Rhetoric is the art of using your
language in a persuasive manor and can be split up into three main types.
However, first a key term that also needs to be known is exigency; exigency is
what you want to ultimately accomplish with your rhetoric or persuasion. For
example, in the novel Devil in the
White City , by Eric Larson, the Character Daniel Burnham’s exigency is
throughout most of the book is to create the best world’s fair that he possibly
can and in turn causes him to use many types of rhetoric to achieve that goal.
Now that we have an idea of exigency anddthe three types of Rhetoric are:
Logos-A logical argument, stats, facts, evidence
Example-In the short story from the Art of Work, called “The Boy and the Bank Officer” the
boy uses a logical argument by stating that he should be able to withdraw money despite the
banks age policy because of the fact that he had already done so in the past without any
problems.
Pathos-An emotional argument; vicarious experiences and personal experiences that appeal
to the reader's emotions
Example-Also in “The Boy and the Bank Officer” the bully is using pathos when he gets the
boy to give him his money through the emotion of fear.
Ethos- Trust, Leadership, Ethics, Morals
Example-When a commercial is trying to sell you a product and they get a qualified
individual (doctor, dentist, PhD, etc.) to endorse the product
Science of Persuasion
Reciprocity-The act of giving a gift in order to create an obligation for someone to return
the favor
Scarcity- A claim that states that something is running out or won’t last much longer
(Limited time only)
Authority- The act of using someone with authority on the subject to support your claim
Consistency- A commitment or loyalty to a product or brand
Liking- Giving similarities or compliments to the consumers
Consensus- People will look to others or the majority of others in order to determine their own actions
Examples from Devil in the White City
Reciprocity-Pg.35,36 Holmes show this style of persuasion when he is seen giving free meals and special treatment to the cops in hopes of perhaps gaining their favor in the future when he could potentially be accused of a crime.
Authority-Pg.53 Olmstead is described in a way that establishes his ethos as someone who is very respectful and reliable by saying things like—“he has a reputation for brilliance and tireless devotion to his work”—and also describes past jobs and merits that he has worked and achieved in the past. Olmstead then proceeded to use this Ethos of his to recruit more architects whom where very impressed with his authority in the world of architecture.
Liking-During the period when Burnham and Olmstead where recruiting architects from other cities they would wine and dine them impress on them a good ethos which would cause the others to like them and in turn come work with them in Chicago.
Consensus-After they finished using "Liking" to recruit the majority of the architects they also used the method of consensus to recruit the last few stragglers by saying that "so many others have come to help so why shouldn't you come as well."
Logos-A logical argument, stats, facts, evidence
Example-In the short story from the Art of Work, called “The Boy and the Bank Officer” the
boy uses a logical argument by stating that he should be able to withdraw money despite the
banks age policy because of the fact that he had already done so in the past without any
problems.
Pathos-An emotional argument; vicarious experiences and personal experiences that appeal
to the reader's emotions
Example-Also in “The Boy and the Bank Officer” the bully is using pathos when he gets the
boy to give him his money through the emotion of fear.
Ethos- Trust, Leadership, Ethics, Morals
Example-When a commercial is trying to sell you a product and they get a qualified
individual (doctor, dentist, PhD, etc.) to endorse the product
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| Logos |
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| Pathos |
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| Ethos |
Reciprocity-The act of giving a gift in order to create an obligation for someone to return
the favor
Scarcity- A claim that states that something is running out or won’t last much longer
(Limited time only)
Authority- The act of using someone with authority on the subject to support your claim
Consistency- A commitment or loyalty to a product or brand
Liking- Giving similarities or compliments to the consumers
Consensus- People will look to others or the majority of others in order to determine their own actions
Examples from Devil in the White City
Reciprocity-Pg.35,36 Holmes show this style of persuasion when he is seen giving free meals and special treatment to the cops in hopes of perhaps gaining their favor in the future when he could potentially be accused of a crime.
Authority-Pg.53 Olmstead is described in a way that establishes his ethos as someone who is very respectful and reliable by saying things like—“he has a reputation for brilliance and tireless devotion to his work”—and also describes past jobs and merits that he has worked and achieved in the past. Olmstead then proceeded to use this Ethos of his to recruit more architects whom where very impressed with his authority in the world of architecture.
Liking-During the period when Burnham and Olmstead where recruiting architects from other cities they would wine and dine them impress on them a good ethos which would cause the others to like them and in turn come work with them in Chicago.
Consensus-After they finished using "Liking" to recruit the majority of the architects they also used the method of consensus to recruit the last few stragglers by saying that "so many others have come to help so why shouldn't you come as well."
