Everyday Use Chapter 2 Summary Canons of Rhetoric: Invention Arrangement Style Memory Delivery

Everyday UseChapter 2 Summary

Canons of Rhetoric:•Invention•Arrangement•Style•Memory•Delivery


Rhetoric at Work: Context and the three appealsText always has a contextText uses appeals to convey information and to influence thinking.Logos: “embodied thought”Ethos: “good-willed credibility”Pathos: “feelings (sympathy and empathy)”


Rhetoric at Work: Context and the three appealsCanons suggest strategies to be used in making appeals.Invention: generate material that is clear, forceful, convincing, and emotionally appealing

Arrangement, Style, Delivery: put material into structures, patterns, and formats that are understandable; help reader see you as credible

Memory: tap into memories and cultural associations; show the reader you are one of them


InventionLatin “invenire” – to findConducting an inventory:

readers “take inventory” of what is presentedwriters “take inventory” of what is available and put together text


Invention Strategy #1: Journalist’s Questions1.Who was involved?2.What happened?3.When did it happen?4.Where did it happen?5.Why did it happen?6.How did it happen?

Look beyond the text for larger issues and significance of the eventsActivity on page 38


Consider the following:“For developing a concept of securing small loans to new businesses in developing countries, the Bangladeshi economist Mohammed Yunus yesterday was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.”

Given this lead, what details is the news story that follows obligated to unpack for readers?


Invention Strategy #1: Journalist’s Questions1.Who was involved?2.What happened?3.When did it happen?4.Where did it happen?5.Why did it happen?6.How did it happen?

Look beyond the text for larger issues and significance of the eventsActivity on page 38


Invention Strategy #2: EnthymemePeople usually write about issues with multiple viewpoints.

Argument: a carefully constructed, well-supported representation of one perspective.

Enthymeme: a logical argument with an unstated premise.


Invention Strategy #2: EnthymemeSyllogism: two premises and a conclusion

Major premise = generalizationMinor premise = particularConclusion follows logically

A syllogism is airtight if the premises are true


Invention Strategy #2: EnthymemeSyllogism examples:

All humans are mortalSocrates was humanTherefore, Socrates was mortal

Women are wiseKate is a womanTherefore, Kate is wise

Everyday UseChapter 2 Summary (additional material)

Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Deduction: true premises = true conclusions.

Proper deduction = a valid ( but not necessarily true) argument.

Conclusion does not go beyond the premises.

Deduction offers effective organization


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Modus PonensIf p, then q.p.Therefore q.

Example:If optimists are more likely to succeed than pessimists, then you should be an optimist.Optimists are more likely to succeed.Therefore, you should be an optimist.

Be sure to explain and defend premises.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Modus TollensIf p, then q.Not q.Therefore not p.

Example:If the visitor was a stranger, then the dog would have barked.The dog did not bark.Therefore, the visitor was not a stranger.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms) Hypothetical SyllogismIf p, then q.If q, then r.Therefore if p, then r.

Example:If you study other cultures, then you realize the variety of

human customs.If you realize the variety of human customs, then you question your own customs.Therefore, if you study other cultures, then you question

your own customs.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms) Disjunctive Syllogismp or q.Not p.Therefore q.“or” can be inclusive or exclusive

Example:Either we hope for progress by improving morals, or we hope for progress by improving intelligence.We can’t hope for progress by improving morals.Therefore, we must hope for improvement by improving

intelligence.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Dilemmap or q.If p, then r.If q, then s.Therefore r or s.

Two options, both have equally good or bad consequences.Example:

Either we say John’s baptism is from heaven or that it is from men.If we say it is from heaven, we will be blamed for not believing him.If we say it is from men, we will be stoned for insulting the popular belief about him.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Reductio ad absurdum.Indirect ProofTo prove p, assume the opposite (not p).Argue that from this assumption, we’d have to conclude q.Show that q is false or absurd, therefore p can’t be true.


Deductive Arguments (more about Syllogisms)Reductio ad absurdum.

To prove: The world does not have a Creator in the way a house does.

Assume the opposite:The world does have a Creator in the way a house does.

Argue that from the assumption we’d have to conclude:The Creator is imperfect (because the world is imperfect).

But:God (the Creator) cannot be imperfect.

Conclude:The world does not have a Creator in the way a house does.


Invention Strategy #2: EnthymemeEnthymeme vs. Syllogism

the major premise is unstated, but understood and accepted

[Women are wise]Kate is a woman.Of course she gave me good advice.


Invention Strategy #2: EnthymemeBut, what if readers don’t accept major premise?

[All creatures of the earth play a natural role in maintaining the ecological stability of an area]

Animals such as… contribute to the ecological stability of an area near rural property by feeding on vegetation and smaller animalsAnimals such as…, as creatures of the earth, deserve a stable ecological habitat in which to live, as humans do.

