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This lesson introduces the concept of rhetoric as the art of persuasion and the components of the rhetorical triangle.
Why do some people always seem to get what they want, while others struggle to be heard? It isn't just luck—it is the ancient art of rhetoric.
At its simplest, rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Over 2,000 years ago, the Greek philosopher Aristotle defined it as "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion." In other words, rhetoric is the study of how writers and speakers use language to influence an audience. It is not just about 'empty talk' or 'political spin'; it is a fundamental tool we use every day. Whether you are writing an essay, arguing for a later curfew, or posting on social media, you are using rhetoric to achieve a specific goal. The core of rhetoric is the understanding that how you say something is often just as important as what you are saying.
Quick Check
According to Aristotle, what is the primary goal of rhetoric?
Answer
The primary goal is to identify and use the available means of persuasion in any given situation.
Imagine you want the school to offer more vegetarian options. 1. Speaker: You (a concerned student). 2. Audience: The School Board (the decision-makers). 3. Message: A formal proposal highlighting health benefits and student demand.
Because the audience is formal, the speaker uses professional language to ensure the message is taken seriously.
Quick Check
What are the three components that make up the Rhetorical Triangle?
Answer
The Speaker, the Audience, and the Message.
The Rhetorical Triangle is not static; it is dynamic. This means the components constantly influence one another. The Speaker must analyze the Audience's beliefs, values, and knowledge level before crafting the Message. This analysis is often called the rhetorical situation. If a speaker ignores the audience's perspective, the message will likely fail. For instance, a scientist (Speaker) explaining climate change (Message) would use different vocabulary for a group of 2nd graders than they would for a group of university professors (Audience). The goal is to find the 'sweet spot' where the message resonates perfectly with the intended listeners.
A tech company is launching a new smartphone. 1. Scenario A: The audience is 'Tech Enthusiasts.' The message focuses on processor speed () and RAM (). 2. Scenario B: The audience is 'Grandparents.' The message focuses on ease of use and the ability to video call family members.
Even though the Speaker (the company) and the product are the same, the Message changes completely based on the Audience.
Consider Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 'I Have a Dream' speech. 1. Speaker: A civil rights leader with moral authority. 2. Audience: Both the 250,000 people at the March on Washington and the millions watching on TV (including skeptical politicians). 3. Message: A call for racial equality using religious and patriotic imagery.
Dr. King chose specific metaphors (the 'promissory note') because he knew his audience valued the Constitution and the Bible. This alignment made his persuasion powerful.
Which philosopher is most famously associated with the definition of rhetoric?
If a speaker changes their tone because they are moving from a casual setting to a formal one, which part of the triangle are they primarily responding to?
The three elements of the rhetorical triangle function independently and do not affect one another.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to sketch the rhetorical triangle from memory and label the three corners. Can you remember the 'formula' for effectiveness?
Practice Activity
Watch a 30-second commercial today. Identify the Speaker (who created it?), the Audience (who are they trying to sell to?), and the Message (what is the main point?).