Overview of Classical Rhetoric & Aristotle’s Rhetorical System Class 3DefinitionsProof & EnthymemesThe Rhetorical SceneThe Rhetorical Triangle Three Kinds of Artistic ProofThree Rhetorical SituationsThe Rhetorical SituationGroup ExerciseRhetorical Building BlocksLogical ProofExample of EnthymemesAnother Meaning of EnthymemeStructure of Aristotle’s RhetoricRhetoric Book IIRhetoric Book II continuedRhetoric Book II continuedRhetoric Book 3The Parts of an OrationTwo Types of EthosEthos: An Example Churchill Before US Congress December 1941Emile Zola’s Defense SpeechEthos: John McCain’s Acceptance SpeechPathos – 2004 “Wolves” Bush AdSatire of 2004 “Wolves” Bush AdGroup Work -- Pathos, Logos, & Ethos in Nixon’s Checkers SpeechOverview of Classical Rhetoric &Aristotle’s Rhetorical SystemClass 3Les PerelmanFigures removed due to copyright restrictions (from several slides).Definitions• Rhetoric is the counterpart of dialectic• Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case all the means of persuasion.Proof & Enthymemes• Infallible signs– Because f=ma, a heavier car will crash with more force than a lighter car.• Fallible signs– Because the applicant went to MIT, she can learn quickly.• What are the complete syllogisms?The Rhetorical SceneThe Rhetorical TriangleThree Kinds of Artistic ProofThree Rhetorical Situations• Forensic– The law court• Deliberative– The assembly or senate•Epideictic – Ceremonial– Nominating speeches– Eulogies– Modern roasts– Award ceremoniesThe Rhetorical SituationKind of Discourse Audience Time Ends (teloi) Means (topoi)Forensic Decision-makersPast The just and the unjust Accusation and defenseDeliberative Decision-makersFuture The expedient and inexpedientPersuasion and dissuasionEpideictic Spectators Present The noble and shameful Praise and blameGroup Exercise• The three settings kairioi of Greek Rhetoric reflected three institutions in which persuasion was important:– The ceremonial occasion– The law court– The deliberative assembly• Form groups of three and list situations in which persuasion is important in 21stCentury AmericaRhetorical Building Blocks• Topoi– Universal– Particular• Figures of Thought• Figures of StyleLogical Proof• The Enthymeme – Two parts of a syllogism with third implied– Probabilistic proof rather than absolutely certainExample of Enthymemes• Mark Anthony’s Speech– He hath brought many captives home to Rome whose ransoms did the general coffers fill. Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? – When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.Another Meaning of Enthymeme• An Enthymeme is a syllogism from premises based on probabilities and signs– A fallible sign is a correlation between two events determined by frequency• Acting dishonestly usually goes with acting secretly, so secrecy can be taken as a sign of the likelihood of dishonesty.• Because Socrates was wise and just, the wise are just– Infallible signs are causally related• People who have a fever are sick• A woman has given birth because she is giving milkStructure of Aristotle’s Rhetoric• Book I– Chaps. 1-2 Introduction– Chapter 3 Three types of rhetoric– Chaps 4-15 Specific Topoi for each of 3 types• Chaps 5-8 Deliberative• Chap 9 Epideictic • Chaps 10-15 Forensic (Legal)Rhetoric Book II– Chap. 1 Topoi for Ethos– Chaps. 2-11 Topoi for Pathos (to produce certain emotions (pathe)• Chap 2 Anger• Chap 3 Gentleness• Chap 4 Hatred & Gentleness• Chap 5 Fear & Confidence• Chap 6 Shame & Shamelessness• Chap 7 Generosity• Chap 8 Pity• Chap 9 Indignation• Chap 10 Envy• Chap 11 EmulationRhetoric Book II continued• Chaps 12-17 Appropriate Topoi for different conditions of life– Chap 12 The Young– Chap 13 The Old– Chap 14 Those in Prime of Life– Chap 15 Aristocrats– Chap 16 The Wealthy– Chap 17 The FortunateRhetoric Book II continued• Chaps 18-26 Dialectical features of rhetoric common to all three types– Chap 18 Introduction– Chap 19 Topoi common to all kinds of discourse• Proving something is possible or impossible• Establishing probability of past fact• Predicting probability of future events• Proving what is more or less– Chap 20 Exemplum Example– Chap 21 Sententia Maxim or proverb– Chap 22 Types of Enthymemes – Chap 23 Typical forms of Enthymemes (Figures of Thought)– Chap 24 Fallacious Enthymemes– Chaps 25-26 Refutation of EnthymemesRhetoric Book 3– Chaps 1-12 Style• Chap 1 Introduction• Chap 2 General qualities of style are clarity, appropriateness &metaphors• Chap 3 Flaws of style• Chap 4 Simile• Chap 5 Grammatical correctness• Chap 6 Elaboration and Conciseness • Chap 7 Appropriateness• Chap 8 Prose rhythm• Chap 9 Periodic style• Chap 10-11 Visualization – Description• Chap 12 Differences in styles for different types; difference between oral & written– Chaps 13-19 ArrangementThe Parts of an Oration• Aristotle– Proem or Prologue– Statement–Proof– Cross examination– Epilogue• Cicero (Legal)– Introduction– Statement of facts– Division–Proof– Refutation– ConclusionTwo Types of Ethos• Aristotle’s artistic ethos that is created within the speech – e. g. humility, frankness, etc.• Other rhetoricians also consider external ethos– The qualifications and experiences of the speakerEthos: An Example Churchill Before US Congress December 1941By the way, I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British, instead of the other way round, I might have got here on my own. In that case, this would not have been the first time you would have heard my voice. In that case I should not have needed any invitation, but if I had, it is hardly likely it would have been unanimous. So perhaps things are better as they are.Emile Zola’s Defense SpeechEthos: John McCain’s Acceptance SpeechPathos – 2004 “Wolves” Bush Ad• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU4t9O_yFsYSatire of 2004 “Wolves” Bush Ad• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjgOKx-Qq1I&feature=relatedGroup Work -- Pathos, Logos, & Ethos in Nixon’s Checkers Speech• 1 Group Pathos• 1 Group Ethos• 1 Group LogoMIT OpenCourseWarehttp://ocw.mit.edu 21W.747 Classical Rhetoric and Modern Political DiscourseFall 2009For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: