The document discusses Walter Fisher's narrative paradigm theory. The narrative paradigm proposes that humans are naturally storytellers and that stories are a more effective means of persuasion than arguments or evidence alone. The paradigm has five key elements: it views humans as homo narrans or storytelling animals; considers symbolic actions, events, and their meanings over time as the basic elements of human communication; and evaluates the coherence and fidelity of stories rather than objective facts or logical arguments. The narrative paradigm shifts the focus of rhetoric and persuasion from the rational appeals of logos and ethos emphasized by Aristotle to the emotional appeal of pathos through compelling stories.

1. The Narrative Paradigm: Walter Fisher Griffen Chapter 23 Lecture 17.11.2009

2. Storytelling (p. 298-9) Storytelling epitomized (defines) human nature Reasons to agree Good story very effective Evidence and proof are less effective Narrative Paradigm Nothing Didactic (clear and instructive) Nothing Descriptive

3. Defining Narration (p. 300) 3 Elements Symbolic Actions (words and deeds) S equence and meaning T hose who live, create and interpret them Broad: Rooted in time and space Explains all human experience

4. Paradigm (p. 300) Conceptual Framework (way of thinking) Ontology Epistemology Axiology Narrative Paradigm (Stories as persuasion) A text without a story cannot persuade

5. The Rational Paradigm: 5 Elements (p. 301) Humans use reason/logic/arguments Decision making based arguments Speaking situation maps argument Rationality=knowledge + argumentation World: Puzzled to be solved by reason

6. Artistotle: Rhetoric 101 Aristotle’s Rhetoric Genres: Political (future oriented; good or bad plans) Ceremonial (present; praise or blame) Forensic (past oriented: right or wrong) Artistic Appeals: Ethos (character of speaker or audience) Pathos (passions and emotions) Logos (arguments and evidence)

7. Narrative Paradigm: 5 Elements (pp. 301-2) Humans are story tellers not rational Good reasons: depend on medium and situation History, biography, culture Narrative rationality: coherence (holding together) and fidelity (apparent truth) of our stories We choose stories to create and re-create our lives

8. Shift in Focus: Back to Aristotle Rational Privileges: Logos Ethos Narrative Privileges: Pathos Ethos