Introduction to Rhetoric

1. Introduction to Rhetoric English 10A Mrs. Lorntson

2. What is Rhetoric? • “The art of speaking or writing effectively” • Or, getting what we want by using language

3. Other Arts Besides Rhetoric • Flirting: getting what we want by using eye contact, body language, etc. • Politics: getting what we want on a national level (much of politics is rhetoric) • Diplomacy: getting what on an international level (also uses much rhetoric) • War: getting what we want on an international level through the use of force • Civil Disobedience: getting what we want through nonviolent protest

4. Two Parts of Rhetoric • Rhetorical Strategies: what we use in an argument and how we organize • Argument/evidence • Order • Diction • Tone • Stylistic Devices: added touches that improve the presentation • Figurative language • Allusion • Sentence structures

5. Sometimes, Rhetorical Strategy and Stylistic Devices are lumped into one term… Rhetorical Devices.

6. Anyone play poker? Rhetorical Strategy = How you play Hold, fold, bet, check, etc. Stylistic Devices = Extra Body language, table talk, sunglasses, etc.

7. English 9 vs. English 10 • English 9: What’s going on? • English 10: Rhetorical analysis • What is the point of the piece? • What is the author’s purpose? • What rhetorical strategies are used? • Is the work effective?

8. Story Time! The Three Little Pigs

9. Other Elements of Rhetoric • The Three Main Players • Writer • Reader • Subject • What does the author focus on? • Writer = Expressive writing • Reader = Persuasive writing • Subject = Expository writing

10. Other Elements of Rhetoric, Cont. • Modes of Development: How the writer presents information • Description: uses vivid imagery, paints a picture • Narration: tells a story • Classification: divides an idea into sub-categories • Evaluation: analysis with support

11. The End Any Questions?