Rhetoric In The Novel 'Soften Them Up' By Jay Heinrichs

Jay Heinrichs novel Thank You For Arguing instructs us on how to argue effectively.

The author adapts argument tools to modern situations, thus showing the importance of rhetoric.

Heinrichs had previously worked as a journalist before becoming a full time writer and advocate for rhetoric. He utilizes illustrative examples to convey rhetorical concepts. Furthermore, chapter four reveals the most valuable logos and pathos tactic. Lastly, this book’s use should be continued in this course.

Heinrichs begins by explaining the art of rhetoric and laying out the basic tools of argument. He emphasizes the importance of using the proper tense to avoid arguing the wrong issue. Furthermore, he introduces logos, ethos and pathos and shows how to “wield” each rhetorical tool. In Part 2, Heinrichs discusses common logical fallacies as well as rhetorical fouls. He remarks rhetoric’s single rule of never arguing the inarguable and demonstrates how ethos helps to know whom to trust. In Part 3, Kairos becomes an important tool for knowing the right time to persuade one’s audience. In Part 4 of the novel, the author provides examples of how to use rhetorical tools previously introduced in the

Concession concedes a point made by one’s opponent to shift the argument to the future tense. Sympathizing with one’s audience makes it easier to shift their mood. Heinrichs conveys the concept of concession by narrating a personal anecdote in which he proposes the idea of clean covers to his boss, who never disagrees with him, yet winds up losing the argument. Furthermore, he conveys the concept of sympathy by presenting a scenario where one sympathizes a young girl who has lost her balloon. The misconception of winning every time one argues is contradicted by the logical tactic of concession. Winning an argument doesn’t mean winning a point but rather persuading your