Everyday Use chapter 1

RHETORIC refers to two things:

1)   the art of analyzing all the language choices that a writer, speaker, reader, listener might make so that a text becomes meaningful

2)   The specific features of texts, written or spoken,  that cause them to be meaningful, purposeful, effective

Rhetorical Triangle:

1)   Subject – and kinds of evidence

2)   Audience – their knowledge, ideas, attitudes, and beliefs

3)   Speaker – the character of the rhetor

Sometimes a rhetor creats a persona or mask

SIX KEYS: understanding persona, understanding appeals to audience, understanding subject, understanding intention, and understanding genre

Key #1: Persona

The speaker, or rhetor, wants to do two things: 1) speak or write so that the audience members perceive a distinct character, usually one who is educated, considerate, trustworthy, and well intentioned; second make inferences and judgments about the character and personality of another writer or speaker

Key terms: voice, tone (speaker’s attitude toward the subject he/she is writing or speaking about), diction, irony, effect

Key # 2: Appeals to Audience

Three kinds of appeals: Logos (clear, reasoned central idea developed and supported with appropriate evidence); Ethos (evidence that the speaker, writer is credible, good, believable, trustworthy person who has his/her audience’s best interests in mind); Pathos (the emotions and interests of the audience).

Key #3: Subject Matter and Its Treatment

1)   Topic, proposition, question or issue (be able to recognize) and offer two paths of interpretation.

2)   Successful writer/speaker generates effective material by capitalizing on what the audience already knows, making them curious to know more about the topic, and satisfying their curiosity by providing facts, ideas, interpretations that build on what they know

3)   Claims-plus-support.  Thesis statement with supporting points, and these points proven by facts, details, examples, illustrations, and reasons

CONTEXT (modifying the basic rhetorical triangle) – a convergence of time, place, people, events; PURPOSE and GENRE. 

Key #4: Context

What immediate situation propelled the writer to create the text (background information on topic, persona, etc.)

Context can be immediate or distant (current events or historical patterns)

Key # 5: Purpose

What does the author wants to happen as a result of the text. 

Key #6: Genre

 Think about modes of composition (narration, definition, compare and contrast, etc)

Context plus purpose leads to genre.

What do the authors say about rhetoric and citizenship?