Rhetoric and stereotypes are linked as rhetorical devices can reinforce stereotypes, often for personal gain. Pathos is commonly used to produce emotional reactions, but logos and ethos can also be employed. Rhetorical devices such as metaphors, downplayers, and hyperbole are used to persuade listeners or readers. The study of rhetoric has been used since ancient times to convince people of a particular point of view.
The connection between rhetoric and stereotypes is that rhetorical devices and techniques can be used to reinforce stereotypes. People who use rhetoric in this way generally have ulterior motives, in that they are applying a stereotype to convince listeners or readers of a particular point of view for personal gain. This can be done by politicians who demonize a particular immigrant group to lobby for public favor, or by those whose views seem diametrically opposed, such as clerics and fundamentalist scientists. Pathos is the area of rhetoric most frequently used to reinforce stereotypes, but logos and ethos can also sometimes be employed.
Rhetoric and stereotypes are related because people who want to impose stereotypes often want to convince others of their point of view. For example, a politician may want to capitalize on public discontent by blaming the country’s problems on immigration. Rhetoric can be used in these cases to label all immigrants as “a drain on our economic and cultural independence,” or using a metaphor to describe them as “leeches” or other parasitic creatures. This emotionally charged language can convince listeners or readers to stereotype all immigrants as a drain on the economy, whether or not that belief is supported by evidence.
The specific tools used that connect rhetoric and stereotypes are called rhetorical devices. These are established methods of using language persuasively, such as the “leech” metaphor. Other rhetorical devices include “downplayers” and hyperbole. A downplayer can be used to downplay the importance of something, with the use of a word such as “simply” or “so called”. Hyperbole is an exaggeration and is used to make exaggerated claims such as “race X people are innate liars and thieves”.
Most of the rhetorical devices used when people combine rhetoric and stereotypes fall under the category of pathos. Pathos means appeal to emotion, and is one of the three main areas of rhetoric, along with logic and the public image of the person. People use pathos to produce emotional reactions to an issue, such as hatred for a particular race, group, or nationality. For example, someone might say that “politicians are weasels; lying and cheating to gain power” to convince voters that all politicians are untrustworthy. Again, no solid information is used in this statement, just a metaphor with unpleasant overtones.
Rhetoric is the art of argument and persuasion and can be used to convince anyone of anything. That’s why rhetoric and stereotypes are linked, because art can be used for any purpose. The study of rhetoric has been in use since the time of the ancient Greeks. Political speeches and commercials are usually inundated with rhetoric, because they have a specific need to convince listeners of something.
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