Mrs. Agee
AP English Language & Composition

 To inquire
 To assert*
 To dominate*
 To negotiate
For this class, you will argue to assert and dominate.

3 Contexts to Consider When
Arguing
 Historical Context
 Cultural Context
 Rhetorical Context

 Historical context is the moment at which an argument is being made
 “kairos”—the opportune moment for making a speech
– EX: High gas prices over the summer provided an opportune time to address alternative fuel sources
– Anniversary of MLK Jr.’s speech was perfect moment for Obama to accept the democratic presidential nomination
– -Acquittal of George Zimmerman prompted discussions on gun control, “stop and frisk” program, and racial profiling

 What influences you and society?
 Religious background
 Social class
 Gender
 Sexual orientation
 Nationality
 Racial/ethnic diversity
 Region
 Age

 What is said
 Who is saying it
 Who is listening
 Where / when it is being said
 Why it is being said
 How it is being said

 Shows the relationship between speaker, audience, message, style, purpose, tone
 Understanding these rhetorical elements makes both writing and analysis much clearer

Message
Tone Style
Speaker Purpose Audience

 Gender / racial / geographical orientation of author
 Author Bias / hidden agenda
 Other important biographical information may affect text

 Are they friend or foe? (hostile or sympathetic)
 How will they receive the message?
 How will they affect tone / style?
 Who is the intentional audience?
 Who is the unintentional audience?

 Under what circumstances is the author addressing his/her audience?
 In other words, what is going on in the world at the time this text was composed, and how do those events affect the text?
 What does the writer/speaker want to happen as a result?

 What is the main point being made?
In other words, what is the writer’s / speaker’s thesis?
 Look at the message as an argument / position being sold to the audience. What is the author trying to convince the audience of?

 What is the author’s attitude about his / her subject / message?
 What words in the message let you know the tone?
 How does the selection of the tone affect the audience’s reception of the message?

 What strategies does the author employ in order to get his / her message across?
 These strategies may include: ethos, logos, pathos; organization; diction; syntax; figurative language; grammatical structure; selection of details; imagery

 Remember – it is not one of these elements of the rhetorical triangle that can be used to analyze a text; it is the relationships between these rhetorical elements that composes the meaning we get from a text!
 True analysis is not only the what, but also the who, the why and the how!

 Narration
 Description
 Comparison/Contrast
 Classification & Division
 Definition
 Process
 Cause/Effect
 Persuasion

1. Determine premises & conclusion
 determine what you are trying to prove and what your conclusion is
 the statements that give your reasons are called premises
 the conclusion is the statement for which you are giving reasons

2. Present your ideas in a natural order
 2 common ways to organize:
1.
State your conclusion first, followed by your premises
2.
Set out your premises and draw the conclusion at the end
In any case, present your ideas in an order that unfolds your argument most naturally for the audience.

 Your reasons should be taken from well-known examples from informed authorities who are in agreement
 If unsure of a premise, you will need to research to provide backing.
 If you cannot argue adequately for your premise, you need to find another reason!

 Avoid abstract, vague, and general terms
 Be concise. Airy elaboration loses everyone is a fog of words.

 Do not make your argument look good by mocking or distorting the other side.
 Always figure out the opposition’s reasons first so that you understand how to effectively argue against it.
 Avoid emotionally-charged words —do not let the overtones of the words do the work as they do not present actual reasons for your argument

 A personal attack only proves that you have no logical argument to make.
 Personal attack = loss of argument