Everything is an Argument, Lecture notes of Rhetoric

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INTRO TO RHETORIC

Grab an Everything’s an Argument book off the shelf by the flags.

Everything is an Argument

You are bombarded with them all the time! The average American sees over 3000 advertisements per day! In addition to advertising, we see argument in emails, texts, conversations in the hallway, television shows, movies, social media… It’s everywhere!

Being able to analyze someone else’s

argument also helps you to create your

own persuasive argument, which is a

very handy skill!

Argument is Everywhere!

Rhetoric and Rhetorical Analysis

 Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Western rhetoric originated in ancient Greece as a discipline to prepare citizens to argue in court.

 Rhetorical analysis is an examination of how well the components of an argument work together to persuade or move an audience.

 Rhetorical (adj): hypothetical  Why do we use rhetorical questions?

Rogerian argument: approaches audiences in nonthreatening ways. See p. 7

 Why is this Rogerian?  How does this appeal to audiences?  Who is the audience?

Purposes of argument

Arguments to convince seek to inspire a conviction within the audience.

Purposes of argument

Purposes of argument

To inform (expository) p. 10

 To explore

p. 11

Purposes of argument

Purposes of argument

To meditate or pray

Occasions for Argument

 Arguments about the past : (forensic arguments) common in business, government, and academia. They rely on evidence/testimony to recreate what is known about past events and offer an analysis of cause and effect.  Arguments about the future : (deliberative arguments) often establish policies for the future, but can be speculative in nature, advanced through reasonable guesses and projections.  Arguments about the present : (ceremonial arguments) usually address contemporary values or widely held beliefs and assumptions that are often debated (inaugural addresses, sermons, eulogies, graduation speeches, etc).

Kinds of Argument

Arguments of Fact  Involves a statement that can be proved or disproved with specific evidence.  To settle the matter, writers and readers need to ask questions about the “facts.”  Where did the facts come from?  Are they reliable?  Is there a problem with the facts?  Where did the problem begin and what caused it?

Kinds of Arguments

Arguments of Definition  Is playing video games a sport?  This argument depends on what one considers a “sport,” and whether or not the definition of sport is universal or fluid.  Is same-sex marriage unconstitutional?  What are we trying to define here?

Rhetorical Strategies: Pathos

 Pathos: An appeal to emotions or feelings including fear, humor, romance, compassion, pity, etc… (Think SPCA / “Save the Children” videos)

p. 38-

Rhetorical Strategies: Ethos

 Ethos: An appeal based on the character of the speaker. This appeal is based on whether or not the audience perceives the speaker as someone who is morally competent, trustworthy, and knowledgeable on the subject about which s/he is speaking. (Think celebrity endorsers, doctor testimonials, etc.)

p. 49-