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