RHETORICAL TECHNIQUE CHART
Rhetorical Technique / Example / Effect on reader – why it is usedLOGICAL / Cause and effect
Specific actions lead to desirable or understandable outcomes – may have occurred, are occurring or will occur in the future; may also explain that lack of action means good outcomes won’t happen. / “Exposure to television violence is leading to a generation of young people who are traumatized and desensitised.”
“If young people are not allowed to watch what they want, they will never learn to choose wisely.” / · Engages the logical and reasoning ability of the reader.
Comparison
One group, object, person or situation is compared to another EITHER to emphasise differences or similarities. / Men’s sport attracts millions of dollars in sponsorship and promotion, while women’s sport is virtually ignored. Yet every week, netball involves more people as participants and spectators than any other sport. Imagine how much money sponsors and broadcasters could make if they bothered to develop this unrealized support base. / · Engages logical and reasoning ability of the reader.
Evidence & Examples
Statistics – the results of expert research, hard evidence.
Case studies.
Descriptions of examples to support argument. / “A University of Adelaide survey has reported that 96% of young women want to establish themselves in a career before having children.” / · Provides clear, impressive support.
· Readers are likely to regard evidence and examples as unbiased.
Rebuttal
Using logical arguments to show the flaws and weaknesses in the opposite point of view. / “Censorship is meant to protect the young from the ugly and brutal aspects of life. Clearly, however, young people need protecting from the censors who would keep them ignorant.” / · Undermines counter-arguments without being nasty.
· Appears writer is being reasonable and considering both sides.
Definitions or Generalisations
Simple, strong statements that present opinions as facts. / “Life is brief and cruel.” / · Presents opinions as facts.
· Hard to tell it is an opinion and so is difficult to argue against.
Rhetorical Technique / Example / Effect on reader – why it is used
Emotional / Self-interest
Plays into the audience need to look after themselves / “This is another great big new tax that will put a hole in the pockets of mums and dads around Australia…in your hip pocket!” / · Validates reader’s need to feel secure and look after ourselves – they don’t have to feel that they are being selfish for thinking of themselves.
Humour (Ridicule, Irony, Satire)
Mocks the opposite view. / “The new dog playground should’ve been announced a day later – 1st April!” / · Encourages reader to laugh at the opponent.
· Can emphasise the seriousness of the issue.
Adversial Rhetoric (Who is out?)
Group Loyalty (Who is in?)
Sets up divisions between groups.
Uses language like “us” and “we” versus “them” or “others”. / “Those who oppose the plan are simply un-Australian.”
“We cyclists understand that it is the motorists who are the danger.” / · Encourages reader to side in the writer’s group.]
· Excludes and discounts other people.
· Makes people feel OK about being mean because they are just protecting their own group.
Personal Attack
Giving a negative view of the actual person involved rather than their ideas (ie. getting personal). / “The Mayor, through failure to act, is proving to be unfit for his position.” / · Plays upon human nature to be mean and demonise other humans.
Emotive Connotations
Using words and phrases that evoke the deep feelings of the readers; joy, fear, hatred, pity, etc. / “Think of the millions wasted on the redevelopment of Rundle Mall while thousands of South Australian children face poverty each day.” / · Engages feelings of reader, rather than thought or logic.
Testimonial or Anecdotal Evidence
Using personal stories or other’s stories as real life evidence. / “I have a small dog that I walk daily and I have been attacked, knocked over, and badly bruised several times. Irresponsible dog owners should be punished, not the dogs!” / · First-hand experience gives the writer credibility.
Rhetorical Technique / Example / Effect on reader – why it is used
Appeals to Ideas / Patriotism & Nationalism
Appealing to the audience’s national identity as the driving force behind their actions and beliefs. / “True Australians are happy to receive refugees. Australia is a nation built by refugees from many countries.”
“Keep Australia for real Australians; shoot anyone who tries to jump the queue and get here illegally!” / · Encourages a group identity.
· People who disagree can easily be labeled ‘un-Australian’.
· Know your audience - A disadvantage is that you may put off people who believe national identity is based on a range of beliefs and opinions.
Progress
Appealing to the audience’s need to know that things are getting better. / “It is sad to lose a historic building but the community must leap into the future and keep up with international standards.” / · People are attracted to the idea that things are improving.
· Humans like to believe they are in control of their destiny.
History & Tradition
Using evidence from history, shared beliefs and customs to support an argument. / “Boxing has been around too long to be banned.”
“Just remember that slavery, whaling and child labour were once legal. We should now follow history’s lesson and prohibit boxing!” / · People may not be willing to change something that has existed for a long time.
· People want to learn from history.
Authority
Appealing to experts, well-known figures, religious hierarchies, government, God, etc. / “Psychologists, such as Dr Pam, state that television is damaging young minds.”
“According to research by Sydney University, there is no link between videos and violence.” / · Give credibility to the argument.
· Give the reader material that is more likely to be accepted because it is not just the writer’s opinion.
Values which may not easily be questioned
Eg. common sense, justice, decency, freedom, human rights, nature, family values & morality / “Sensible people know that reading books should come before computers.”
“It is immoral to build a theme park for rich kids when we have homeless children on the street.” / · Most readers wish to be thought of as sensible, decent and moral.
Rhetorical Technique / Example / Effect on reader – why it is used
Persuasive Language / Poetic Techniques
Paint a picture with words.
Eg. similes, metaphors, alliteration, analogies, imagery / “Logging is creating a smouldering air-polluting wasteland.”
“Boxing is on the ropes. The gloves are off as the two camps trade right jabs.”
“You can’t ban racing. The horse has bolted.” / · Readers visualise the problem through the words.
· People are more likely to support an argument that appeals to their imagination or everyday experiences.
Exaggeration (or hyperbole)
Using overstatement. / “Rugby league’s pot bellied meatloafs with 10 thumbs plod towards each other in gangs - to thump, gouge and maul - all for a few centimetres of turf.” / · Over the top, colourful language creates humour.
· Disadvantage: may be discounted as offensive or unnecessary.
Rhetorical Questions
Using a question to which there is only one reasonable answer (or no answer is needed). / “Do we allow dangerous dogs to roam the streets?”
“Is there not a risk in all contact sports?” / · Invites and challenges the readers to participate in the argument.
· Implies the reader could not possibly agree.
Repetition
Repeating specific words, phrases, arguments, ideas, images, evidence, etc. / “The cost of the high salinity of water will be devastating: the cost to farmers; the cost to our economy; the cost to our nation’s future.” / · Emphasis upon key words and arguments helps readers remember them
· Links sections of your argument.
Pun
Also known as a “play on words” or “double entendre”.
Intentionally using words that have a double meaning - often leading to humour. / “I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.”
Police were called to daycare where a three-year old was resisting a rest. / · You have to be clever to write a pun and understand it. Puns build a sense of camaraderie.
· Makes the issue more memorable.