Write For Us

Rhetoric: How persuasive are you? - 6 Minute English

E-Commerce Solutions SEO Solutions Marketing Solutions
79 Views

  • Thanks! Share it with your friends!

    You disliked this video. Thanks for the feedback!

ava
Published
The art of rhetoric started with the ancient Greek philosophers. Later, during the Roman republic, politicians and statesmen used rhetoric in speeches given to crowds in the public square. Modern politicians may prefer Twitter, but they still use persuasive language. Sam and Neil discuss the topic and teach you related vocabulary.

This week's question
Roman politicians used many rhetorical tricks to persuade people including the 'argumentum ad hominum' which was an attack on their opponent’s moral character. Another was called the 'argumentum ad baculum' – but what did it mean?
a) an argument based on logic
b) an argument based on emotion
c) an argument based on the stick
Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

VOCABULARY
soundbite
short and memorable phrase used by politicians

rally
unite to support a common goal

pull the wool over someone’s eyes
(informal) trick or deceive someone

premise
idea you believe to be true and use as the basis for developing an argument

conclusion
decision or plan of action after thinking about something carefully and considering all the relevant facts

polemical
arguing very strongly for or against a particular opinion or idea

[Cover: Getty Images]

You can download the audio and the transcript here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220414

More 6 Minute English episodes:
Sleepy in South Korea
https://youtu.be/NODkUzmamP8

Personalised diets
https://youtu.be/dJZ9CSbGueU

How green is nuclear energy?
https://youtu.be/naB_3XYRtew

Why we forget the things we learn
https://youtu.be/1iHeeMlOsyc

Should fast food sponsor sport?
https://youtu.be/BvNNuSz-EFw

#learnenglish #persuasion #rhetoric
Category
English Languages
Tags
learn English, English vocabulary, speak English
Sign in or sign up to post comments.
Be the first to comment