Rhetoric Cheat Sheet
by Jorge Juan (jorgejuan007) via cheatography.com/35958/cs/11448/
Definition
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, wherein a writer or speaker strives to
inform, persuade or motivate particular audien ces in specific situat‐
ions.
Best known definition comes from Aristotle, wh o considers it a
counterpart of both logic and politics, and calls it t he faculty of
observing in any given case the available mean s of persua
sion
Source: Wikipedia
Aristotle's Rhetoric
Proof Types
Logos The use of reasoning, either inductive or deduct ive, to
construct an argument
Pathos The use of emotional appeals to alter the audien ce's
judgment through metaphor, amplification, storytelling, or
presenting the topic in a way that evokes strong e motions
in the audience
Ethos How the character and credibility of a speaker c an
influence an audience to consider him/her to be believ‐
able—there being three qualities that contribute to a
credible ethos: perceived intelligence, virtuous c haracter,
and goodwill
Steps
Invention
Arrangement
Style
Types or Genres
Forensic AKA judicial, was concerned with determining the truth or
falseness of events that took place in the past and issues
of guilt. An example of forensic rhetoric would b e in a
courtroom
Delibe‐
rative
AKA political, was concerned with determining whether or
not particular actions should or should not be tak en in the
future. Making laws would be an example of de liberative
rhetoric
Aristotle's Rhetoric (cont)
Epideictic AKA ceremonial, was concerned with pra ise and blame,
values, right and wrong, demonstrating beauty a nd skill
in the present. Examples of epideictic rhetoric w ould
include a eulogy or a wedding toast
AKA=Also Known As.
Aristotle view Rhetoric as counte
rpart of Dialectic. As a human art or
skill (techne) Dialectic involves persua
sion
Five Classical Canons of Rhetoric
Invention The process of developing arguments
Style Determining how to present the arguments
Arrangement Organizing the argum ents for extreme effect
Delivery Gestures, pronunciation, tone and pace used when
presenting the persuasive arguments
Memory Process of learning and memorizing the speec h and
persuasive messages
The Five Canons of Rhetoric serve as a guide to creating persuasive
messages and arguments
Canon of Attic Orators (Classical Age)
Aeschines 389–314 BC
Andocides 440–390 BC
Antiphon 480–411 BC
Demost‐
henes
384–12 October 322 BC
Learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of pre vious
great orators
Dinarchus 361–291 BC
By Jorge Juan (jorgejuan007)
cheatography.com/jorgejuan007/
Published 14th April, 2017.
Last updated 14th April, 2017.
Page 1 of 2.
Sponsored by Readable.com
Measure your website readability!
https://readable.com
Tailored his style to be very audience-specific. Not relying on
attractive words but simple, effective prose. He used clauses to
create patterns that would make seemingly complex sentences
easy for the hearer to follow. His tendency to focus o n delivery
promoted him to use repetition, this would ingrain the im portance
into the audience’s minds; he also relied on speed and delay to
create suspense and interest among the audience when presenting
to most important aspects of his speech. One of his most effective
skills was his ability to strike a balance: his works wer e complex so
that the audience would not be offended by any elementary
language, but the most important parts were clear and easily
understood
