Rhetoric

From RationalWiki

Rhetoric is the art of communcation based in Greek antiquity, of oral and written communcation, usually associated with persuasion and/or argument.

There are three rhetorical appeals in classical rhetoric:^[1][2]

• ethos: an appeal to character, credibility or authority
• pathos: an appeal to emotion or identitiy
• logos: an appeal to logic

While Aristotle (and, in fact most rational folks) use logos, in fact all three can be effective at persuasion. It should also be noted that logical fallacies can be employed effectively in a persuasive piece or argument, as long as the opposition does not "catch" it.

[edit] Rhetoric at CP

While rhetoric of the pathetic kind is often used by the evil rulers of CP, blunt force in the form of wholesale reversion and banning is the preferred method of "winning" a debate.

See also: Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs [1]

1. ↑ http://w.faculty.umkc.edu/williamsgh/dialogues/225.rhetorical.appeals.html
2. ↑ http://courses.durhamtech.edu/perkins/aris.html

S T U B (The Pet Goat ate it)