The rhetorical triangle is a good way to form a solid structure for an argument or public speaking in general. There are three parts to the rhetorical triangle logos, ethos and pathos. I like to compare the rhetorical triangle to a preacher at a church; there is a speaker (preacher), audience (parish), and message (gospel). I guess some people might look at this as an argument its also a form of public speaking, It also could be viewed as way of life a belief, this would start with a message it would contain logical appeal , reason , consistency and something to draw the audience in. I guess there wouldn’t be too much convincing in a church because if people didn’t want to hear or receive a message but say you where new to the parish and the speaker wanted you to continue to attend every Sunday or was trying to get you to come to bible study, his argument or discussion would have to draw you in. The speaker would then have to be aware of the audience he is speaking to younger crowd, older crowd, troubled youth etc. The speaker would have to draw the listener in with something that is appealing to the audience it might contain values or interest that people face today (teen pregnancy, drug use, unemployment). I think relating to the audience will make them more receptive to the speakers argument. The rhetorical triangle gives you structure in what you want to put out to an audience, being aware of the crowd you want to get the message to and what you want to say and how to say it. What you can do as a speaker to make people believe you. This is an excellent guide to go by and good structure and order to say something effective to people and make a good point.
Response to Ivory’s Triangle Blog
ReplyDeleteIvory, I found your relation of a preacher’s message to be spot on with the primary objectives of the Rhetorical Triangle. As a matter of fact, your blog itself is a pretty good example of pathos. It would seem to appeal more to those of us that have a heart for preventing teen pregnancy and drug use (hopefully not together), or those of us with a more biblical heart.
I thought of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the blazing furnace when I was trying come up with an analogy (See Daniel Ch 1-3). Of course, the fire is the whole writing arguments process. It just burns to stare at the screen for hours and only have typed my title page. These three guys were so confident in their faith and what they had been taught that the fire didn’t even faze them at all. They stood together like a Super-sized Kit Kat.
-- Ok, the Kit Kat can be broken into pieces and still taste good, but it just looks better all together --
These guys walked around in the fire until they were told to get out. That’s how I strive to be in this writing arguments process.