer 9

When the speaker says the opposite of what they mean
EX. “Great weather we’re having” during a hurricane