What is rhetoric?
Rhetoric can have many definitions. For the purpose of our site, rhetoric simply means the art of finding the best available means of persuasion.
An argument is the attempt to solve a problem with 2 or more conflicting solutions, often through rhetoric. The "rhetorical situation" is relationship among the author, the reader, and the text - shown to the right - along with the constraints and urgency of the issue (exigence). We break this triangle down using the acronym TRACE:
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How are we analyzing our argument?
These are the official, "straight-out-of-the-book" definitions. For shorter versions, feel free to scroll past this.
"Logos (Greek for 'word') focuses attention on the the quality of the message - that is, on the internal consistency and clarity of the argument itself and on the logic of its reasons and support. The impact of logos on an audience is referred to as its logical appeal."
"Ethos (Greek for 'character') focuses attention on the writer's (or speaker's) character as it is projected in the message. It refers to the credibility of the writer. Ethos is often conveyed through the writer's investment in his or her claim, through the fairness with which the writer considers alternative views, through the tone and style of the message, and even through the message's professional appearance on paper or screen, including correct grammar, flawless proofreading, and appropriate formats for citations and bibliography. In some cases, ethos is also a function of the writer's reputation for honesty and expertise independent of the message. The impact of ethos on an audience is referred to as the ethical appeal or appeal from credibility."
"Pathos (Greek for 'suffering' or 'experience') focuses attention on the values and beliefs of the intended audience. It is often associated with emotional appeal. But pathos appeals more specifically to an audience's imaginative sympathies - their capacity to feel and see what the writer feels and sees. Thus, when we turn the abstractions of logical discourse into a tangible and immediate story, we are making a pathetic appeal. Whereas appeals to logos and ethos can further an audience's intellectual assent to our claim, appeals to pathos engage the imagination and feelings, moving the audience to a deeper appreciation of the argument's significance."
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In short...
It's important to keep in mind that these three appeals aren't always concrete; often, they overlap with one another.
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Logos focuses on an argument's logic of its reasons and support. We will analyze logos in terms of...
Ethos focuses on the writer's credibility in regards to the argument. We analyze ethos in two ways:
Pathos focuses engaging the imagination and the feelings of the audience while tapping in to the audience's beliefs and values. We analyze pathos through...
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