Rhetorical Strategies
September 25, 2015
Question for the day: under what conditions do Coke products aid the human body?? Diabetes, we know for sure. Obesity, we understand is directly connected. , so.....Seriously, if we understand that Coke is bad for our body in so many ways, why do we get a warm fuzzy feeling when we see those breathtaking, red, glossy semi-trucks that are full to the top with Coke products? Why? I will tell you why!
Language is power. Rhetorical language persuades without the slightest hint that it is manipulating us with our emotions. Part of us thinks it is good for us because it reminds us of summer at Grandma's or an especially sexy Christmas. This is why we teach rhetorical devices or strategies in high schools, so that our students can begin to identify when they are being persuaded by something other than the facts. That is the power of rhetoric. Use it. And stay away from Coke, unless you truly desire diabetes or obesity in your life. Then do it with awareness of rhetoric.
Coke. It does a body good. Wait. That's milk. Wait. That's not even true. What if you are lactose intolerant?