Begging the Question – writer must convince the readerActivity on page 46


Enthymeme Exercises“Mark’d ye his words? He would not take the crown. Therefore ‘tis certain he was not ambitious.”

If he were ambitious, then he would take the throne.He did not take the crown.Therefore he is not ambitious.Modus Tollens


Enthymeme Exercises“Because I’m worth it.”

Those who are worth it (being beautiful) use L’Oreal cosmetics.I am worth it.Therefore I use L’Oreal cosmetics.Modus Ponens


Enthymeme Exercises“One of Soviet Georgia’s senior citizens thought Dannon was an excellent yogurt. She ought to know. She’s been eating yogurt for 137 years.”

Soviet Georgia’s senior citizens eat excellent yogurt.This senior citizen has been eating Dannon yogurt for 137

years.Therefore, Dannon yogurt is excellent yogurt.Modus Ponens


Enthymeme Exercises“This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”

If drugs are like a frying pan, then your brain is like an egg.If your brain is like an egg, then doing drugs is like frying an egg.Therefore doing drugs fries your brain like a frying pan fries an egg.

Hypothetical syllogism


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsBasic Topics:1.Possible & Impossible: if x is possible, so is y; if x is impossible, so is y.2.Past Fact: given all known facts, x probably happened3.Future Fact: given all known facts, x will probably happen4.Greater & Less: if x is possible, so is greater than x; if y is possible, so is less than y

Activity on pages 50-51


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsPossible & Impossible:Since the scientific community has found cures for diseases that were once thought to be a death sentence for the victim (such as typhoid, diphtheria, or polio), it’s possible that they will one day find a cure for cancer.

Since extreme geographical regions of our planet (such as the polar ice caps or barren deserts) show little ability to support life, it’s improbable that we will find life on other planets that also have extreme physical conditions.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsPast Fact:After examining all the evidence, such as inconclusive accounts and information about Babe Ruth’s bold personality, you conclude that he did indeed “call his shot” by pointing to the outfield fence before hitting a homerun.

Given all the historical accounts and interpretations surrounding the events, Truman’s true intention in ordering the drop of atomic bombs on Japan was to end the war as quickly as possible.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsFuture Fact:Given that history shows that innovative defense systems have been constructed for purely defensive purposes, you argue that the new Star Wars Defense System will be used for defensive, rather than offensive, purposes.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsGreater and Less:The fact that Texas, a very large and populous state, has been successful in implementing a rigorous program of testing to increase overall student performance shows that the same program will be successful in smaller states as well.

The fact that one school in the district has been successful in implementing a math intervention program shows that the program will be successful district-wide.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsCommon Topics:1.Definition: distinguish one thing from all others2.Division: divide subject into smaller parts3.Compare/Contrast: similarities & differences4.Relationships: relationships between parts5.Circumstances: “Basic Topics”6.Testimony: use of experts, authorities, etc.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsDefinition:In arguing that students with learning disabilities should be exempt from taking standardized tests, you would need to explain what you mean by “learning disability” by describing as fully as possible what you mean generally by the word disability, then clarify which disabilities specifically hinder a person’s learning.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsDivision:In writing a paper about how an actor can successfully perform a major role in a play, you might divide this topic into two parts: how to rehearse and how to perform. You might then subdivide each of these parts; for the “how to rehearse” part, you might divide it into three sections: how to prepare for rehearsal, how to act during rehearsal, and how to debrief with your fellow actors after the rehearsal.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsCompare & Contrast:In preparing a presentation on community service opportunities at a particular college, you might look at each opportunity and its relation to students’ majors, its relation to college education in general, and its proximity to campus and accessibility for students.


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsRelationships:•Cause & Effect•Antecedent-Consequent•Contradictions


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsCircumstances:•Possible & Impossible•Past Fact•Future Fact

“Basic Topics”


Invention Strategy #3: TopicsTestimony:Research and use primary source documents, and interview experts and eyewitnesses to build your case.


Intuitive Invention Strategies: Preview1. Free Writing: non-stop for a set time

turn off internal editor revise later

2. Journaling: reading response / promptsbasis for formal writing

3. Conversation: know your partners well listen well, speak up


MemoryHow we analyze a text is shaped by prior

knowledgeTap into cultural memoryAdvancements in collective knowledge come

through writingUse mnemonic devices (house analogy)


Cultural MemoryCultural Memory: What Every American Should Know

by E.D. HirschWhat do you know about the following:• Lord Kelvin• Kentucky Derby• Knock on Wood• Kangaroo Court• Kent State University• KGB• Nikita Kruschev• Knee jerk• Martin Luther King, Jr.• For the want of a nail, the kingdom was lost


Chapter 2 ReviewFive traditional canons of rhetoric:Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory,

Delivery

Invention is both systematic and intuitive

Use Cultural Memory

Documents

Everyday Use Chapter 2 Summary Canons of Rhetoric: Invention Arrangement Style Memory Delivery