Running head: Rhetorical Analysis 1

Rhetorical Analysis:

An Introduction to Tests and Testing

by M. V. Marshall

Ceciliah Martinez

The University of Texas at El Paso

RWS 1301

Dr. Vierra

March 17, 2019

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 2

Abstract

There is no abstract for this rhetorical analysis.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 3

Rhetorical Analysis:

An Introduction to Tests and Testing

The research question is whether the author or the book is credible and if any emotional

appeals are used. The question of fidelity is brought to light, considering whether the information

contained within is factual or accurate. This rhetorical analysis will help in understanding the

types of language and use of appeals in writing. The purpose of this essay is to perform a

rhetorical analysis on Marshall’s book, An Introduction to Tests and Testing, to understand how

effectively, or ineffectively, he applied ethos, logos, and pathos.

Discussion

Genres

Genre is a type of writing in which serves as a guide into the interpretation of a text.

According to Frow (2015), genre guides interpretation because it is a constraint on semiosis, the

prediction of meaning; it specifies which types of meaning are relevant and appropriate in a

particular context, and so makes certain senses of an utterance more probable, in the

circumstances, than others (p. 110). This implies genre as a tool and or function of reading. This

allows a reader to interpret a text through research by questioning what is being said in the

message as well what it means. Examples of genre include personal writing, academic writing,

popular culture, civic writing, professional writing, and literature. Being able to clearly identify

the genre in a literary piece of research will enhance the understanding of what is being read.

Downs

The definition of rhetoric is the action of using language through speaking and writing in

an effective manner. As stated in the Downs reading, “rhetoric is an operating system for human

interaction and meaning-making” (2017). Our brains are indeed capable of gathering senses to
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 4

create imagery when reading or simply having human interactions. According to the Downs

reading (Rhetoric: Making Sense of Human Interaction and Meaning-Making), human

interaction and meaning-making is at the heart, so then the experience of 14 encountering a vast

range of sensory signals and interpreting them by associating them with networks of our existing

knowledge (p. 463). This implies that our brains allow us to gather new information and connect

it with old information that we already know to create imagery.

Wardle & Downs

When it comes to rhetoric there are many principles that must be understood to reveal the

idea of what the meaning and purpose of rhetoric embodies. According to Wardle and Downs

(2017), The term rhetoric actually refers to one of three different things, depending on how it is

used: a field of knowledge, a theoretical construct, and a performance art (p. 448). Rhetoric is

thus both the art of human interaction (including persuasion) through language and other

symbols, as well as the study of that interaction (p. 448). In connection to Camille A. Langston

(2016), Aristotle described three types of persuasive speech which are forensics, epideictic and

symbouleutikon, as well as three persuasive appeals, such as ethos, pathos and logos. This

suggests a theory to rhetoric and the history, as well as recent readings of how rhetorical

language can be interpreted by multiple things. This allows for the language and art of speaking

and writing to be diverse.

Ethos

The book is a credible source. The preface within the book states that the author acquired

a doctoral degree at the University of Northern Colorado (p. xi). Ethnical appeal, in other terms

ethos, is a technique used by an author to convince the audience of his or her credibility.

According to Covino and Jolliffe (1995), ethos is generally defined as the good character and the
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 5

consequent credibility of the rhetor (p. 336). As remarked by Fletcher-Janzen (2009),

nevertheless, it should be recognized that its implementation requires a sophisticated clinician

who is well informed in several fields of psychology (p.16). The author mentions the occupation

of the person of interest to persuade and convince the audience that they are a credible source.

