Persuasion

Using Rhetorical Devices

Types of Speeches• Political speeches:–Focuses on an issue relating to government

or politics• Address:–A formal speech that is prepared for a special

occasion• Sermon:–A speech that is usually based on a scriptural

text and intended to provide religious instruction.

Persuasive Techniques

• Persuasion:–Speech or writing that tries to get the

audience to think or act a certain way.• Persuasive Techniques:–The methods that a speaker or a writer

uses to sway an audience.

Types of Persuasive Techniques

• Logical appeal (logos):–Builds a well-reasoned argument based

on evidence such as facts, statistics, or expert testimony.

• Ethical Appeal (ethos)–Arguments are based on morals and

values of a culture that ask the audience to do what is “right” according to what the culture deems correct–This appeal is linked to the audience’s

perception of the trustworthiness and moral character of the speaker or writer.

• Emotional Appeal (pathos)• Attempts to arouse the audience’s

feelings, often by using loaded words that convey strong connotations

• The argument strives to appeal to the audience’s sense of fear, pity, needs, desires and sympathies.

How Persuasive Techniques are used:

• Rhetorical Devices:–Patterns of words and ideas that create

emphasis and stir the audience’s emotions.

Types of Rhetorical Devices

• Repetition:–Restating an idea using the same

words• Example: “The war is inevitable—

and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!” ~Patrick Henry

• Restatement:–Expressing the same idea using

different words.• Example: “…we cannot dedicate—we

cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.” ~Abraham Lincoln

• Parallelism:–Repeating a grammatical

structure•Example: “With malice toward none; with charity for all…” ~Abraham Lincoln

• Antithesis:–Using strongly contrasting words,

images, or ideas• Example: “…ask not what your

country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” ~John F. Kennedy

• Rhetorical Questions:–Asking questions for effect, not to

get answers• Example: “From such an assembly

can a perfect production be expected?” ~Benjamin Franklin

Identify persuasive techniques by:• Ask yourself if the speaker or writer relies

primarily on logical, emotional, ethical appeals or a combination of these appeals.– If logic, is it based on sound evidence?– If emotional, is it manipulative as well as

stirring?– If ethical, examine the speaker’s authority to

comment and the value he/she states or implies.

Identify Rhetorical Devices by:

• Look for the use of the specific words or phrases as given (repetition, restatement, parallelism, antithesis, or rhetorical questions)• Then, notice how these devices

affect the sound and meaning of the speech or writing