Rhetoric Test

rhetoric

Aristotle

• his work on the subject of rhetoric is the foundation of any study of rhetoric

• believed that by observing how communication happens, we can understand how to develop sound and convincing arguements

3 rhetorical appeals

• logos

• ethos

• pathos

logos

appeals to audience’s logical reasoning and rantional thinking

ethos

• appeals to audience’s sense of right and wrong

• based on sound morality

• treats the opposing side fairly

• speaker/writer is trustworthy and reliable

• any testimonials/representatives are also trustworthy

• no offensive language/visuals

the strongest arguements….

will use all three appeals

too much logos…

boring and confusing to some

to much ethos…

to preachy and self righteous

to much pathos…

overly sentimental, will fizzle because the argument is clearly weak

a close analysis of audience….

help determine how to best use each appeal

fallacy

deceptive, false, or misleading idea which creates a misleading or unsound argument

in order for an argument to succeed..

• no weak spots for opponent

• fallaces → weak argument → easily defeatable

logical fallacies (LF)

a hasty generalization draws conclusions from scanty evidence

post hoc ergo proper hoc or faulty causality (LF)

confuses chronology with causation

non sequitur (LF)

“does not follow” statement that does no relate logically to what comes before it