Announcements
• Midterm will be on Monday. It will
cover all material discussed in class
from day 1 through the end of the
week.
• Be sure to review quiz #1 & #2.
– Review in groups.
– See me in office hours with
questions.
This Week
Goals:
1. Distinguish between
rhetoric and argument.
2. Be able to identify common
forms of rhetoric.
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Common Forms of Rhetoric
(Aka “Slanter”)
• Euphemism
• Dysphemism
• Rhetorical analogy
(comparison),
rhetorical definition,
rhetorical explanation
• Innuendo
• Loaded question
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•
•
•
•
•
Hyperbole
Stereotype
Weaseler
Downplayer
Proof
surrogate
• Sarcasm
Name That Rhetorical
Device!
“It’s not impossible for him to have committed
adultery.”
– Weaseler
“Obviously, we should have never invaded
Canada.”
– Proof Surrogate
“I don’t know what my opponents will base
their speech on, but I’m basing mine on love
for my country.”
– Innuendo
Name That Rhetorical
Device!
“Smokers unite! The reason the antismoking
crowd doesn’t want you to smoke can be
summed up in a single word: dictatorship.”
– Rhetorical Explanation
“We can generate more funds for schools
through revenue enhancements from the sale of
beer and cigarettes.”
– Euphemism
“Nice out fit! Part of Macy’s Lady Deterrent
Line?
– Sarcasm, Dysphemism
Name That Rhetorical
Device!
Perhaps the “religious leaders” who testified at
the state board of education’s public hearing on
textbooks think they speak for all Christians,
but they do not.
- Downplayer
Carrot Top? Yeah, he’s about as funny as a
terminal illness.
- Rhetorical analogy
Name That Rhetorical
Device!
“Any person who thinks that Libya is not
involved in terrorism has the same kind of
mentality as people who think that Hitler was
not involved in persecuting Jews.”
—Robert Oakley, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large
for Counterterrorism
- Rhetorical analogy
“Who is to blame for this lackluster political
campaign?”
—Television network anchor
- Loaded question
Name That Rhetorical
Device!
Surely you can’t say that the American
people have ever been behind Bill
Clinton. After all, he got a mere 43
million votes in 1992, which is five
million fewer than George Bush got
when he beat Dukakis in 1988.
- Downplayer (“mere”)
Group Exercise
Exercise 5-1
#2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
(euphemism, dysphemism, weaseler, downplayers)
Exercise 5-5
#2, 4, 6, 9, 10
(sarcasm, hyperbole, proof surrogates)
Exercise 5-6
#2, 4, 5, 9, 10
Exercise 5-15
#3, 5, 6, 9
Group Exercise
Exercise 5-1
#2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
(euphemism, dysphemism, weaseler, downplayers)
•
•
•
•
•
•
2. downplayer ("only")
4. weaseler (“may”)
6. dysphemisms (“extremists”)
8. dysphemisms (“bloated”
9. euphemism (“tinkle”)
10. downplayer (“just”)
Group Exercise
Exercise 5-5
#2, 4, 6, 9, 10
(sarcasm, hyperbole, proof surrogates)
•
•
•
•
•
2. proof surrogates (“test have shown”)
4. proof surrogates (“anybody who…”)
6. hyperbole (“only thing”)
9. hyperbole (“a thousand years”)
10. sarcasm (“isn’t bad”)
Group Exercise
Exercise 5-6
#2, 4, 5, 9, 10
•
•
•
•
•
2. c - downplayer
4. d – hyperbole/a rhetorical analogy
5. b - euphemism (“little discussion”)
9. a – proof surrogate (“everyone knows”)
10. d – euphemism (“normal wear & tear”)
Group Exercise
Exercise 5-15
#3, 5, 6, 9
•
•
•
•
3. a – loaded question
5. c – stereotype
6. a – rhetorical definition
9. b – rhetorical explanation
Group Exercise
Use two or more rhetorical devices to
restate the following ideas. Then explain
what devices were used and how they
were used.
• Your cat is getting old. You should consider
killing it to help relieve her pain.
• I do not think you have thought this decision
through.
Rhetoric vs. Argument
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion.
An argument seeks to establish
a conclusion.
But an argument can use
rhetoric!!
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Midterm
• Bring a Scantron.
• You do not need to bring paper
for the short answer portion. I
will provide paper for you to
write on.
• 20% of your grade.
Homework
Review Practice Midterm
Questions