Defining Rhetoric
And Understanding the Rhetorical
Triangle
A Definition
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Rhetoric can be understood as
“The art that humans use to process all
the messages we send and receive” AND
As the language choices made by both
sides that make a “text” meaningful,
purposeful, and effective.
Notice that both the producer and the
receiver of a message are involved in a
rhetorical situation.
Why Rhetoric?
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No text exists in a bubble;
instead, a text represents the interplay of
several elements, and being aware of
these elements is a rhetorical awareness.
Why Rhetoric?
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Understanding Rhetoric allows you to
Plan, write, and speak well;
Discern and critique messages;
Analyze a text or situation and see that
there are choices to be made;
And analyze a situation and understand its
context, what has already been said, and
what you can add to the situation.
Why Rhetoric?
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There is a moral component to Rhetoric:
According to Aristotle, Rhetoric is based
on a common search for truth.
Cicero—rhetoric is intertwined with ethics,
because it implies self-control, an
understanding of the world, and a search
for truth and justice.
The Rhetorical Triangle
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Subject
Rhetor
Audience
The Rhetor
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Why not say “Author” or “Speaker”?
Persona
Normally educated, trustworthy,
considerate, and well-intentioned.
Tone –
The rhetor’s attitute towards their subject.
The Subject
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Must be open to interpretation in order to
be a rhetorical situation.
The subject is what the text is about, and
the evidence used to achieve the
purpose.
The basic format of evidence is “claimplus-support.”
The Audience
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The Rhetor makes choices based on what
they know about the audience and based
on what they think the audience already
knows.
The audience brings background
knowledge about the subject and the
rhetor.
Logos, Pathos, and Ethos
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The Rhetor will appeal to the audience
Logically (called Logos)
Emotionally (Pathos)
And by developing his or her own
credibility (Ethos)