Rhetorical Appeals
Most language enthusiasts, like professionals and writers, often employ the term ‘rhetorical appeal’ in the modification of ideas. These ideas are sometimes developed by language instructors or policymakers in the literary realm. They always use them in conveying credible ideas relating to issues affecting society. This functionality has attributed rhetoric as persuasive or sometimes applied in the process of seeking identity and obtaining clarity. The persuasive tag was associated with the perpetrators of rhetoric who employed it in manipulative means without heeding to ethical or moral codes. On the flip side, the concept of rhetoric has transformed to include the process of meaningful communication in a bid to understand ideologies and various policies brought up by laureates (Purdue Writing Lab).
However, in view of two essays, “How Effective is Social Media Activism” by Erin Lee and Brian Dunning’s “Slacktivism: Raising Awareness,” Dunning has excelled in the application of rhetorical appeals. His vivid descriptions and diction, which evokes varying emotions in the course of reading, have made his essay the epitome of rhetorical appeal. Consequently, following after is an exposition that compares and contrast the application of rhetorical triangles as postulated by Aristotle in the pieces of Erin Lee and Brian Dunning.
Comparison
Logos is described as the ability of a piece of writing to appeal in reasoning. It also builds on the text of the essay and the effectiveness of the highlighted points (Lutzke and Mary 1). In both pieces, “How Effective is Social Media Activism” and “Slacktivism: Raising Awareness,” the writers have exhaustively used logos. The outcome is a reliable essay that is communicative and can effect the intended objective. For instance, Erin Lee has several points that are building on the text of the article. From a section, “Robert Wright ’18, a Dartmouth organizer for Bernie Sanders’ campaign, noted that many students are not as politically active because they are not immediately affected by policy changes.”(Lee). The structure of the text is complete in meaning and also presents a point that will require a few examples in strengthening the argument.
In the same manner, Brian Dunning is a compelling writer with well-structured postulations. He has achieved effectiveness through sentences that are building on each other to support reason and enable the reader to comprehend the context of the text. From his excerpt, “Such forms of armchair activism almost never accomplish anything. At their best, most of them are wastes of your time; a pointless click of the mouse.” (Dunning) he has woven the words to come up with sentences that are full of reason and conveys the text of the essay. Both writers have successfully employed logos in building rhetoric in their articles.
Ethos is the position of a writer in an essay and the level of credibility in work (Lutzke and Mary 1). Both Dunning and Lee have attained credibility by connecting themselves to their articles. Further, their choice of words is relatable, which enables comprehension of their messages. For example, here is an extract. “Today, an example of slacktivism is more likely to be benign. The online petition is very common.” (Dunning). His diction is simple, which is essential in effective communication. Moreover, Lee has also selected easily grasped words, which is an advantage to the target audience.
Pathos is described as the function of a piece of writing in evoking emotions and how it incorporates the role of the audience (Lutzke and Mary 1). From the two essays, Lee and Dunning are exemplary in their work since they have several instances of pathos. Dunning has employed vivid descriptions in creating mental impressions of their subject matter. He has also used examples that are in the proximity of their audience. The application of these features is part of the creative work since the writer will be composing with the readers in mind. The following excerpt is an example that highlights how Dunning has involved the features in his essay. “In 2014, a photograph was circulated that showed a laboratory with a lot of cats strapped into frightening-looking racks.” (Dunning). From this portion, a reader will be in a position to imagine the kind of environment the cats were predisposed to. Further, Lee evoked emotions since the reader is in a place to connect with the speaker. “Rhimes went on to encourage her young, Ivy League audience to instead go out and do something. But is Shonda right?” (Lee).
Contrast
In the application of Logos, the two authors come out differently. Dunning has introduced his essay with a thesis statement that is hooking and gives the reader an inkling of the direction of the piece. Further, he has strong points that are relevant in building on the thesis statement (Lutzke and Mary 2). The shreds of evidence are strategically placed, mostly coming after the topic sentences. This is an example of his application of logos. “Slacktivism” is a portmanteau of slacker activism. Everyone likes to think they are an activist.” (Dunning). On the flip side, Lee used a question and a report on the claims of Shonda Rhimes as the framework of her essay. Further, her sentiments were built upon the postulations of other policymakers. This form of writing has given her article the position of a report since she has not employed most of her ideas in the development of concepts and giving the essay a direction. “Kevin Bui ’17 said social media works as a forum to share articles and contribute to a greater social conversation.” (Lee).
In the front of ethos, Dunning and Lee employed different forms of it to give their essays originality. From his sentiments, Dunning comes out as a partaker in the investigation of credibility in the many uproars which are feeding our timelines, claiming to be aimed at highlighting the social ills and demanding justice. Further, he airs his position using a communicative and straightforward language. His writing ensues professionalism and accords respect to various viewpoints (Lutzke and Mary 2). Here is an excerpt showing these features. “Forbes Magazine had listed him on their “World’s Most Wanted” in 2008 alongside Osama bin Laden, and in 2011 alongside Ayman al-Zawahiri. In 2005, Kony was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.” (Lee). However, Lee applied some few forms of ethos. In the introductory paragraph, Lee relates to the essay as a reporter of various viewpoints pertaining to social media activism. She has employed different ideas in her article, where she eventually does not have an opportunity to express more of her views. The essay is awash with many proclamations. For example, her finality is a postulation by an ideologist, Wright.
And finally, there was also a disparity in how the writers applied pathos in their pieces of writings. “Slacktivism: Raising Awareness” is a compelling essay since Dunning has employed vivid descriptions at the relevant points which enable subject development, and the audience is also in a position to live into the context created by the writer(Lutzke and Mary 2). It has also been achieved by employing appropriate examples. The following piece is a blend of the highlighted features. “I remember a day in the 1980s when I was driving through a depressed area of Los Angeles, and there was a billboard advertising “Speak Out Against Racism,” with a 976 phone number.” (Dunning). On the contrary, Erin Lee did not employ instances of vivid descriptions to assist in engaging the audience in the essay. And yet, she managed to bring out emotions, which is evident in the tone. Moreover, she selected proclamations that are sidelining with the beliefs and values of her audience. For instance, “I think we can credit the conversations stemming from the hashtag and the issues behind it to making system change for the first time in the 80 year history of the Academy,” Reign said.” (Lee).
Conclusion
The two articles by Brian Dunning and Erin Lee, are forefront in the application of rhetoric appeals to convey their messages. The appeals enable engaging the audience through the use of credible information and examples, which stems from the issues affecting them in the immediate environment.
Works Cited
Dunning, Brian. “Slacktivism: Raising Awareness.” Skeptoid Podcast. Skeptoid Media (2016). https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4419
Lee, Erin. “How effective is social media [and #hashtag] activism?” The Direct Primary Care Journal (2016). https://directprimarycare.com/erin-lee-how-effective-is-social-media-and-hashtag-activism/
Lutzke, Jaclyn, and M. F. Henggeler. “The rhetorical triangle: Understanding and using logos, ethos, and pathos.” (2009) Hentet fra: https://www.lsu.edu/hss/english/files/university_writing_files/item35402. pdf
Purdue Writing Lab. “Rhetorical Situations // Purdue Writing Lab.” Purdue Writing Lab, owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/rhetorical_situation/index.html.