Rhetorical Strategies, Essay Example

There is a likelihood that you have been confused by a writer or a speaker’s message at some point in life. Whether it was a friend, a supervisor, or a professor, there is a likelihood that one has been persuaded in communication mainly depend on deductive or inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning has a specific which represents facts and then makes conclusions or generalizations. It must come from a large amount of trusted evidence. Generally, this means that the drawn facts must be representative of the larger population or problem.  Deductive reasoning starts with the generalization then applies this to a specific case. The generalization must be based on an ample amount of reliable evidence or a professional way. The persuasion skills are a representation of firm leadership potential and interpersonal skills. The majority of the persuasive writers and speakers and writers utilize persuasive strategies that help them attain success. To define the term, rhetorical strategies are the methods used through wording when communicating, which persuade or encourage others. It can be utilized both in written and spoken media, which help manage the listeners’ and readers’ views. These devices are mainly used during political, motivational, or educational speakers when leading a group to act in a particular way. It is also a robust tool that is used during debates. These strategies help in strengthening written communications and enhance the understandability of the readers. The article has analyzed the effectiveness of speech using rhetorical strategies. It has stated the various rhetorical strategies that exist and some of their examples. These strategies are essential as they help in achieving the primary purpose of writing.

My position in this article is to illustrate how rhetorical strategies are useful in both communication and writing. To do so, I will use two rhetorical writing devices. The two devices I have used are logos and Ethos. These devices have helped in supporting my claim, which is the use to illustrate how rhetorical strategies are essential both in communication and writing.

We will use two different rhetorical appeals help support claims and respond to oppositional arguments. Excellent and compelling arguments comprise a combination of the below-stated appeals. The first appeal is logos. It is known as the appeal to reason. They mainly depend on deductive or inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning has a specific which represents facts and then makes conclusions or generalizations. It should be based on reliable evidence. Generally, this means that the drawn points must be representative of the larger population or problem.  Deductive reasoning starts with the generalization then applies this to a specific case. The generalization must be based on an ample amount of reliable evidence.

It is also a requirement that one should avoid rhetorical fallacies. These are common errors that arise when reasoning, which diminishes your argument’s logic. It is essential to observe several of these slips which are present in other people’s opinions. An example is a slippery slope. It is a conclusion that depends on on-premises. For instance, we can say that if A takes place, then it is evident from a series comprising of small steps that B, C, D……X, Y, Z will also happen. This equates A and Z. This means that if we don’t want Z, we have to eliminate A’s occurrence.

Another case is a hasty generalization. It can be defined as a conclusion based on biased or ample evidence. This means that you are fast to conclude all the essential facts are available. For example, you can say that though it is the first day, I can predict that this course will be boring. The speaker of these words is making assumptions about how the course will be in the first and first classes. The speaker concludes that the entire course will be boring. For the speaker to make such a conclusion, he/ she has to attend several classes, talk to the professor, examine the textbooks or even talk to others who have previously completed the same course. This will give the speaker sufficient evidence to make a reliable conclusion regarding the course.

Another aspect in the first element of rhetorical precis, logos, is post hoc ergo propter hoc. It can be defined as a conclusion based on an assumption that if element A occurred after element B, then B must be the reason why A occurred. For example, someone can say that they fell sick after they drank a bottle of water. Therefore, the person can conclude that the water made the fall sick. The author assumes that the first event causes the second event if two events chronologically follow each other. However, the illness might not have been caused by the bottle of water. Maybe there was a flu that had previously been developing in the body and coincidentally became active after consuming the bottle of water. We can not conclude this without sufficient evidence and assume that the water bottle caused the flu.

Another concept is a genetic fallacy. This is a conclusion based on arguments which state that the origin of an idea, a person, or a theory is the determinant of its nature, worth, or character. For example, the belief that the Volkswagen car is evil because it originated from Hitler’s army. Others include Red Herring, Ad populum, etc.

The second element of rhetorical appeal is Ethos. These are the credibility, character, or the writer’s reliability. There are several ways that an author can generate credibility. one way is by using reliable and credible sources only in building your argument and also make proper citations to the arguments. A character can also be established by respecting the reader through an accurate statement of the opposing position. It is also essential to establish a similar ground to your audience. In most cases, acknowledging the beliefs and values shared by both parties in the argument can be done. The credibility of an author can also be achieved by proofreading an argument. Many grammar mistakes bring doubts about the writer’s ability.

In conclusion, rhetorical strategies are the methods used through wording when communicating, persuading, or encouraging others. It can be utilized both in written and spoken media, which help manage the listener’s and readers’ views. These devices are mainly used during political, motivational, or educational speakers when leading a group to act in a particular way. It is also a strong tool that is used during debates. These strategies help in strengthening written communications and enhance the understandability of the readers. The two used elements of rhetorical strategies are Logos and Ethos. Ethos are the credibility, character, or the writer’s reliability. Logos mainly depend on deductive or inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning has a specific which represents facts and then makes conclusions or generalizations. It must be based on a large amount of reliable evidence. Generally, this means that the drawn facts must be representative of the larger population or problem.  Deductive reasoning starts with the generalization then applies this to a specific case. The generalization must be based on an ample amount of reliable evidence.

Work Cited

By Chris Kolmar – Nov. 20, 2020What Are Rhetorical Strategies? (With Examples)