rhetorical
devices essay
You will
write your
own essay
this
Wednesday.
We will review the
three rhetorical devices
you need to know
Appeal to
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
When you try to use a person’s
ETHICS to get them to agree
with you.
When you try to use a person’s
EMOTIONS to get them to agree
with you.
When you try to use a person’s
LOGIC to get them to agree with
you.
Choice of Details
When you try to use a specific word, image
or phrase to get a person to agree with you.
Understanding of
Audience
When you use something you know about
the person to get them to agree with you.
How do you write
about these devices?
Appeal to ethos or pathos or logos
Evidence
Give the exact quote from
the text you will be using.
Analysis
Explain how the evidence is
ethos, pathos or logos.
How it
supports
argument?
Explain how the evidence and
the analysis appeals to the
OTHER person and might help
the argument.
1-2 sentences
2-3 sentences
2-3 sentences
Choice of Details
Give the exact word, image
Evidence
or phrase from the text you
1-2 sentences
will be using.
Analysis What things are associated with
2-3 sentences the word, image or phrase? How
is it being used?
How it
supports
argument?
2-3 sentences
Explain how the DETAIL itself
and the analysis help the
speaker convince the audience .
Understanding of Audience
Evidence
1-2 sentences
Analysis
2-3 sentences
How it
supports
argument?
2-3 sentences
Give the exact quote from
the text you will be using.
Explain what is known about the
audience. How does your evidence
relate to that information?
Explain how the evidence and
the nature of the audience
would persuade the audience
to agree with the argument.
The Sentry argues that Antigone
should not be punished.
Standing there she was,
giving out little shrill-like sobs;
heartbreaking as a mother
bird’s that has seen its nest
pillaged and its babies all
gone.
Choice of Details
The sentry describes Antigone as “giving out little
shrill-like sobs”. He also compares her to “a mother
bird that has seen its nest pillaged”. “Shrill-like sobs”
are a type of crying that seems miserable as sobbing
usually suggests uncontrolled emotion. An image of a
mother having its babies stolen is filled with sadness
and loss. The mother must be traumatized that her
babies are gone. The sentry uses these powerfully sad
details to give Antigone a pathetic and sad
characteristic. The Sentry believes they will feel
terrible about killing such a pathetic figure and set her
free.
Appeal to PATHOS
The Sentry compares Antigone to a crying bird
that has had its babies stolen from her. Such a
comparison should evoke powerful emotions in the
people of Thebes and Creon – appealing to their
pathos. Just as a mother in mourning is offered
sympathy, the Sentry hopes others will feel pity for
Antigone and her desperate situation. The sentry
appeals to a sense of sympathy in the Chorus and
the king. He is assuming that they will change their
minds based on their feelings of pity.
Creon argues that Antigone
must be punished.
Oh, she’s the man, not I, if
she can flout authority and
walk away unscathed.
Understanding of Audience
King Creon explains to the people of Thebes that
Antigone will be “man-like” is she is allowed to go
unpunished for her crime. The Chorus is made up
of men from the city of Thebes. Traditionally, these
men would feel that a woman’s place is to obey and
not challenge men. Creon uses these feelings to
persuade his audience that Antigone must be
punished. If she is not, their own social standing
will be effected. Such an effect would motivate the
Chorus to agree with Creon.
On your green paper….
Please write 2 things you
would do differently
on this assignment.
Turn in the folder.
Get the two Caesar papers.
Read the directions.
In Calpurnia's
speech, please find
the quotes you
would use for each
rhetorical device.
CALPURNIA
Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant
told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from
what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves
cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the
clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the
clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and
horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and
squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything
we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid.
CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only
announce the deaths of princes.
CALPHURNIA
Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t
go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own.
We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick
today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.
Which rhetorical device is it?
Appeal to
Ethos or
Pathos or
Logos
Choice of
Detail
Understanding
of audience
CALPURNIA
Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant
told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from
what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves
cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the
clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the
clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and
horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and
squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything
we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid.
CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only
announce the deaths of princes.
CALPHURNIA
Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t
go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own.
We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick
today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.
Which rhetorical device is it?
Choice of
Detail
the exact
fromout
GravesGive
cracked
open quote
and thrust
the text you drizzled
will be using.
their dead/Clouds
blood
onto the Capitol
Appeal to
Ethos or
Pathos or
Logos
Understanding
of audience
CALPURNIA
Caesar, I never believed in omens, but now they frighten me. A servant
told me the night-watchmen saw horrid sights too, but different ones from
what we heard and saw. A lioness gave birth in the streets, and graves
cracked open and thrust out their dead. Fierce, fiery warriors fought in the
clouds in the usual formations of war—ranks and squadrons—until the
clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol. The noise of battle filled the air, and
horses neighed, and dying men groaned, and ghosts shrieked and
squealed in the streets. Oh, Caesar! These things are beyond anything
we’ve seen before, and I’m afraid.
CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. The heavens only
announce the deaths of princes.
CALPHURNIA
Alas, my lord, your confidence is getting the better of your wisdom. Don’t
go out today. Say that it’s my fear that keeps you inside and not your own.
We’ll send Mark Antony to the senate house, and he’ll say that you’re sick
today. (she kneels) Let me, on my knees; win you over to this plan.
Which rhetorical device is it?
Choice of
Detail
the exact
fromout
GravesGive
cracked
open quote
and thrust
the text you drizzled
will be using.
their dead/Clouds
blood
onto the Capitol
Appeal to
Ethos or
Pathos or
Logos
Let me on my knees win you to this
plan.
Understanding
of audience
When beggars dies there are no
comments in the sky. The heavens
only announce the death of princes.
Choice of Details
Calpurnia describes her dream and includes vivid
details such as “graves cracked opened and thrust out
their dead.” During the battle in her dream, the
“clouds drizzled blood onto the Capitol.” Graves are
not usually meant to be opened and the idea of this
happening is grotesque and terrifying. Adding to the
terror is the image that blood was sent down from the
sky to drip on the city. There is a feeling that the whole
city is taken over by a horrific battle and is bathed in
death. Calpurnia's dream details should give Caesar a
sense that the city is terrifying and dangerous. This
feeling would persuade him that he should not go to
city filled with death and instead stay home safely.
Understanding of Audience
Calpurnia replies to Caesar's rebuttal that omens can
apply to any person by noting that when a beggar
dies, there are no signs. Rather, she reminds Caesar,
the “heavens only announce the deaths of princes.”
Calpurnia knows that Caesar is a powerful general and
ruler with a large ego. She tailors her argument to play
to his ego by calling him a “prince” and suggesting that
the gods are interested enough in his future to send
omens. Calpurnia uses her understanding of Caesar’s
sense of importance to make her argument. He will be
more willing to listen to her if he feels that he is being
placed above all other people and the gods care about
his well being.
Appeal to PATHOS
In a last, desperate attempt to convince Caesar to stay
home, Calpurnia drops to her knees and begs, “Let
me, on my knees; win you to this plan.”
As Caesar’s wife, she knows how to influence her
husband’s emotions. She is hoping that her
desperation and begging will appeal to Caesar’s sense
of pity.
Seeing his wife, looking up and pleading with him;
Caesar should feel a strong urge to help his wife and
take pity on her and her suffering.