Rhetoric is defined by Aristotle as the ability to see what is possibly persuasive in every case. Within this, Aristotle explains the three settings in which rhetoric would be used as a powerful persuasive tool : the first setting is epideictic, which would be ceremonial speech. Graduation speeches, funerals and even letters of recommendation would be examples because they give a persuasive “praise’ to someone or something. The second rhetorical setting Aristotle mentions is the forensic rhetoric which would take place in a courtroom setting. The third rhetorical setting is deliberative which would be a political speeches.Aristotle also introduces the first idea of three ways in which a speaker attempts to get through to the listener. First is the ethical appeal which he calls ethos. Second is the logical appeal which he calls logos. Finally, the emotional appeal Aristotle’s called pathos.
In one episode of the Boondocks, the main character Riley demonstrates ethos because of his ethical appeal to his audience to change their point of view on a contraversial matter in the neighborhood. On one hand, he wants his favorite rapper and good friend Gangstalicious to move into the house next door. However, his outspoken grandfather doesn’t want the rapper to move in next door due to his dangerous lifestyle and bad influence on Riley and his younger brother Huey. At one point in the episode Huey speaks out to the neighborhood including Gangstalicious stating that although he and Gangstalicious may be friends, they were in fact dangerous and a bad example to the children of the neighborhood. This forces Gangstalicious out of the neighborhood because they local families push him out. In his speech, Riley demonstrates ethos because he was experienced in what Gangstalicious was doing, not only because they were friends but also because he was young enough to see the malleable kids he hung out with being corrupted. Also, Riley demonstrates pathos because he pleeds with the families to unite and push Gangstalicious out beause the children they raised were being damaged. At one point, a mother even begins to cry while thinking of her little boy being damaged by something she could have prevented.
