Rhetoric GRAMMAR
Content Rhetoric is a language that is intended to persuade and influence people. It may not always been honest, but it is convincing. Learning Outcomes Learn to use effective, persuasive language with the rhetoric. Learn different styles of rhetoric Discuss what language persuades or impresses you www.english-maestro.mn 1
Rhetoric Related Vocabulary Opinions Speeches Sales Pitch Persuasion Impression Metaphor Literary Deceit Compositional Figure of Speech www.english-maestro.mn 2
Examples of Rhetoric 1) Rhetorical Questions 2) Allusion 3) Hyperbole 4) Stereotype 5) Emotional Extortion 6) Fallacy 7) Persuasion 8) Patriotism www.english-maestro.mn 3
Rhetoric by definition is the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing especially with the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. They are quite common in advertisements as well as magazines. Example: Going to the gym is important, but who has the time? Four out of five dentists choose Happy Mouth Toothpaste. Real men who love their wives get them a diamond ring. www.english-maestro.mn 4
COMMON RHETORIC Allusion An expression designed to call something to mind without actually mentioning it Example: This is the Rolls Royce of sandwiches. (It s the best sandwich) Change of Wordage A changing of words of some labels to make concepts or ideas more pleasant. Patriotism Vigorous support of a country Example: Not supporting the military is simply un-american. (It shows how something is or isn t patriotic) Persuasion A set of beliefs that makes it seem like a conceivable action. Example: It isn t stealing ideas. It s paying homage. (It makes something bad seem not too bad) Example: Joining our cult will get you an automatic place in heaven when the world ends. (It promotes a false promise using boasting) www.english-maestro.mn 5
Speaking Give examples of each rhetoric from the last slide. Example: Change of Wordage: It s not a strip club. It s a gentleman s club. 1) Allusion 2) Patriotism 3) Change of Wordage 4) Persuasion www.english-maestro.mn 6
Please note Rhetorical questions are one of the most common forms of rhetoric. They are questions that are made to prove a point, rather than to be answered. Examples What kind of fool buys this? How could you forget our meeting? Do you think I m an idiot? Do I like Pokémon? What am I, twelve? www.english-maestro.mn 7
Writing Write four rhetorical questions Example: Ex) You ve never done it before? What are you, a nun? www.english-maestro.mn 8
Please note Hyperbole is the exaggerated use of language to make a point stronger. It usually isn t taken literally but could be convincing in making a case. Examples: I thought I lost my phone! I almost had a heart attack! I would die if he saw me without my makeup. I can t, I have a million things to do today. Notice that the literal meaning is not only impossible but also sounds ridiculous. It should be noted that these shouldn t be taken literally, ever. www.english-maestro.mn 9
Writing Write four sentences using hyperboles Example: I ve seen that commercial a million times. www.english-maestro.mn 10
Please note A fallacy is a mistaken belief, especially one that is based on an unreliable argument. Examples: This phone is the best, all the cool kids have it. More people choose Xayax than any other medicine. Lots of people love Bustin Jieber, he must be good! Notice that you may have seen these used in sales or advertisements. People understand that fallacies sell. www.english-maestro.mn 11
Writing Write four sentences with any fallacies Example: You will live 20 years longer if you take fish oil supplements everyday www.english-maestro.mn 12
Please note A stereotype is a widely held, but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Examples: All upper-class white people buy our hybrid cars. Asian people love rice, so our restaurant will succeed in Taipei. All Canadians love hockey and donuts. Notice that the literal meaning is not only impossible but also sounds ridiculous. It should be noted that these shouldn t be taken literally. www.english-maestro.mn 13
Writing Write three common stereotypes about citizens of your home country Example: All Germans wear lederhosen and drink beer www.english-maestro.mn 14
Writing You need to sell something. Use rhetoric language to sell as convincingly as you can. Example: You need to buy this sandwich because it is All-American. It s taste reminds one of heaven. What kind of crazy person denies a sandwich like this? www.english-maestro.mn 15
Writing How often do you use rhetoric in your daily life? Think of some examples. Example: You need to buy this sandwich because it is All-American. It s taste reminds one of heaven. What kind of crazy person denies a sandwich like this? www.english-maestro.mn 16
Writing What are the advantages of using rhetoric? www.english-maestro.mn 17
Writing What are the advantages of using rhetoric? www.english-maestro.mn 18
Reading Read the following text. Rhetoric is an interesting aspect of language, which is quite creative but to the literal, logical person may appear as strange. Rhetoric language asks questions where answers aren t necessary, describes things inaccurately, promotes false characteristics and even changes up words to create an illusion in the mind. It s a way to direct language in a special way to make communication more effective, even if it appears strange upon first view. These situations where these are common are known as rhetorical situations. The goal of rhetoric is to convince and persuade in different ways that can paint an illusion in the mind. www.english-maestro.mn 19
Reading Read the following text. Rhetoric could be also used to convince others their point of view, whether it s for a periodical, election or something of the sort. Rhetoric has been used in language and literature since the days of Aristotle. But where it is most relevant these days is in advertising. Have you ever seen the commercial of the lady laying with her boyfriend smelling him and saying I can t get enough of that scent! This rhetoric device is used to sell the fragrance by enticing customers that a beautiful girl will be irresistible to your scent. It s all over and marketers are getting better at it. In a way, rhetoric is subliminal in a way but also dangerously convincing when used correctly. www.english-maestro.mn 20
Speaking Inspired by the previous reading, give some example of how rhetoric has worked on you in advertisements. www.english-maestro.mn 21