1. Rhetoric, Language, and Logical Fallacy
COM 115

2. Common Rhetorical Devices
Alliteration, Anaphora, Antistrophe,
Antithesis, Chiasmus, Metaphor,
Parallelism, Simile, Tricolon

3. Examples
 https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=RJ6eFItZhIA (RFK
in April 1968)
 https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=SfzTY3Ey3Ys
(Reagan - 1964)
 https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=ugsTkF
mXCnQ (Ted Kennedy
– 1980)
 https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=e4q4_a
UX3bc (Cuomo – 1984)

4. 
Rhetoric & Language

5. Patterns of Language
Language is
Patterned &
Structured
Systems of
Language are
Diverse
Language is a
Social System

6. Language Principles
C C V I S
O
R
R
E
C
T
L
E
A
R
I
V
I
D
N
C
L
U
S
I
V
E
T
Y
L
I
S
T
I
C

7. Acquiring Meaning – Denotation & Connotation
Denotation:
• The Object itself
Connotation:
• Our experience or
personal evaluation of
the object – i.e. What
does it mean to you?

8. Establishing Groups - Language
GroupCreation
Function
Jargon – Specialized
Vocabulary
Slang – Informal form of an
established language
Argot – Secret, highly
specialized language
Dialect(s) – Colloquialisms,
euphemism, and misc.
turns of phrase

9. Logical Fallacies
Flaws in the logic of an argument

10. Hasty generalization
False analogy
Post hoc
Slippery slope
Red herring
Logical Fallacies - Overview
Appeal to tradition
False dilemma/choice
False authority
Bandwagon
Ad hominem

12.  Son or Daughter: I’m
so upset because we
broke up…
 Mom/Dad/Guardian
: Just think of all the
starving children
around the world,
honey. Your problems
don’t seem so bad now,
right?
Now we have
bought a new
house, everyone
will get along.