Pathos

There is an emotion appeal throughout the book used by the author. The emotional appeal

known as ethos is a technique used by an author to persuade the audience by appealing to their

emotions. The author uses examples of researches conducting studies on specific groups to

attract the audience through emotion. According to Covino and Jolliffe (1995), the central idea

underlying pathos is that an effective text will somehow activate or draw upon the sympathies

and emotions of the auditors, causing them to attend to and accept its ideas, propositions, or calls

for action (p. 338). As provided by Fletcher-Janzen (2009), Terman, Otis, and Yerkes, in

America, assisted in personnel selection for the armed forces during wartime and furthered

psychometric design (Kaufman 2000), and in France, formal measurement of intelligence

emerged as a response to compulsory education for children and was led by Alfred Binet (p. 17).

The author provided examples whereas the studied subjects were individuals in situations the

audience will feel sympathetic for.

Logos

Facts are presented in the book by the author. The logical appeal, also known as logos, is

a technique used by an author to convince the audience with logic. The author connects the topic

with factual evidence and cites information discussed. According to Covino and Jolliffe (1995),

the third pistis is logos, the appeal to patterns, conventions, and modes of reasoning that the

audience finds convincing and persuasive (p. 338). A stated by Fletcher-Janzen (2009), in Russia
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 6

at this time, A.R. Luria was fully engaged in what ended up being a long journey of

neuropsychological scientific inquiry that attempted to push the limits of brain-behavior

knowledge and also meld romantic and classical research methods. Luria initially called the

melding of the two approaches “the combined motor method” (Cole, 1990). This approach was

based in the hope that Freud’s clinical assessment methods could be positioned to

experimentation (p. 17). The author included facts with time, place and reason with citations for

the information provided.

Conclusion

In conclusion to the research topic, which was placement testing, the use of ethos, pathos

and logos was identified in the sources. With the previous knowledge of understanding the

meaning of rhetoric and how it applies to the three types of appeals connected to how credible

and resourceful the author and book is. The focused audience seeking information and

knowledge of the topic is informed of its meaning and purpose. This essay has attempted to

provide evidence that the author of An Introduction to Tests and Testing, successfully applied

rhetorical elements (ethos, logos, pathos) to engage with a particular audience.

RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 7

References

Covino, W., & Joliffe, D. (1995). “What Is Rhetoric?” Rhetoric: Concepts, Defi Nitions,

Boundaries. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1995. 3–26. Print. Retrieved from

https://blackboardlearn.utep.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2458606-dt-content-rid-

76672665_1/xid-76672665_1

Downs, D. (2017) Rhetoric: Making Sense of Human Interaction and Meaning-Making. 457-

481. Retrieved from https://blackboardlearn.utep.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2495955-dt-

content-rid-76905778_1/xid-76905778_1

Frow, J. (2015). Genre Abingdon, Oxon ; New York : Routledge, 2015; 2nd edition. Retrieved

from http://0-

search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04704a&AN=nug.b36025

23&site=eds-live&scope=site; http://0-

ebookcentral.proquest.com.lib.utep.edu/lib/utep/detail.action?docID=1791265

Kaufman, J. C. (2009). Intelligent testing: Integrating psychological theory and clinical practice

Cambridge England, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Retrieved from http://0-

search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04704a&AN=nug.b23469

76&site=eds-live&scope=site

Langston, C. (2016). How to use rhetoric to get what you want. TED-Ed. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?v=3klMM9BkW5o&event=video_description&redir_

token=J6NOWh9MJRt8rlBGnojXOdv9ifh8MTU0OTY4OTA5NkAxNTQ5NjAyNjk2&q
RHETORICAL ANALYSIS 8

=http%3A%2F%2Fed.ted.com%2Flessons%2Fhow-to-use-rhetoric-to-get-what-you-wan

t-camille-a-langston

Marshall, M. V. (1944). An introduction to tests and testing Toronto, Halifax, The Ryerson

press. Retrieved from http://0-

search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat04704a&AN=nug.b135

8042&site=eds-live&scope=site

Wardle. Downs, D. (2017). Rhetoric: How Is Meaning Constructed in Context? Retrieved

from https://blackboardlearn.utep.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2501746-dt-content-rid-

77012531_1/xid-77012531_1