Understanding the Ability to Persuade

Aristotle: Greek

philosopher 384-322 B.C.E.

Aristotle said rhetoric is “the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion”(Aristotle qtd. in Shea, et.al. 1).

1 : the art of speaking or writing effectively: as a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion (“rhetoric”).

“Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans….” (Gehrig qtd. in Shea, et. al.).

Lou Gehrig's Speech on Youtube In order to view the link, you need to view this PPT as a slide show, from current slide, above.

What are some of the effective aspects of this speech? Context

The occasion or the time and place it was written or spoken

Purpose Goal that the speaker or writer wants to achieve

Gehrig has a crystal clear idea: He’s the “luckiest man on earth.” His thesis or assertion is a clear and

focused statement. Further, Gehrig knows his subject:

Baseball in general and The Yankees in particular

“A plain spoken, positive appreciation for what he has had and a champion’s courageous acceptance of the challenges that lie before him”(Shea et. al.).

Speaker (or writer or

director)

Audience (or reader or viewer) Subject

Must: Choose a subject Evaluate what they already know

about it What others have said about it, and What kind of evidence or proof will

sufficiently develop their position

EthosLogos

Pathos

Ethos“Character”

Credible

Trustworthy

EthosImagine a speech

discouraging children from using alcohol.

How could a speaker appeal to ethos?

EthosAppeals to ethos often

emphasize shared values between the speaker and the audience.

In some cases, a speaker’s reputation immediately establishes ethos.

Can you think of an example of a speaker who would automatically have ethos?

Expertise Knowledge Experience Training Sincerity

“Embodied Thought”REASON

Writers appeal to logos by offering clear, rational ideas

1. Thesis2. Specific details

Examples Facts Data Expert testimony

What is his thesis? That he is “the luckiest man of the face of the

earth.” What are his supporting points?

Seventeen years of playing baseball Belief in the kindness and encouragement of

his fansGood people

Sterling teamBlessing of a

supportive family

CounterargumentAnticipate objections

OrOpposing views Concede or agree Refute or deny

By conceding and refuting, you actually strengthen your argument; it appeals to logos by demonstrating that you considered your argument carefully.

“Emotion”

“greatest” “wonderful” “grand” “honored” “blessing”

Vivid concrete description

Figurative language