Spcm 201 1st Edition Lecture 8Current LectureTopoi“Topics”/”Places (to go)”Places to go to make your argumentPre-existing arguments that a rhetor can deploy in any case If rhetoric is the art of finding the available means of persuasion, topoi are what rhetors are in search of…Kinds of Topoi Specific TopoiArguments to go in very specific situations or with very specific audiences -On specific subject matter (physics or religion) -For specific kinds of speeches (deliberative, forensic, etc.)Common TopoiArguments that work in wide sets of situations before broad kinds of audiences-Very general starting points-More advanced arguments would be inspired from them-Gives rhetoric flexibility There is no firm divide between the two—much overlap occurs!Examples of Specific Topoi The Topoi of Youth How do you appeal to young people? “It is the sexual by which they are most swayed”- Make your argument sexual Impulsive Fiery but short lived opinions Love victory and superiority Money means little to them Trust others more Optimistic and forward looking The Topoi of the Old How do you appeal to older people? Cautious and hesitant Cynical and distrustful Small minded Value money and security Prioritize utility over nobility or courage These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Nostalgia (looking backwards) Examples of Common Topoi Common Topoi THESIS: Human beings should land a person on Mars by the year 2030 Is it possible/impossible? Past fact/future fact? Greatness/smallness?Enthymemes VS. Syllogism Syllogism Three parts Looks a lot like a math problem Evidence + evidence = result Two states put together and get your answer Example: Socrates is a man (first claim) All men are mortal (second claim) Socrates is mortal (conclusion) Set up so it cannot be argued Claims are based upon universal truth Clear major premise Clear minor premise Clear conclusion Works by straightforwardly and logically laying out all information Enthymeme Three parts Example: A war against ISIS will be like Vietnam (first claim) Vietnam was a quagmire (second claim) A war against ISIS will be a quagmire (conclusion) Claims are based upon contingent truth or common sense Argument with very particular thought Location, audience, etc. Socrates likes to leaves one claim unsaid Only need to state one claim and the conclusion, the audience will fill in the gap- Audience has participated in the persuasion act Need to know your audience for this system - Matching your arguments to the minds of your audience - Rhetoric is all about getting your audience to believe by matching your claim to their thought One premise clearly stated One premise unspoken A clear conclusion Works by relying on the common beliefs of the audiences to full in the blamks and participate in their own persuasion The Aristotelian LegacyLiterally writes the book On RhetoricAnswers Plato’s call for a TRUE art or rhetoricYet reifies certain earlier concepts that had been attackedSystematizes rhetoric Organizes his book-Chapters, sections, etc.Of the many instructors of rhetoric, we know so fewAlexander The GreatNot GreekKing of Macedonia—north of GreeceRich Father hired Aristotle to be teacherFirst great conqueror of that time Established schoolsWith books from Plato, Socrates,
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