ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (6) 1 :

1. Identify and explain an author's rhetorical choices, including point of view, purpose, anecdotes, and figurative, connotative, and technical word meanings, to develop central and supporting ideas.

[ELA2021] (7) 12 :

12. Determine the intended purposes of techniques used for rhetorical effect in multiple digital sources.

[ELA2021] (9) 16 :

16. Interpret how an author's grammar and rhetorical style contribute to the meaning in both fiction, including poetry and prose, and nonfiction, including historical, business, informational, and workplace documents.

[ELA2021] (10) 16 :

16. Interpret how an author's grammar and rhetorical style contribute to the meaning in both fiction, including poetry and prose, and nonfiction, including historical, business, informational, and workplace documents.

[ELA2021] (11) 19 :

19. Interpret how an author's grammar and rhetorical style contribute to the meaning in both fiction, including poetry and prose, and nonfiction, including historical, business, informational, and workplace documents.

[ELA2021] (12) 19 :

19. Interpret how an author's grammar and rhetorical style contribute to the meaning in both fiction, including poetry and prose, and nonfiction, including historical, business, informational, and workplace documents.

By understanding Aristotle’s three elements of persuasive speech—the ancient Greek words ethos, pathos, and logos—students will be able to analyze the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies and elements in commercials and speeches. This lesson could be used in grades 5-12. In Lesson Activity Two, there are links to resources that allow the teacher to choose appropriate texts for their students.