The document discusses the origins and key elements of rhetoric according to the ancient Greeks. It specifically outlines Aristotle's three pillars of rhetoric - ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos refers to establishing credibility and authority with an audience. Pathos involves appealing to emotions. Logos is using sound reasoning and logic to make arguments. The document then explains various rhetorical devices like rhetorical questions, repetition, metaphors, analogies, and others that can help enhance rhetoric when used effectively.

1. RHETORIC
FROM THE EARLY SOPHISTS TO THE ETHICAL AND ETERNAL ARISTOTLE, THE GREEKS
RAISED TO AN ART FORM THE SKILL OF KNOWING WHAT TO SAY, AT THE RIGHT
TIME, IN THE RIGHT WAY, TO INFLUENCE, INFORM, BALANCE, OR PROVOKE THEIR
LISTENERS, …AND THEY CALLED IT RHETORIC.

2. ETHOS – PATHOS – LOGOS
• The trifecta of argumentation!
(Trifecta … look that up, Peeps!)
• Aristotle identified these three elements as the essential
ingredients for sound rhetoric.

3. ETHOS
• The “ethics” – not of your argument – but of your character and your
credibility. Who or what are YOU that gives YOU the legitimacy to be
speaking or writing on YOUR topic. Yes, it really is all about YOU.
• Ethos is an attempt to sway your listeners/readers with the sheer integrity
of your character and knowledge on the subject at hand.
• To establish ETHOS with your audience/readers, you want to firmly
present yourself as an authority on the subject as well as a respectable or
likeable human being.
• If you are not an authority but you want to have ETHOS in your court, at
least establish your relationship to the subject OR your extensive
dedication to research of the subject. Confidence but not cockiness can
fill in the blanks and establish ETHOS if you are speaking to your audience.

4. PATHOS
• The “emotion” – the sheer emotive quality attached to what you are
speaking or writing about. Pathos means feeling.
• PATHOS will tap into the raw emotions of your audience/readers.
Think about hitting the “pathy’s” ….sympathy, empathy,
antipathy…just avoid psychopathy. (Badum bump!)
• Using PATHOS, emotions can override logic in humans – but not for
long. Depending on your subject, to rely too much on pathos is a
rhetorical crutch and not a reliable plan – unless you are Sarah
Mclachlan in those ASPCA commercials.
• Do not use it as a base, do not rely too heavily upon it for a true
argument, and do not be transparent about it – but do not be afraid
to work some PATHOS into your rhetoric.

5. LOGOS
• The “logic” – the reasoning – the heart and soul of good sound
argumentation. When you establish LOGOS in your writing and
speaking, you are a force to be reckoned with.
• Sadly, some humans find that LOGOS hurts their brains and they avoid it;
therefore, in rhetoric, you must explicitly map out, break
down, explain, and support your reasoning. Just to be clear, let’s go over
the important word again…EXPLICITLY map out, break down, and support
your reasoning. (See what I did there…)
• The perfect storm of Logos is established by presenting a solid
premise, providing rock-hard support, acknowledging and rebutting your
opposition, all while maintaining objectivity, and avoiding fallacies. (So
simple! bahaha)
• LOGOS is the foundation of all things good and right in rhetoric. Learn

6. RHETORICAL DEVICES
• Rhetoric, ETHOS – PATHOS – LOGOS, are the ends and RHETORICAL
DEVICES are part of the means.
• Rhetorical devices are TOOLS that will assist you in your quest to
achieve good rhetoric.
• Eng III Rhetorical Devices:
Rhetorical
Question, Repetition, Metaphor, Simile, Analogy, Alliteration, Parallelis
m, Hyperbole, Understatement, Antithesis
There are so many more…

7. Rhetorical Question =
• Asking a question that does not require an answer. Not only does it
not require an answer, you do not want an answer.
• Example:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/rhetoricalquestion.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR
RHETORIC

8. Repetition=
• Repeating key words, phrases, or concepts for emphasis.
• Example from a poem by T.S. Eliot:
Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn…
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR
RHETORIC

9. Analogy =
• In the rhetoric world, this is a long or completely played out simile or
extended metaphor. (Outside of the rhetoric world, it is a word
association pattern that you desperately need to master if you plan to
take the SAT…)
• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/analogy.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR
RHETORIC

10. Metaphor & Simile =
• You know these. Every students seems to know these.
• Metaphor – comparison not using like or as.
• Simile – comparison using like or as.
• Examples: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/metaphor.htm
& http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/simile.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH YOUR
RHETORIC

11. Alliteration=
• Two or more words beginning with the same consonant sound in a
line, sentence, or phrase.
• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/alliteration.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

12. Parallelism =
• Lines or phrases containing the same grammatical pattern. In
rhetoric, these work best in short bursts.
• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/parallelism.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

13. Understatement=
• Exact opposite of a Hyperbole. Understatement downplays the
importance or impact of something in order to make a point.
• Example:
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

14. Hyperbole=
• Extreme exaggeration used to make a point.
• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/hyperbole.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC

15. Antithesis=
• The opposite used to balance the argumentative equation. The “but”
of an argument – you present the point and then balance it with the
“but….” or the “other….” side. Juxtaposition ideas for balance and
emphasis. (Juxta look it up ;)
• Example: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/figures/antithesis.htm
• HOW AND WHY IT WORKS COGNITIVELY TO ASSIST WITH RHETORIC