Stafford/American Studies/Fall 2015/ Aristotelian logic
Your Name: __________________________
Directions: a) While watching a 2015 presidential debate, identify an example of a candidate’s use of these
basic rhetorical and reasoning speech strategies. b) Practice how could use each strategy in your own debates.
1. DESCRIPTION: Gives detailed sensory perceptions of a person, place, or thing. Think imagery.
a. Candidate: ________________________________
Description of Description:
b. For your debate, what description might engage the listener with imagery?
2. NARRATION: Tells a story. This will often appeal to the “everyman” or to a targeted voter.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
Description of Narration:
b. For your debate, what narrative may be effective in targeting your peers?
3. PROCESS ANALYSIS: Explains how to do something or how something happens.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
Description of Process Analysis:
b. For your debate, what is a process that accompanies your topic?
4. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: Discusses similarities and differences.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
Description of Comparison & Contrasting:
b. For your debate, are there elements that you might choose to compare and contrast?
5. DIVISION & CLASSIFICATION: Divides a whole into parts or sort related items into categories.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
b. For your debate topic, are there natural subcategories or divisions? List.
6. DEFINTION: Provides the meaning of terms you use. Who is your audience?
a. Candidate: _________________________________
b. For your debate, are there terms or definitions your audience may not know?
7. CAUSE AND EFFECT ANAYLSIS: Analyzes why something happens and describe the consequences of a
string of events.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
b. For your debate, what would be the effects if your position won? What would be the effects caused by the
counter position?
8. ARGUMENTION: Convinces others through reasoning.
a. Candidate: _________________________________
b. For your debate, what is your reasoning for your position? How is this convincing?