The Power of Persuasion

The Power of PersuasionRhetorical Appeals and How Writers Use Them

1Definition:

Rhetoric2Definition:the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Rhetoric3Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Rhetoric4Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:

Rhetoric5Definition:Putdefinition in your own words: the art and study of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:

The politicians rhetoric was so effective that his audienceagreed to only tax the poor.

Rhetoric6Definition:Put definition in your own words: the art of usinglanguage effectively and persuasively

Example Sentence:Your Sentence:

The politicians rhetoric was so effective that his audience agreed to only tax the poor.

Rhetoric7Rhetorical AppealsQuick-Write:Think of time where you used rhetoric, or your words, to convince someone of something or to do something. - What exactly did you say?- Why was it effective? 8Rhetorical AppealsOk, so people can use their words, their rhetoric, to convince others.

But there is a little more to it than that . . . 9Definition:to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Appeal10Definition:Put definition in your own words: to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Appeal11Definition:Put definition in your own words:to try to make someone do or accept something as right by making statements that are directed to a specific person/persons

Example:Your Example:

I really wanted to goto the concert, so appealedto my parents by telling them I would do dishes for the next two months.

Appeal12Rhetorical AppealsWhen trying to persuade an audience, a writer can try to convince, or appeal, to their readers in 3 very different ways:EthosPathosLogos13Rhetorical AppealsEthos = Trust

14Rhetorical AppealsEthos:targets, or appeals to peoples trust when trying to persuade them.

People need to be able to trust the speaker or writer in order to be persuaded.

15Rhetorical AppealsEthos:This means the speaker should be: an expert in what he/she is talking aboutshould be trustworthy This makes the speaker/writer believable to the audience.

16Bill Gatesis an expert in computers, so he could use ethos to persuade people on this topic

17Michael Jordan

is an expert in basketball, so he could use ethos as a way to persuade players to improve their game. 18Snooki

is an expert in tanning, so she could use ethos as a way to persuade people that tanning is good. 19

Ms. Philson is NOT an expert in skydiving, so she should not try to use ethos to persuade someone of ANYTHING related to skydiving.Skydiving? Oh yes, you should do this, and this, and this . . .Im pretty sure shes never gone skydiving before . . .20

Who do you think could use ethos more effectively to be hired to build your house?

A person who has owned their own construction company for the past 20 years.

A person who has been working for this construction company for one year21

Who do you think could use ethos more effectively to convince people NOT to use drugs?

A person who knows what drugs do the body only because they have studied people who use drugs.

A person who, in the past, has been a drug addict and can tell people first hand, the negative side effects of drugs.22Rhetorical AppealsPathos = Emotions

23The writer can appeal to the readers1. Trustthe reader can be persuaded if he or she thinks the writer or speaker can be believed.

2. Emotionsthe reader can be persuaded if the writer gets him/her sad, mad, or happy enough to do something about it.

24The writer can appeal to the readers1. Trustthe reader can be persuaded if he or she thinks the writer or speaker can be believed.

2. Emotionsthe reader can be persuaded if the writer gets him/her sad, mad, or happy enough to do something about it.

3. Logicthe reader might be convinced if the writer makes sense mathematically and logically.25The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.26The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

27The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

1. Ethos = Trust

28The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

Ethos = TrustPathos = Emotion

29The 3 Rhetorical Appeals are old and have Greek names.They are

Ethos = TrustPathos = Emotion Logos = Sense or Logic

30EthosThe Ethos-appeal asks, Do you trust me?31An Ethos-based appeal only works when you trust the speaker

32 A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by33 >relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by34A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by

>relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

>trying to appear trustworthy and/or knowledgeable35A writer uses an Ethos-based appeal when he or shegains TRUST by

>relying on his/her reputation as a writer or speaker

>trying to appear trustworthy and/or knowledgeable

>associating herself with someone the audience knows and respects.

36Pathos: the emotional appeal

37Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery

38Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery.

>Use angry or excited language.

39Pathos: Stir up their EMOTIONS!

>show or use emotionally charged imagery.

>Use angry or excited language.

>Imply a sense of urgency so that the audience thinks it must act NOW!

40Logos: the appeal to reason, or your audiences intelligence

41Logos

42Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.43Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.

Relying on their audiences sense of logic and consequences.44Writers use a logos-based appeal byStating the facts, figures, and details that prove their position or thesis.

Relying on their readers sense of logic and understanding of consequences

Showing that the opposite position does not make sense.45