“Rhetorical Triangle” When I think of a rhetorical triangle, first I think of the word rhetoric, which to me means a way of understanding language, and then there is the word triangle, and in my opinion is a three sided work of art. When I put the two words together, rhetoric triangle, I feel that it means understanding language by using a work of art. The three sides to the triangle – Logos, Ethos and Pathos have different meanings but without each other the triangle as a whole is not complete.
Logos focuses attention on the quality of the message (Ramage, et al 62). This is the context of what you are writing about. That is, what is the message you are sending? Are you informing your audience about the context of your writing and if so, what is your evidence and what are the claims surrounding your argument. Ethos focuses attention on the writer’s character as it is projected in the message (Ramage, et al 62). Who are you as a writer? Can the audience trust what you are saying are facts or are you trying to entertain? To me, this is the most important part of the rhetorical triangle because you have to believe in yourself as a writer before your audience will take heed and listen to what you have to say. In theory, you should be able to take any audience and grab their attention and their focus on what you have to say. Without the writer, you have no reader. And last, Pathos focuses attention on the values and beliefs of the intended audience (Ramage, et al 63). Who are you trying to relay your message to? And, what will they do with the message once it has been received by them? Do you want them to use the information in their lives, are you trying to inform them and leave them wanting more and/or are you wanting input as to their beliefs as well?
Logos, Ethos and Pathos are the corner fitting pieces to the rhetorical triangle. Once you have formulated your ideas of writing into these three elements, the triangle is complete and you can deliver your message. I think everyone has the ability to write and using the rhetorical triangle is just one of many skills that will guide you in organizing and developing your writing so that you can make your writing as useful to others as it is for yourself.
Works Cited
Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: a Rhetoric with Readings. New York: Pearson Longman, 2010. Print.
Language as a work of art! What a wonderful way to describe this methodology. I find it fascinating how you view the triangle differently than I. Being logical almost to a fault, I would have placed ethos at the bottom of my list of importance. I do often wonder how many good ideas go unheard because their speaker lacks the charisma or the skill of another. Do you think this is a common problem for politicians? Was George Bush a bad politician because he couldn’t speak well and Obama is a better one because he can? I think this just highlights the need to write to a broad audience and that the triangle really isn’t complete without all three parts!
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