How to use rhetoric to get what you want - Camille A. Langston

Summary

Aristotle's Treatise on Rhetoric explores the art of persuasion, which remains relevant today. He identified three types of persuasive speech: forensic (focused on the past), epideictic (focused on the present), and deliberative (focused on the future). Aristotle also described three persuasive appeals: ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion). These techniques are still applied in politics, activism, advertising, and more. Knowing how to use them—or recognizing when they're used on you—depends on understanding your audience, purpose, and timing.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Aristotle defined rhetoric as the art of persuasion and described it over 2,000 years ago.
• 📜 There are three types of persuasive speech according to Aristotle: forensic (judicial), epideictic (demonstrative), and deliberative rhetoric.
• ⏳ Forensic rhetoric focuses on establishing facts and judgments about the past, like a detective investigating a crime scene.
• 💍 Epideictic rhetoric is used for making proclamations about the present, such as in wedding speeches.
• 🔮 Deliberative rhetoric focuses on the future, aiming to influence decisions and inspire change, commonly used by politicians and activists.
• 🧠 Aristotle identified three persuasive appeals: ethos (credibility), logos (logic and reason), and pathos (emotion).
• 💪 Ethos involves convincing the audience of the speaker’s credibility, such as through virtue, practical wisdom, or disinterest.
• 📊 Logos employs logical reasoning, including the use of analogies, examples, and factual evidence to persuade the audience.
• ❤️ Pathos appeals to emotions and can be powerful in influencing an audience, often used in advertising and mass media.
• 🎯 Understanding your audience and purpose is crucial in determining which rhetorical appeal to use, as well as recognizing when these methods are being used on you.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Aristotle's Treatise on Rhetoric?

Aristotle's Treatise on Rhetoric focuses on understanding the art of persuasion and how to effectively use speech to influence others.

What are the three types of persuasive speech Aristotle identified?

Aristotle identified three types of persuasive speech: forensic (judicial), epideictic (demonstrative), and deliberative (symbouleutikon).

How is forensic rhetoric applied, and what does it focus on?

Forensic rhetoric is applied to establish facts and judgments about past events, similar to how detectives investigate a crime scene.

What is the purpose of epideictic rhetoric?

Epideictic rhetoric is used to make proclamations about the present situation, often seen in occasions like wedding speeches where current values or qualities are celebrated.

Why is deliberative rhetoric important for enacting change?

Deliberative rhetoric is important because it focuses on the future, presenting possible outcomes and urging audiences to take action to either avoid or achieve those futures, as often seen in political or activist speeches.

What are the three persuasive appeals Aristotle emphasized?

The three persuasive appeals Aristotle emphasized are ethos (credibility), logos (logic and reason), and pathos (emotion).

How does ethos contribute to effective persuasion?

Ethos contributes to effective persuasion by establishing the speaker’s credibility, virtue, practical wisdom, and disinterest in personal gain, thereby gaining the audience's trust.

What role does logos play in persuasion?

Logos uses logic and reason, incorporating analogies, examples, research, and factual knowledge to convince the audience through structured and evidence-based arguments.

How is pathos used to appeal to an audience?

Pathos appeals to the audience's emotions, often being the most effective in the age of mass media, as it can evoke strong emotional reactions and inspire actions, whether positive or negative.

Why is it important to recognize when rhetorical methods are being used on you?

It is important to recognize rhetorical methods to critically evaluate persuasive attempts and avoid being manipulated by emotional appeals, false information, or misleading arguments.