Chase Atkins

ENG 102

Readings for Rhetorical Proofs

September 18, 2017

1. Using emotions to build bridges, I find this element rather appealing because there are

many ways this can affect peoples thoughts on a person. Sometimes it is important to use

emotion to draw in and easily influence the reader to understand where one is coming

from. But readers dont always trust a speaker that just applies emotion the reader wants

to be assured that the speaker knows what he is talking about. I find that using emotion to

build bridges is important in certain aspects of speaking but also comes with great risk.

When I think emotion should be used to earn trust while speaking is during the beginning

of the speech so it allows the reader to connect immediately. This allows the reader to

understand where the speaker is coming from and at the same time the speaker cant

carry the emotion to long so that the speaker loses interest and possibly distrust the

speaker.

2. Using humor, it is important to lighten up the mood when speaking or writing with using

humor. But too much humor can hurt you in essence with is the speaker necessarily

taking the speech seriously. Too little humor might imply that the speaker isnt confident

with their work or is too stressed and isnt quite prepared for the speech. You can slide

humor to put the reader at ease and I find this important to get the reader to be more

susceptible to your proposal. Humor also gives a sense of relation for the reader to the

speaker which will benefit the speakers reasoning.

3. Using arguments based on emotion, I like what our book has to say about this element.

The book states that it can be a good idea to use emotion in arguments for a persuasive

claim. Id have to agree with this claim because I feel this element can pull the reader to a

side if it emotionally connects with them. The book states ways to use this element as

well as in a persuasive setting. It benefits when showing one view versus another view

which can easily persuade the reader to buy in. You can also use it to evoke empathy,

understanding, outrage, or amusement.

4. I like what our book has to say about thinking critically about arguments based on

character. I think this rhetorical element is important when in an argument and arguments

are always based on trust. The book states three main elements credibility, authority, and

clear motives to add up to ethos. Each element plays a specific role in judging character

one must think critically before stating the wrong facts. I find it interesting that credibility

can be stated from one specifically from their background. We often turn to professionals

to answer our questions about anything. When thinking critically in an argument it is

important to understand and think before you speak on any platform.

5. I like what the book has to say about establishing trustworthiness and credibility.

Trustworthy and credibility speak to a writers honesty and respect for an audience and

its values. For a speaker, it is extremely important to earn the trust from your audience

otherwise they will tune out your message. Earning credibility isnt given it takes time for

your audience to fully understand where the speaker is coming from. Therefore, when

speaking one must establish his or her credibility with facts. Humor can also play a role

in an audience actually listening to you.

6. I like what the book has to say about claiming authority, the book states that as a member

of the audience you have every right to question the speakers authority. When claiming

authority, one must have credibility to prove the worth of their authority. If the speaker

has no experience or no knowledge of the topic they will quickly lose authority. What

does the speaker truly know about the subject? I find it rather important that this element

is applied to every aspect of the ethos concept. How does someone construct authoritative

ethos? Strictly by having an authority to prove they have strong ethos.

7. I like what the book says about coming clean about motives. When people are trying to

convince you of something it is important to ask whose interest are they serving. Is it

their interests or is it in your best interest if so this should clear up speculation about their

motives. I find it important that someone comes clean about their point and cut the chase

and get straight to the point. As in saying who is this benefiting right now because if not

me then I particularly do not want to hear it. There is a sense of trust built immediately

after clarifying ones motives.

8. I like what the book has to say about thinking critically about the hard evidence. When

thinking critically about the hard evidence it is important to know whether the evidence is

worth even saying. Gathering factual information and transmitting it faithfully practically

defining it goes a long way. Even if one may not agree with what is stated they cannot

deny the fact. So, applying facts while speaking helps when giving hard evidence and

will take the stress away from having to look it over critically. Plus, you will be able to

trust what is stated as well as the audience.

9. I appreciate what the book states about statistics, Statistics may be the single most

important aspect when giving anything informative. Giving statistics gives the audience a
 reason to give you their trust. It also gives the audience a reason to say you have solid

credibility depending on if the statistics are correct or not. Numbers need to be

interpreted by the writers and writers almost always have some sort of an agenda.

Statistics can make or break a paper or a speech thats why I find it extremely important

to get it right.

10. I like what the books says about surveys and polls. The book states when verifying the

popularity of an idea or a proposal, surveying and polls provide strong persuasive

appeals. I must agree with this because it states a fact when showing a survey that has

been taken. It also gives the speaker credibility because the audience can easily relate to a

poll or a survey. Surveys also give great information when giving data from a large scale

portion. The date of the poll strongly affects the credibility so make sure it has recency.

11. I like what the book says about using reason and common sense. It is important to use

common sense when you dont have hard facts so you can turn those arguments from

reason to common sense. It is logically easier to follow when giving common sense out

because the audience can relate better. Many have criticized syllogistic reasoning for

being to be limited and others have poked fun at it. Common sense is usually used in

public arguments especially when writers are displaying key elements. Using common

sense must be carefully placed in order for it to used effectively.

12. I like what the book has to say about degree, arguments based on degree are so common

that people barely notice them. Most audiences will readily accept more of a good thing

less than a bad thing. There are specific principles to be used for displaying degree

throughout writing. There has to be a degree of certainty before stating anything

borderline to ensure that no one will take offense. If the speaker can gather a logical
structure the readers can grasp they will then comprehend. An example the book has

given is better conventional war now than a nuclear confrontation later.