Unit 1: Rhetorical AnalysisWHAT IS IT WHY IS IT HOW IS IT

What is it? Rhetorical analysis is the study of how and why something is persuasive.

The Building Blocks of RhetoricAccording to Aristotle, solid rhetoric is based on three conceptual principles:-Ethos-Pathos -Logos

EthosSomething possesses ethos if it has credibility.Example: A car is built by a company with strong track record.- A politician has a history of supporting successful legislature.

Pathos Something possesses pathos if it appeals to the audiences emotions. Example: That guy is driving the Grand Canyon in a mini-van with his entire family, and I want to drive my perfect little family to the Grand Canyon in a mini-van, so I want to buy that car. - That politician grew up in the inner city just like I did, therefore he must know what is right for us.

Logos Something that possesses logos is the logical choice. Example: Jerry has had a Toyota corolla for the past ten years and is hasn’t broken down, so it must be a good car.

- John Doe has been successful as a governor, senator, and a US general so he must be a good presidential candidate.

Practice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Ab2VT-g6s

Thank you sir, may I have another…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw08j-yOfcE

Your Task Surf the web for a commercial that fulfills each of the three rhetorical principles.

- On a separate sheet of paper, briefly explain (in 2-3 sentences) how the ad you chose, uses all three of the rhetorical devices we discussed in class – ethos pathos logos.

Exit ticket Define the following rhetorical devices: Ethos – Pathos – Logos -

What are they? Rhetorical device – a technique a writer or speaker uses to emphasize a meaning for an audience.

Examples Antithesis - a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites

Ex. They may have taken our blood, but they will never take our freedom.

CTD Alliteration – The repetition of consonant sounds to draw attention to a specific idea.

Ex. A perfect perfect part of a perfect breakfast.

CTD Anaphora - the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Ex. "The Republicans believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of trail."

*Not to be confused with grammatical device

GW http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbush911addresstothenation.htm

Rhetorical Question - Asking a question in which the answer is general knowledge or implied.

- Who wouldn’t want a great car at a low price?

Hyperbole - Making an exaggeration to prove a point.

Ex. I am the luckiest man in the world.