Essay on Rhetoric Strategies

Submitted By roxannegracee
Words: 1063
Pages: 5

Discussion topic: What rhetorical strategies are used in these two different (video) rhetorical arguments? How did the creators of these arguments use images, sound, and/or text to influence you? How effective is each argument? Which is the most effective?
What are rhetorical strategies?
Devices in rhetoric that classify the speaker's appeal to the audience. They are: ethos, pathos, and logos.
Ethos – is an appeal to the authority or credibility of the presenter. It is how well the presenter convinces the audience that he or she is qualified to present (speak) on the particular subject. It can be done in many ways:
By being a notable figure in the field in question, such as a college professor or an executive of a company whose business is related to the presenter's topic.
By demonstrating mastery of the argot of the field.
By being introduced by, or producing bona fides from, other established authorities.
Moral competence
Pathos - is an appeal to the audience’s emotions, and the terms pathetic and empathy are derived from it.
Logos - is logical appeal or the simulation of it, and the term logic is derived from it. It is normally used to describe facts and figures that support the speaker's claims or thesis.
Rhetorical Strategies in Onslaught (DOVE VIDEO)
Ethos
Young girl – makes people think of their family
Cute, Happy
Pathos
Music
Images of sexuality, obesity, plastic surgery, diet pills
Young girls at the end – makes people think of their family
Logos
Beauty on the inside campaign from DOVE
Comparing images of unrealistic ideals for body image
HEALTHY = UNHEALTHY
Rhetorical Strategies in Dove Onslaught(er)
Ethos
Young girl
SAD
Pathos
Music
Images of beautiful rainforest and animals then tree cutting and factories and terrible land.
Text that the tree population will be gone by the time Azizal, the young girl, is 25. The leading reason why being because of Dove using it in their products.
Logos
Environment issues
Social issues
What rhetorical strategies are used in these two different (video) rhetorical arguments? How did the creators of these arguments use images, sound, and/or text to influence you? How effective is each argument? Which is the most effective?
In order to determine the rhetorical strategies used in the arguments we need to define what rhetorical strategies are. As thought by Aristotle; the rhetorical strategies are comprised of ethos, pathos and logos. In simpler terms, when using rhetorical strategies you need to be able to build up a moral standing, build an emotional response, and insert logic by using facts to persuade an audience to thinking a certain way.
There are many similarities to the rhetorical arguments but both have a clear direction of their main focus. To start both feature a young girl that builds up a moral standard quickly. The young girl represents innocence and hope. Then both sides introduce the villain. In one case it seems the focus is on body image. The other it is more scaled on environmental issues. Both are serious subjects with any demographic one would assume. Last they insert facts to show their side and persuade the audience into thinking a certain way.
Now let’s break it down by video. The Onslaught video by Dove. In my mind, I tried to imagine it through the young girl’s perspective. It was a lot to take in. Provocative images of women, then it was onto skin creams and lotions. Only moments later it is flashing through plastic surgery images and videos and dieting and fads. That is a side of society that isn’t something I want my child to have to go through. Every person is different and yes it is okay to change or enhance if you choose too but I do not feel like it is something that needs to be pushed on young girls or anyone for that matter. The last little bit of the video was warming because it was a message about talking to young girls about their beauty. In my opinion that speaks a lot about a company. It makes the audience feel like they care about