Jan 30, 2024 at 2:32 PM When we communicate, we’re often trying to persuade othe

Jan 30, 2024 at 2:32 PM
When we communicate, we’re often trying to persuade others of something. We might want our friends to see a particular movie with us, we may be applying for a job, or we may negotiate household chores with our parents, children, or spouses. When we try to persuade others, we use particular techniques – we may appeal to our parents’ emotions or to we may try to logically persuade an employer we’re the right one for a job.
Today, you’ll
learn about these appeals
learn how to analyze these appeals
analyze a short video
participate in a group annotation!
1. Read: The Rhetorical Appeals
The term, “rhetorical appeal,” is a fancy term for a simple concept: when we communicate with audiences, we often want to persuade them of something. Right now, I’m trying to persuade you, in part, that this concept is simple even if the vocabulary seems unfamiliar.
Rhetorical Appeals: The Vocabulary
The vocabulary of rhetorical appeals, like the term “rhetoric,” itself, is somewhat foreign, and this is for a good reason. The concepts were developed most notably by the Greek philosopher Aristotle back in a place and time when decisions were made democratically. In democratic city-states, free men could appear in public forums to debate their points of view, and decisions resulted from the persuasiveness of their appeals.
Imagine if this process of decision-making were alive in the US today. Imagine if we ourselves helped make decisions on the White House lawn through our powers of persuasion. As it would in this case, in Greece persuasion mattered.
So, Aristotle studied the question of persuasion and found the following appeals (and others) to be particularly persuasive.
Appeals to logic, evidence, reasoning (logos)
Logos helps answer the question, “Based on what?”
Appeals to authority (ethos)Ethos helps answer the question, “Who says?”
includes the authority of the writer/speaker and the authority of people they rely on, like sources)
Appeals to emotions (pathos)Pathos helps answer the question, “Why should I care?”
This doesn’t necessarily refer to “sappy” emotions. It might appeal to care about something that should be cared about.
Appeals to relevance in a given time, in a given place, and in the right tone (kairos)
Kairos helps answer the question, “Why should I care about this now?”
The word, “appeal” is commonly used today. Something appeals to someone when it calls out to them, impacts them in some way, and seems relevant to them.
2. Watch: Two Short Videos on the Appeals (Ethos, Pathos, Logos, & Kairos)
“Ethos, Pathos and Logos, Explanation,” Esther Dillard (00:02:51)

“Becoming More Persuasive: An Introduction to Kairos” (00:02:32)

3. Watch: One Video on Rhetorical Analysis
“What is Rhetorical Analysis?” Kyle Stedman (00:06:25)

4. Watch: A Short Video With Analytical Questions in Mind
In about 30 minutes, you’ve just learned or refreshed your understanding of some key concepts for rhetorical analysis. Let’s put this to work right away!
Below are some questions you can use to rhetorically analyze the following speech or what we will call a “text.” In this class and others, a “text” refers to anything we caninterpret. A song, a billboard, or a video can be a “text.” The following questions will help you “interpret” or understand the following speech more deeply and and help you explain how the author is trying to persuade us.
Questions to Think about While You Watch
First, think about what stands out to you in the talk.
Next, think about the speaker’s appeal to authority (ethos). Does the speaker have authority, as you experience her? How do her age, gender, ethnicity, gestures, language, style, and tone contribute to or undermine this authority?
What about logic, reasoning and data (logos)? Does the speaker use examples (including stories) to support her points? Does she use data or facts? Are these effective or not? Do you trust any data? Do you find her reasoning sound?
And emotion. Does the author attempt to make the audience feel empathetic? Angry? Sad? Thinking of a specific instance, was this appeal effective?
Last, Kairos. Why is this matter of identity important now? And what is the rhetorical situation, meaning what is significant about the fact that this is a TEDTalk which is broadcast free over the internet? What kind of audience might you expect? How big is the audience? What is the significance of her speaking AT THIS TIME in THIS PLACE?
What choices about style and tone did the speaker make that influenced the persuasiveness of her speech? What are the main effects of these choices?
A Colorful Case for Outside-the-Box Thinking on Identity (06:47)
Olivia Vinckier
5. Complete: A Group Annotation
Now, with the understanding and practice you’ve gained, you’ll rhetorically analyze this speech as a class through group annotation.
To “annotate” is to mark up a text. As a class, we’re going to practice rhetorical analysis by marking up the transcript of Olivia Vinckier’s “A Colorful Case for Outside-the-Box Thinking.” You’ll find the transcript of her video embedded below. Follow the directions you’ll find there and below. You can also click here to find the file online.
Instructions
After viewing the video, read the transcript below.
Choose a sentence that others haven’t and assess whether it appeals to logic (logos), credibility (ethos), emotion (pathos), or kairos (the right time and place for the message).
Highlight the sentence using this color code (if you’re using a screen reader and can’t manipulate the color coding, no worries): Logos
Ethos
Pathos
Kairos
Then, place your cursor over the sentence and select some of it by clicking and holding down your cursor and rolling over a few letters. A comment box will open.
Type your name.
Briefly state and define the type of appeal you’ve identified in the sentence.
Explain how the sentence demonstrates that appeal.
Reply to one other poster. Do you agree with their assessment? Why or why not?
6. The Assignment
What To Do Earn a “Complete”
Complete the reading and viewing in parts 1-4, above.
Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical appeals by completing part 5, a group annotation.
Be sure to start with your name when you comment.
Where is the Rubric, So I Can Review My Work before Submitting?
GREAT question! Look for the three dots at the upper right of the page and click “Show Rubric.”
To Submit
Complete the group annotation, above.
Time to Celebrate!
Student Learning Goals You’re Working On!
You’re analyzing the arguments and the ways a speaker advances their claims (by appealing to our emotions, logic, respect for their authority, and their ability to find the right time and place for their message).
You are Cultivating Genius!
Identity: The video may help you think about your identity in new or maybe slightly expanded ways. Yes!
Intellect: You’re learning about the techniques you and others you to convince people of your ideas by using logos (logic), ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and kairos (delivering the message where and when it’s needed).
Criticality: You’re practicing interpreting what authors are not only saying (their key points) but doing with their words (the techniques they are using to convince you).
Skills: You’re warming up your skills of analysis that you practice naturally every day.
You are Cultivating Healthy Writing Habits of Mind –
by being curious and open-minded.
by relaxing you when you write, recognizing that youcommunicate clearly with others every day of your life. This is another step.
by realizing that your audience has confidence in you and wants to learn from you. This is legit. Breathe it in. Guide them/us carefully.
by setting yourself up for success – making notes while you watch the talk to help you with your analysis.