What Is Rhetoric? Definition, Examples, and Importance

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion through communication. It is a form of discourse that appeals to people’s emotions and logic to motivate or inform. The word “rhetoric” comes from the Latin “rhetorica,” which comes from the Greek “rhetorikos,” meaning “oratory.”

In Ancient Greece, oration, or public speaking, was the primary use of rhetoric, but today, there are many written examples of rhetoric.

Rhetoric is important because it is the use of language to persuade others, resolve conflict, and reach a particular audience. Whether you’re giving a political speech, arguing in court, writing an academic essay, or pitching a new product or idea, knowing the basics of rhetoric can help you get your point across. It can also help you identify the tools other rhetoricians use, so that you can debate or emulate them.

The study of rhetoric developed alongside democracy in fifth-century Athens. As ancient Greeks began to run for office, they used political rhetoric in their speeches to win votes. As the court system grew, so did the need for lawyers and persuasive speech.

In the fourth century B.C., the Greek philosopher Aristotle defined rhetoric as the “ability to discover the available means of persuasion” in The Art of Rhetoric. (Plato, Aristotle’s mentor, was skeptical of his protégé’s practical, real-world application of rhetoric, viewing it as a superficial, deceptive method of communication.) In the first century B.C., Cicero, a Roman lawyer and philosopher, expanded on the definition of rhetoric, interpreting it as a form of dramatic performance.

Aristotle outlined three types of rhetoric, or modes of persuasion, that can shape words into effective rhetoric. Each appeals to a different part of the human psyche to influence.

1. 1. Logos: This argument appeals to logic and reason. It relies on the content of the message, including data and facts, to support its claims. Harper Lee uses logos in the courtroom scenes in To Kill a Mockingbird. To persuade a jury that the right-handed Tom Robinson is innocent, Atticus Finch shows evidence that proves the culprit had to be left-handed, excluding Robinson as a suspect. Learn more about logos.
2. 2. Ethos: This element of rhetoric relies on the reputation of the person delivering the message. The writer or speaker must be a notable person or known authority on the subject matter. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the narrator, Nick Carraway, establishes his credibility as an objective insider to gain the reader’s trust. Learn more about ethos.
3. 3. Pathos: This mode establishes an emotional connection with the audience. Advertisements often tug on heartstrings to influence people to buy a product or service. Pathos is also used in literature to encourage readers to invest in a story. Learn more about pathos.

There are a number of stylistic techniques and literary devices writers use to create a rhetorical effect and convey a point of view. Rhetorical devices are the tools used to manipulate language to construct arguments. Examples include:

1. 1. Rhetorical questions: A rhetorical question emphasizes a point by posing a question without expecting an answer. For example, “Do birds fly?” is a rhetorical question implying, “Isn’t it obvious?”
2. 2. Hyperbole: Hyperbole exaggerates claims to prove a point and make an impression on an audience. Former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used hyperbole when he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
3. 3. Chiasmus: This is a figure of speech that rearranges the normal order of words. A good example is former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s famous line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Learn more about chiasmus.
4. 4. Eutrepismus: This commands authority and clarity by presenting an argument through a numbered list of facts or points.

3 Examples of Rhetoric in Literature and Speeches
A rhetorical analysis is an analysis of which rhetorical modes and devices an author uses to make their rhetorical appeal. Here is an example using classic speeches and literature:

1. 1. “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr.: On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave an impassioned speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He implored people to end racial discrimination using figurative language and the rhetorical device anaphora, which emphasizes a point through repetition.
2. 2. “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln: In 1863, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, delivered the Gettysburg Address during the Civil War. Lincoln’s goal was to boost the country’s morale, honor fallen soldiers, and reinvigorate their mission to abolish slavery by declaring “that all men are created equal.” Incorporating ethos, logo, and pathos to make his case, the Gettysburg Address became one of the most powerful speeches in history.
3. 3. Richard III by William Shakespeare: Military commanders often use rhetoric to motivate troops. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, the king gives his soldiers a speech on the eve of battle in which he calls his enemies “vagabonds” and their leader, Henry Tudor, a “bloody tyrant.” In this speech, Richard uses rhetorical devices like hyperbole to excite his men for war.

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