Thank You For Arguing Flashcards
Rhetoric
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing
Chiasmus
a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form
Concession
admit that your opponent’s point is true in order to win what you want
Humblebrag
self-deprecating statement/humor whose actual purpose is to brag
The three core issues
blame (past), values (present), choices (future)
Present-tense rhetoric
demonstrative: tends to finish with people bonding or separating
Past-tense rhetoric
forensic: deals with the issues of justice, threatens punishment
Future-tense rhetoric
deliberative: argues about choices and helps decide how to meet mutual goals
Logos
argument by logic
Ethos
argument by character
Pathos
argument by emotion
Concession
a logos tactic, using the opponent’s argument to your advantage
Sympathy
a pathos tactic, registering concern for your audience’s emotions and then changing the mood to suit your argument
Decorum
an ethos tactic, your audiences find you agreeable if you meet their expectations
The perfect audience
receptive, attentive, and well disposed towards you.
The three traits of persuasive leadership
virtue (cause), practical wisdom (craft), and disinterest (caring)
Character reference
when others do the bragging for you
Tactical flaw
reveal a weakness that shows sympathy or shows sacrifice for the cause
Opinion switch
when an argument is doomed to go against you, heartily support the other side
Eddie Haskell ploy
make an inevitable decision against you look like a willing sacrifice on your part
Virtue
the audience believes you share their values
Values
don’t represent “righteousness” or “truth”; they are what people value (honor, faith, money, toys, etc.)
How to pump up your rhetorical virtue
- brag
- get a witness to brag for you
- reveal a tactical flaw
- switch sides when the powers that be do
Practical wisdom, or craft
the audience thinks you know your craft and can solve the problem at hand
How to enhance your practical wisdom
show off your experience, bend the rules, appear to take the middle course
The reluctant conclusion
act as if you reached your conclusion only because of its overwhelming rightness
The personal sacrifice
claim that the choice will help your audience more than it will help you
Dubitatio
slow doubt in your rhetorical skill
Authenticity
make your audience think your for real, just being your genuine self
Belief
pathos tool; to stir an emotion, use what your audience has experienced and what it expects to happen
Storytelling
pathos tool; the best way to change an audience’s mood and make it directly involve you or your audience through past experiences and first person
Emotional volume control
pathos tool; don’t visibly exaggerate your emotions
Simple speech
pathos tool; don’t use fancy language when you get emotional
