Study Hall: Composition - Understanding Rhetoric

Introduction to Rhetoric

• Rhetoric Misunderstood: Often perceived as empty or deceitful language.
• Purpose: Rhetoric should be seen as a valuable tool for persuasion.
• Application: Useful in various contexts like essays, courtrooms, daily conversations, and advocacy.

Understanding Persuasion

• Definition: Persuasion means changing minds, sometimes leading to change in actions.
• Techniques Vary: Different scenarios require different persuasive techniques.
• Examples of Persuasion:
  • Ethical discussions vs. convincing a child to eat vegetables.
  • Non-verbal cues like nodding or smiling can also be persuasive.

The Role of Rhetoric

• Aristotle's Definition: Rhetoric is observing the means of persuasion in any case.
• I.A. Richards’ View: Rhetoric is about understanding misunderstandings and their remedies.
• Rhetoricians: Study human communication, including language, silence, and body language.

Analyzing Rhetorical Situations

• Components: Writer, purpose, strategy, context, and audience.
• Learning from Patterns: Analyze the success and failure of persuasive attempts.
• Example: A child learning when it’s effective to ask for candy.

Practical Application: Writer in Action

• Case Study: Keisha and Sojourner Truth
  • Objective: Learn from historic speeches to enhance persuasive writing.
  • Focus: Analyze the rhetorical situation of Sojourner Truth’s "Ain’t I a Woman?"
  • Insights:
    • Truth’s background as a former slave and activist context.
    • Purpose for equality in voting rights.
    • Strategy: Equality of all women in her speech.

Technique: Rhetorical Situation Recognize (RSR)

• Purpose: To analyze and understand rhetorical situations.
• Steps:
  • Write categories: audience, purpose, context, and text.
  • Note what you know and need to learn about the situation.
• Example: Crafting a student body president campaign bio using RSR.

Conclusion

• Self-Awareness: Recognize your inherent persuasive abilities.
• Improving Persuasion: Learning rhetoric increases deliberate, effective persuasion.
• Next Steps: Further exploration of audience tailoring in persuasion.

Additional Information

• Engagement: Encouragement to subscribe for more lessons.
• Resources: Links to Arizona State University and Crash Course content.