36 Applying Rhetorical Techniques to Our Solution

We have done a lot of work this semester analyzing rhetorical techniques in others’ pieces and even integrated them in our own work in the multimodal essay. We will do a similar application of rhetorical techniques in the proposing a solution paper to help bolster our chosen solution. In doing so, we are intentionally making our argument more compelling to our audience through the use of emotion-based evidence, authority, and logical reasoning.

PATHOS

Questioner: Why should we care about how people feel about this issue or your solution?

Now you respond with one of these frames OR a response that seeks out the human/empathetic/ compassionate experience:

Let me tell you about _______’s experience.

Let me briefly share ________’s story.

People/individuals feel . . .

We should care about/care that . . .

It’s the right/moral thing to do to . . .

ETHOS

Questioner: What gives you the authority to have this opinion or the credibility to endorse your solution?

Now you respond with one of these frames OR a response that seeks to build trust/credibility:

My own experience with this is _________.

___________, an expert in _______, says”

According to ___________, an authority in _______, . . .

A lot of/the majority of people/individuals think . . .

Legally/ethically it’s the right thing to do because . . .

LOGOS

Questioner: What gives you the logic or evidence to have this opinion or promote your solution?

Now you respond with one of these frames OR a response that presents rational support:

The numbers prove that _______.

The data is showing that ________.

One research study determined that ___________.

It’s only logical that _____________.

It just makes sense that __________.