WHAT ARE RHETORICAL
STRATEGIES?
Persuasion
 The type of speech or writing, usually non-
fiction, that attempts to convince an
audience to think or act in a particular way.
 (To persuade is to change one’s perspective)
Argument
 A statement of opinion about a problem or an
issue and the support for the statement.
Argument
(Proposition)
Reasons
(explanations)
Evidence
(examples, facts,
expert opinions)
What is rhetoric? And why
bother studying it?
 “the art of effective expression (speaking &
writing) and the persuasive use of language”
 We study rhetoric because:
 it helps us to better appreciate appeals to our
ethos, pathos, & logos (more on this to come)
 it helps us to become more effective persuasive
speakers and writers
Here is a real-life example of
rhetoric in action…
 If you were trying to persuade a student to
get to class on time, you might say, “it is WHS
policy that students serve detention after
three tardies”. What makes this statement
effective?
 What could you use to persuade the
students?
Ethos, Pathos, Logos
Persuasive Techniques
 Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that there
are three basic ways to persuade an audience
that you are right.
Ethos
 Persuasive appeal of ETHICS/one’s character.
Tells us that the author is reliable and
competent
 Example: “I am a father, a taxpayer, and have
served you as senator for 20 years. I deserve
your vote to continue my service.
AK Senator Hollis French
Pathos
 Appeal to EMOTIONS (of course, meant to
evoke emotional response)
 Example: “Imagine for a moment a tragic
collision on the Parks Highway. A family is
killed and many others are injured. The cause
is determined to be frost heaves. We must
use more state funds to pay for road
improvements.”
Logos
 Appeal to LOGIC/reason (evokes a rational
response)
 Example: “Alaska’s roads are in a state of
disrepair. Without quality roads, our
transportation system will falter and hinder
our economy. Hence, we must use more state
funds to pay for road repairs.”
Rhetorical Strategies
 The strategies that follow are just some of
the ways to make your writing/speaking more
persuasive…
Parallel Structure
 Parallel Structure-repetition of grammatically
similar words, phrases, clauses, or sentences
to emphasize a point or stir the emotions of a
reader/listener. Used to create a sense of
rhythm, balance, and order in writing or
speech.
 Chiasmus=“inverted parallelism” (i.e. eat to live,
not live to eat)
Parallel Structure
The coach told the players: “You will get
some sleep tonight, you will not eat too
much right before the game, and you will do
some warm-up exercises before the game.”
Rhetorical Question
 Rhetorical Question-question not answered
by writer b/c the answer is obvious or
obviously desired. Used in persuasion to
encourage the reader/listener to reflect on
what the answer must be.
 “How much longer must our people endure
this injustice?”
Allusion
 Short, informal reference to famous person,
event, story. Relies on reader/listener to be
familiar with the reference and hidden
meaning. Used to stimulate ideas,
associations, add extra information.
 If I want to persuade you to wash your hands,
I may say “thou shalt wash thy hands”. I am
trusting that you respect the commandments
and, hence, my statement.
Analogy
 Comparison between two things that are
alike in certain respects. Used in persuasion
to demonstrate the logic of one idea by
showing how it is similar to an accepted idea.
 (“Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The
job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal
them up, but to help them reveal the riches
within.”-Sydney Harris)
Alliteration
 Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Used
to call attention to a phrase and fixes it in the
reader’s/listener’s mind.
 (i.e. “Let us go forth to lead the land we
love.”- John F. Kennedy Inaugural speech)
Humor
 Humor can be used to make you like the
writer/speaker and “win you over”
 Hyperbole-exaggeration for emphasis/effect (“at
night she needs a paint scraper to take off her
makeup”)
 Sarcasm (“Obama doesn’t have the experience of
being Miss Wasilla!”)
 Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) (“it is ironic
that the window store had all of its windows
broken by vandals”)
 Understatement (From Monty Python: Army
officer loses a leg, “Stings a bit.”)
Audience
 When attempting to persuade, consider your
audience.
 For example, you would not use caustic satire
to persuade a potential employer to hire you.
 (“The food served here is great if you are a
teenager with two dollars in your pocket.”)
Active Voice v. Passive Voice
 Active Voice- The boy hit the ball. The subject
of this sentence actively hits the ball.
 Passive Voice- The ball was hit by the boy.
The subject sits passively, doing nothing
while some outside agent performs the
action.
Fact and Opinion
 A fact-a statement that can be proven
beyond a reasonable doubt (Example: Barak
Obama is the current president of the United
States. (fact)
 Opinion- a personal interpretation of belief
(Example: Cedar Hill ISD has the best track
team in Dallas/Ft. Worth. (opinion)
Substantiated and
Unsubstantiated Opinion
 Define the word: Substantiate/
Unsubstantiated
 Which can be debated or argued?
 A. Wednesday is the fourth day of the week.
 B. Wednesday feels like the longest day of
the week.
Substantiate
(Opinions)
 To substantiate you can:
 Verify facts
 Use examples
 Use statistics
 Get an expert opinion
 Use anecdotes