Argument and Rhetoric

the speaker or writer's general topic or content

• occasion

• audience

• purpose

• subject

the speaker's intention / ultimate goal

• occasion

• audience

• purpose

• speaker

using language, reason, and evidence to influence the thoughts and behaviors of others

• claim

• rhetorical triangle

• rhetoric

• argument

the position taken by the person making the argument; what a person is trying to prove

• claim

• rhetorical triangle

• rhetoric

• argument

Does a claim have to be arguable?

• Yes

• No

the context in which an argument exists that directly influences not only what is presented by also how it is presented

• evidence

• rhetorical situation

• bias

• rhetoric

the circumstances that gave rise to the argument

• evidence

• subject

• rhetorical triangle

• occasion

the HOW of an argument; the strategies we use to make an argument persuasive

• rhetoric

• argument

• audience

• concession

ALL of the following are examples of evidence EXCEPT

• personal bias and opinions

• personal experiences and anecdotes

• research and expert opinion

• statistics and data

The rhetorical triangle is when you consider the interaction of three elements when forming the content of your argument. Which of the following is NOT one of these influential elements?

• audience

• occasion

• speaker

• subject