Rhetoric Exam 1 Study Guide

What is Rhetoric?

Broadly, Rhetoric is the Art of Persuasion (message can be tailored to specific audience)

Rhetoric is transmitted through a system of signs, including language 

Rhetoric is the systematic study and intentional practice of symbolic expression. 

What are symbols?

A symbol is something that represents something else. For example a Louis Vuton bag is a symbol for wealth or a peace sign can mean the number two, fight on, or peace.

What are the resources of symbols? - apply 

The resources of symbols are all forms of non-verbal communication. For example, gestures, posture, facial expression, tone, body language, etc…

This means that people will believe what they see over what they hear. 

Who were the sophists + why controversial?

The sophists were a group of traveling teachers who came to Greece to make money by teaching Greek men how to speak and debate. 

They were controversial because they taught how to argue to WIN any debate without any knowledge of the subject.

What did Plato mean that "Rhetoric was a knack"?

Plato criticized rhetoric and the sophists because he claimed that rhetoric is a sharm art that can be used to easily manipulate and deceive people - this prioritizes persuasion over the truth

What did Aristotle believe about Rhetoric?

Aristotle believed that Rhetoric can be used to learn persuasive language while maintaining the truth in the argument. He viewed rhetoric as a kind of weapon that can be used for good or bad

Understand & apply Aristotle's proofs 

Ethos - credibility based on character 

Logos - logic/reason

Pathos - emotional appeal 

Kairos - relevance/ time and place 

What are the cannons of Rhetoric?

Invention - determining the key messages and points of argument 

Arrangement - the structure of the speech or text 

Style - how it is written or spoken 

Memory - how it is memorized 

Delivery - how it is delivered