Blog post #1

Rhetoric is the art of using language to persuade a certain audience.

There are three forms of rhetoric: logos, pathos, and ethos. All three are used
differently when persuading readers or viewers to believe or think a certain
way. Many examples of these are found in the novel, The Devil in the White
City.
Logos is when one
uses logic or reasoning
to persuade someone.
Many times this is used
in professional
environments or in
commercials. An
example of logos is
found within the novel
stated above. Burnham
appeals to logic when
pushing for specific
sites for the fair. He
uses his past
knowledge and his
experience as an
architect to convince
others of specific sites.
He shares his
knowledge and gives
reasoning as to why
these sites will work.
Burnham uses this
rhetoric form to come
off as professional and
sophisticated.

Pathos is different than

logos in the way that
pathos focuses on
connecting through
emotions. This could
consist of one using
words that trigger
emotions to get their
point across. On page
89, Belknap discovers
Holmes has been forging
his signature for money.
Holmes uses pathos to
persuade Belknap not to
be angry but to feel bad
for him. Holmes appeals
to Belknaps emotions
by claiming a dire need
for money. Belknap
instantly feels sympathy
for Holmes.

Ethos is shown when

one creates trust
between the viewer and
themselves. This is
achieved by using
morals, images, ethics,
etc. One noticeable
example of ethos being
used in this novel is on
page 46. Holmes creates
a personal connection
with Mrs. Holton.
Holmes main goal is to
take over the business
she has been running for
many years. He
proposes the idea that
she should give the
business to someone she
trusts and believes in.
Holmes uses his morals
to convince Mrs. Holton
that he is the one she
should place her trust in.
It is stated that Holmes
made it seem as if he
were proposing the
purchase not to benefit
himself but solely to free
the grieving Mrs. Holton
from the burden of
work.

In this story there are many examples of not only rhetoric forms, but also,
the author alludes to many sciences of persuasion such as: reciprocity,
scarcity, authority, consistency, liking, and consensus.
Reciprocity is the obligation to give when you receive. An example of
reciprocity in The Devil in the White City is, as said above, when Holmes says
he can take the store off Mrs. Holtons hands and then, in exchange, she can
stay upstairs. Holmes is expecting to receive the store and, therefore, he
offers Mrs. Hilton a place to stay.
Scarcity occurs when people want more of what they cant have. Burnham
kept announcing that the Worlds Fair was getting closer and closer. This is
an example of scarcity of time. The end result is nearing and the architects
work harder because of the lack of time. The time is becoming scarce which
forces many of the architects to work more efficiently.
Authority is when people follow credible-knowledgeable experts when
making their own decisions/opinions on certain topics. One obvious example
of this is on page 248. This is when they mention the time savor at the fair.
This part of the fair is to persuade the visitors of what exhibitions to go to.
People will listen and take notice of what this exhibit has to say, because it is
a credible source. They present themselves as ones who know of all the
specifics about the fair. Visitors will follow the advice given because they do
not want to feel nave to the overwhelming fair.
Consistency is when one looks and asks for commitments that can be
made. Holmes is very consistent throughout this book with many things he
does. One form of consistency that Holmes portrays is his way of gathering
his mistresses and convincing them to marry him. Holmes is seen to be
consistently nice and giving to those he wants to pursue a relationship with.
An example of this is when Holmes consistently takes Georgiana on dates to
the fair and buys her jewelry. He convinces Georgina to marry him because
of his constant giving and polite personality towards her.
Liking consists of three important factors. These factors are: similar people,
people who will give you compliments, and people who cooperate with you.
Burnham alludes to this theory when convincing the high power architects
from other states to come help with the Worlds Fair. He consistently tries to
cooperate with each of them in different ways to make them feel they are
needed. He compliments them by talking about their accomplishments and
implying that he looks up to their work. Burnham creates similarities within
the group of architects. He talks about bringing pride to their job and the

field of work. Burnham tries connecting to these architects to create a liking

between them all.
Consensus is when people follow others to make their own decisions. One
example of this in the book is on page 255. The visitors coming back from
the fair persuade their friends and family to go to the fair. By doing this,
many will go to the fair because their friends and family have recommended
it. People tend to follow those who are the most important to them.

MLA

Larson, Erik. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness At the Fair
That Changed America. First edition. Crown Publishers, 2003.

"ScienceOfPersuasion."YouTube.YouTube,n.d.Web.10Feb.2015.
"TheDevilintheWhiteCity."Wikipedia.WikimediaFoundation,n.d.Web.16Feb.
2015.
APA
Larson, E. (2003). The devil in the white city: Murder, magic, and madness at the
fair that changed America (First edition.). Crown Publishers.