Introduction to Rhetorical Appeals and Strategies (Read/Study)

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. As I mentioned in the overview for this unit, it is something you do all the time, but you might not know that the theory behind it was created by the Greek Philosopher Aristotle Links to an external site. (384-322 B.C.) ages ago. That's a bust of him in the image to the right.

Simply put, understanding rhetoric helps us to analyze an author's intentions, whether what we are reading or viewing is a commercial, a text or post, a newspaper editorial, or an academic journal essay, like the ones we read by Carol S. Dweck and Michael E. Martinez; in addition, it helps us to become advanced readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Ultimately, being able to analyze, evaluate, and use rhetoric helps us to be more engaged citizens. 

The following reading tasks will introduce you to Aristotle's Appeals and the strategies used to make them. As you read, take notes, and write down any questions you may have. We will discuss this information in the Zoom session on Thursday 4/23 from 9:30-10:45 am, and you will participate in a Discussion Forum and take an exam on the information next week. 

Time to Read! 

Reading Task One

In the free, online textbook, Writing Arguments (Links to an external site.), read and take notes on the following sections; also, be sure to prepare questions as they arise, as I will be able to respond to them in the class Zoom on Thursday 4/23 at 9:30 and/or by email. 

  • Chapter 1, "Argument: An Introduction," pages 2-12 (stop before "Argument and the Problem of Truth," though you may read it if you like).
  • "Reading Texts Rhetorically, " pages 25-32.
  • "Classical Appeals and the Rhetorical Structure," pages 54-55.

Reading Task Two

Next, study the one-page chart linked below, which will help you name and identify the strategies authors use to appeal to their readers.

This handout will help you to understand the difference between an appeal and a strategy, as well as how they go hand-in-hand. You will want to print out, or at least save it on your desktop, as you will be using it quite a bit.

Critical Reading/Analysis Task Three

Finally,  go back to our discussion of the 2018 New York Times editorial, "It's Hard to Be Hungry on Spring Break," and referring to the chart "Aristotle's Persuasive Appeals & Strategies," as well as the reading you did from Writing Arguments, use the new terms you have reviewed and/or learned and identify which appeals are logos, pathos, ethos and the specific strategies the author, Anthony Abraham Jack, employs to persuade his audience of his major claim, which is a call to action for national policy changes to make sure college and university students do not go hungry. 

Any questions or concerns, please email me, as I am here for you!