Warm Up

Read the NPR article and do the response.

The prompt on your handout is worded
wrong, it should say…

Should parents be forced to testify against
their children? Why or why not? Answer in
your writer’s notebook. Give at least two
reasons why they should or shouldn’t be
forced to testify against their children. Use
evidence (examples) either from the article
or your own knowledge to back up your
claims (reasons).
Ethos, Pathos,
and Logos
ENGLISH II
What is rhetoric?
rhet·o·ric /ˈrɛt ər ɪk/–noun
1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse,
including the figures of speech.
3. the study of the effective use of language.
4. the ability to use language effectively.
5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an
audience.
Why are we studying
rhetoric?

To help us analyze the persuasive
techniques used by the characters in
Antigone.

To help us notice the persuasive
techniques being directed at us as we
read, hear and view text and other
media every day, in and outside of
school.

To help us craft our own persuasive
writing and speech.
What is a rhetorical
strategy?

A way of using language that is designed to
influence an audience’s thoughts about an issue

We will study three major rhetorical strategies:

logos

pathos

ethos
What is Logos?
***This is the most important rhetorical
strategy.***
Logos - Appealing to the audience’s sense
of logic or intelligence.
When identifying Logos,
look for:
The Author’s Central Claim (Thesis)
2. Supporting Reasons
-General statements that prove the
central Claim.
3. Supporting Evidence
-statistics
-facts/data
-graphs
-examples
1.
More to look for…
4. Counterarguments
-Anticipate opposing views, and refute (deny) the
validity of the argument.
5. Persuasive Situation
-Intended audience and topic (Triangle)
-Occasion: what is the time and place?
-Purpose
What is the EFFECT on the
Audience?
Logos evokes a rational response. Readers think,
“Oh, that makes sense” or “Hmm, that doesn’t
really prove anything”.
Pathos
Pathos-Appealing to the Audience’s sense of
emotion using descriptive language.
When identifying PATHOS,
look for:
-imagery/figurative language
-connotations with word choice and
phrases
-personal anecdotes (stories)
-emotionally loaded language (vivid
descriptions)
-imagery
-diction (word choice)
-emotional tone: (humor, sarcasm,
disappointment, excitement, etc.)
***BEWARE OF…***
Propaganda-an argument that appeals ONLY to the
emotions is by definition WEAK. Although
sometimes pathos alone can be powerfully
persuasive, propaganda is generally considered
to be an empty tactic, as it manipulates, rather
than appeals to, the audience’s emotions.
What is the EFFECT on the
audience?
Pathos evokes an emotional response, persuading
using the Audience’s emotion, and usually
conjures emotions such as fear, sympathy,
empathy, or anger.
Ethos
Ethos-Belongs to the Speaker; appeals to the
Speaker’s credibility and character by showing
his/her expertise, knowledge, experience, training,
etc.
When identifying ETHOS,
look for:
-Speaker’s profession/background-valid
qualifications
-Appropriate vocabulary, correct grammar
-Evidence of shared values between Speaker and
Audience
-Speaker is morally/ethically likeable
-Appropriate tone of the text/making a good
impression)
-Thoroughness of information
What is the EFFECT on the
audience?
Ethos helps the reader to see the audience as reliable,
trustworthy, competent, and credible; therefore, the
reader might respect the author’s views.
Antigone Scene III:
Annotation Guide
P
Mark P for Pathos
E
Mark E for Ethos
when a character when a character
appeals to emotion appeals to his own
authority
L
Mark L for Logos
when a character
appeals to logic
By Bree Rolfe
Persuasive Writing Structure
Step One:
Draw the
Robot Man
Persuasive Essay
An essay that states your stance on a
particular issue and then argues for that
stance with logical reasons and evidence.
The HEAD of our Essay
For example:
Almost every day on the
morning announcements, Ms. Smith
reminds the students to
clean up after themselves during
lunch. However, not all students are
helping keep the school clean and
safe.
Intro:
Present the
problem or
situation.
The NECK of our Essay
What is your opinion?
Take a Stand!
This is your THESIS. You may include your three reasons in your
thesis or you may leave it off to save space.
For example:
Students need to take pride in their school and treat it with
respect. OR… Students need to clean up after themselves during
lunch because the custodians already work too hard, trash on the
ground I a safety hazard and a messy school reflects badly on its
students.
The BODY of our Essay
Give three reasons
why you are taking
your stand.
1.
2.
3.
First of all, the custodians
clean all day long and are
some of the hardest working
people in the school.
Also, as Ms. Smith has
stated many times, trash on
the ground is a safety
hazard.
Finally, a school that
is not clean reflects badly on
its students and faculty.
Reason #1 for position
Reason #2 for position
Reason #3 for position
An ARM of our Essay
Support your arguments with evidence and
examples. Your English teachers call this
elaboration.
Finally, a school that is not clean reflects
badly on its students and faculty. There are
often visitors touring our school, such
as representatives from prestigious
universities, like the University of Texas, that
come for college fairs, and we do not want to
make a bad impression.
The leg of your essay…
Opposing viewpoints are rebutted. You
“shut down” the opposition.
Some people think that it’s the custodians
job to pick up trash. However, a custodian’s job
involves much more than cleaning. They have to
maintain the building. If they are swamped with
having to clean up student’s trash, they can’t do
other things like change light bulbs in classrooms,
move furniture and paint.
The other LEG
of our essay
Students need to take a more active role
in helping to maintain the schools
appearance. Students should encourage
one another to be both responsible and
respectful by cleaning up after
themselves.
Recap
the staff
stance.