rhetoric

(noun)

The art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade.

Related Terms

  • orator
  • Disposition
  • sophist
  • pathos

Examples of rhetoric in the following topics:

  • History of Public Speaking

    • Aspasia of Miletus (469 BCE), the "mother of rhetoric," is believed to have taught rhetoric to Socrates.
    • Plato defined the scope of rhetoric according to his negative opinions of the art.
    • Leading rhetorical theorists included John Quincy Adams, who advocated for the democratic advancement of the art of rhetoric.
    • Throughout the 20th century, rhetoric developed as a concentrated field of study with the establishment of rhetorical courses in high schools and universities.
    • Communication departments had professors who studied and taught classical rhetoric, contemporary rhetoric, along with empirical and qualitative social science.
  • Producing an Emotional Appeal

    • Pathos is an emotional appeal used in rhetoric that depicts certain emotional states.
    • The speech uses rhetoric to convey the point of equal opportunity for all people.
    • It is considered by many as a prime example of successful rhetoric and emotional appeal.
    • In the speech, Martin Luther King Jr. weaves current events into the fabric of American history, underscoring the tragedy with biblical rhetoric.
  • Ethical Usage

    • Speeches grounded in the principles of rhetoric focus on three types of rhetorical appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos.
  • Defining Emotional Appeal

    • Pathos is a communication technique used most often in rhetoric (where it is considered one of the three modes of persuasion, alongside ethos and logos), and in literature, film, and other narrative art.
    • In debating terms, emotional appeals are often effective as a rhetorical device, but are generally considered naive or dishonest as a logical argument, since they often appeal to the prejudices of listeners rather than offer a sober assessment of a situation.
  • Employ Empathy and Sensitivity

    • Emotional appeals can be a powerful rhetorical element of a persuasive speech.
  • Maximize Understanding

    • To maximize understanding, use general rhetorical strategies and other approaches that build upon the audience's prior experiences.
    • Here we are concerned with how you might use different rhetorical strategies to maximize what the audience understands.
  • Building Credibility

    • Roman orator Quintillian defines persuasive rhetoric as essentially "the good man speaking well. " British historian James A.
  • Using Different Kinds of Appeals

    • The only type of rhetorical appeal accepted in a courtroom in an evidential appeal.
  • Alliteration

    • While alliteration doesn't serve much rhetorical purpose, you do make your case more compelling by using a beautiful form of expression and language.
  • Culture Bias

    • From a rhetorical perspective, your cultural bias may impact the strength and comprehensiveness of your argument.
    • Describe how cultural bias can impact the delivery, rhetorical content and reception of a speech
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