Rhetoric Notes Flashcards
What is the first meaning of rhetoric?
Any available means of persuasion;
Any situation sufficient enough to influence others to think and act differently
What is the second meaning of rhetoric?
The effectiveness of writing in achieving an agenda (aim);
This definition is used for writing and reading
What goes at the top of the rhetorical triangle, and what is the Aristotlelean appeal that matches it?
Speaker (initiative);
Ethos
Why does ethos go with speaker?
The speaker must be a reliable source with enough accreditation to speak on a particular subject
What does ethos mean?
Ethics, but it means credibility
What is an antimetabole?
Is the repetition of words in successive clauses, but in transposed order
What is the antimetabole to remember as a speaker hoping to build credibility (ethos)?
Write what you know (experience), know what you write (research)
What goes on the bottom right corner of the rhetorical triangle, and what Aristotlelean appeal accompanies it?
Audience;
Pathos
Why does pathos accompany audience?
Because emotions are an audience’s immediate impression;
When reading a work, pathos, which means emomtion, is the first appeal that we experience because we have a tendency as human beings to feel first and think later
What does pathos mean?
Emotion
What does logos mean?
Logic/Reason
What is the relationship between logos, pathos, and time?
Over time, our emotions (pathos) begin to make way for our logic (logos) to come through;
With time, our pathos decreases and our logos increases
What goes on the bottom right corner of the rhetorical triangle, and what Aristotlelean appeal accompanies it?
Subject;
Logos
Why does logos accompany subject?
Because when our emotions grants leeway for our logic to become more dominant, it is important for a piece’s work to be logical, so that an audience’s interest and understanding of the work may be maintained even after the stupor of emotion (pathos) has faded
What goes on the left arc between speaker and subject?
Context
What is context?
Background information
Why does context belong where it does?
Context belongs where it does because it provides meaning and clarity to the intended agenda;
It provides us a basis upon which we can determine whether or not the argument presented by the speaker, given the provided circumstances, is logical
Where is aim on the rhetorical triangle?
It’s what’s happening inside and on the circle;
It is the rhetorical triangle itself since everything contained within the rhetorical triangle is intended to achieve the aim
What AP term is antimetabole similar to?
Chiasmus
Diction establishes what?
Tone
Tone establishes what?
Mood
What are the first four rhetorical modes?
- Description
- Narration
- Division/Classification
- Causal analysis
What are the last four rhetorical modes?
- Comparison and Contrast
- Process Analysis
- Definition
- Argumentation/Persuasion
What do the first seven modes focus on?
Form and structure
What does the eighth rhetorical mode focus on?
Intent
What is the difference between argumentation and persuation?
Argumentation calls for logic and reason;
Persuasion calls for logic and emotion
What is the most basic of rhetorical modes?
Description
What is the most innate/natural of rhetorical modes?
Narration
What is a theme?
An overarching element of a narrative
Why is narration the most innate/natural of rhetorical modes?
Because we have the natural tendency to tell a story
What is narration?
A retelling of a sequence of events to teach a moral or lesson
How is description structured?
- Order of importance
- Spatial order;
This is considered directional; Choose a starting point and work from there
How do you choose how to structure description?
It varies with purpose
Should you show or tell when writing a descriptive paragraph?
Show because when you tell, you force your audience to be observers;
In showing, you allow your audience to experience the details you present
How does one show when writing a descriptive paragraph?
Through sensory details
What is the difference between sensory details and imagery?
Imagery is a figurative language;
Sensory details are a rhetorical technique
What is “dominant impression” when writing a descriptive paragraph?
A dominant impression is a quality, mood, or atmosphere that reinforces the writer’s purpose;
It creates a mood or atmosphere for the paper
When writing a descriptive paragraph about a person, what must on write about?
Physical appearance (focus on distincitve attributes);
Mannerism (again, focus on distinctive attributes)
How is narration structured?
In chronological order (as in, in the natural linear order of time);
Flashback (as in, looking at something in retrospect or telling a story that occurred in the past)
(Under narration) What is direct characterization? Provide an example.
Telling your audience a detail;
Ex: She is weird.
(Under narration) What is indirect characterization?
Showing/explaining a detail to your audience;
It is presented through the character’s actions and thoughts
(Under narration) What mnemonic must one remember when using indirect characterization?
A- Action
I- Interaction with other people
R- Reaction to other people
(Under narration) What is the difference between point of view and perspective?
Point of View is a stylistic aspect of a character;
Perspective refers to the character’s overall worldview (this is usually where attributes such as race, religion, etc are mentioned; it is the background of a character)
What happens when writing about division/classification?
The whole is broken down into its constituent types
What happens when writing about causal analysis?
It provides an audience possible causes, like necessary causes and contributory causes
What is causal analysis?
Causal analysis is a process for identifying and addressing the causes and effects of a challenge or problem. Instead of addressing the symptoms of a problem, causal analysis helps identify the root causes so those symptoms become less impactful.
What happens when writing a comparison and contrast?
A speaker presents a list of options and compares and contrasts the different facets of each element in the list;
It references/explains the similarities and differences between items in a list
What happens when writing about process analysis?
It presents a process;
It is designed to convey to the reader how a change takes place through a series of stages
How can one write a definition paper? (First two)
Using the dictionary definition (aka going lexical);
Using etymology (analyzing the origin of a word)
How can one write a definition paper? (Last two)
Contrast (telling the audience what the item is not);
Examples (most common/basic one)
What are the three domains (spaces) of writing?
The public domain;
The private domain;
And the liaison (wingman/translator) between the two
What type/level of English does the public domain use/is most familiar with?
Informal language;
Ex: texting, social media, and emails
What type/level of English does the private domain use/is most familiar with?
Formal language and technical language;
Ex of the latter: research and reports
What type/level of English does the liaison use?
Informal, formal, and technical;
Ex: newsapers, magazines, and journals
Why does the liaison use all three types/levels of English?
Because the liaison is responsible for translating what is produced from the private domain and making it more comprehensible for the average person, seeing that the private domain can use jargon that the everyday person would not be aware of
