3AP Rhetorical Devices Sem. 1 Final

Polemic

Definition: A strong, aggressive argument that criticizes or attacks a specific idea, belief, or group.

Example: An essay arguing that standardized testing is harmful to students and should be eliminated.

Persona

Definition: The voice or character the author adopts when writing.

Example: An author writes as a concerned parent to argue for safer schools.

Context

Definition: The circumstances surrounding a text, including time period, location, culture, and events.

Example: A speech given during the Civil Rights Movement reflects the context of racial injustice.

Counterargument

Definition: An opposing viewpoint to the author’s main argument.

Example: “Some argue that school uniforms limit self-expression.”

Concession

Definition: When a writer acknowledges a counterargument as valid before responding to it.

Example: “While uniforms can reduce bullying, they also limit individuality.”

Connotation

Definition: The emotional or cultural meaning associated with a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Example: “Home” connotes warmth and comfort.

Audience

Definition: The specific group of people the text is intended to influence.

Example: A college application essay is written for admissions officers.

Ethos

Definition: An appeal to credibility or character.

Example: A doctor discussing public health policy establishes trust.

Pathos

Definition: An appeal to emotion.

Example: A charity ad showing struggling children to evoke sympathy, an author says, “We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.”

Logos

Definition: An appeal to logic and reason.

Example: Using statistics to prove that exercise improves health.

Refutation

Definition: A direct response that disproves or weakens a counterargument.

Example: “Although uniforms may limit choice, studies show they improve focus.”

Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things.

Example: “Time is a thief.”

Simile

Definition: A comparison using like or as.

Example: “Her smile was like the sun.”

Allusion

Definition: A reference to a well-known text, event, or person.

Example: Referring to a difficult journey as an “Odyssey.”

Paradox

Definition: A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth.

Example: “Less is more.”

Asyndeton

Definition: Omitting conjunctions to speed up the rhythm or add intensity. When there are no fanboys in a sentance

Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Polysyndeton

Definition: Repeating conjunctions to slow down rhythm or add emphasis.

Example: “We laughed and cried and screamed and danced.”

Periodic Sentence

Definition: A sentence that withholds its main idea until the end.

Example: “After years of struggle and sacrifice, she finally succeeded.”

Cumulative Sentence

Definition: A sentence that begins with the main idea and adds details.

Example: “She succeeded, despite years of struggle and sacrifice.”

Imperative Sentance

Definition: A command or request.

Example: “Listen carefully.”

Symbolism

Definition: Using an object or image to represent a larger idea.

Example: A dove symbolizing peace.

Parallel Structure

Definition: Repeating grammatical patterns for emphasis or clarity.

Example: “To learn, to grow, and to succeed.”

Juxtaposition

Definition: Placing contrasting ideas side by side.

Example: A rich neighborhood next to a poor one in a novel.

Oxymoron

Definition: Two contradictory words paired together.

Example: “Deafening silence.”

Anaphora

Definition: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of clauses.

Example: “We will fight, we will rise, we will win.”

Antithesis

Definition: Contrasting ideas in parallel structure.

Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Archaic Diction

Definition: Old-fashioned language.

Example: “Thou art mistaken.”

Connotative Diction

Definition: Word choice that emphasizes emotional meaning.

Example: “Slim” vs. “skinny.”

Denotation

Definition: The literal dictionary definition of a word.

Example: “Snake” = a type of reptile.

Concrete Diction

Definition: Language that appeals to the senses.

Example: “The rough, icy pavement.” (touch, feel)

Rhetorical Question

Definition: A question asked to make a point, not get an answer.

Example: “Who wouldn’t want to be successful?”

Hortative Sentance

Definition: A sentence that urges the audience to take action, often using “let us.”

Example: “Let us work together to fix this.”

Syntax

Definition: The arrangement of words in a sentence.

Example: Inverting word order for emphasis.

Diction

Definition: An author’s word choice.

Example: Formal vs. informal language.

Fragment

Definition: An incomplete sentence.

Example: “Because I was tired.”

Run-on

Definition: Two or more sentences incorrectly joined together.

Example: “I ran home I was late.”

Independent Clause

Definition: A complete sentence that can stand alone.

Example: “She finished her homework.”

Purpose

Definition: The author’s reason for writing.

Example: To persuade readers to recycle.

Audience

Definition: The intended readers or listeners.

Example: Teenagers reading a school policy essay.

Appeals

Definition: Methods used to persuade (ethos, pathos, logos).

Example: Using emotion and logic together.

Concedes

Definition: Admits a point made by the opposing side.

Example: “The author concedes that change is difficult.”

Dismisses

Definition: Rejects an argument without serious consideration.

Example: “The writer dismisses the claim as unrealistic.”

Refutes

Definition: Proves an opposing argument wrong with evidence.

Example: “The author refutes the myth with data.”

Counter Argues

Definition: Presents an opposing viewpoint to challenge another argument.

Example: “The author counter argues that freedom is more important than security.”

“The author admits that the policy has flaws.”

“She acknowledges the opposing concern.”

Concedes

“The writer dismisses the argument as unrealistic.”

“He brushes off the criticism.”

Dismisses

“The author disproves the claim with evidence.”

“She challenges the idea using statistics.”

Refutes

“The author presents an opposing viewpoint.”

“He challenges the dominant narrative.”

Counter Argues

Short sentences to create urgency

Long sentences to build complexity

Inverted word order for emphasis

Syntax

Formal word choice in a legal document

Casual word choice in a personal essay

Emotional word choice in persuasive writing

Diction

“When the bell rang.”

“Because of the storm.”

“Running through the halls.”

Fragment

“I studied all night I passed the test.”

“She was tired she kept working.”

Run-on

“The class ended early.”

“He refused to quit.”

“They demanded change.”

Independent Clause

“The classroom was a zoo.”

“Her mind was a locked door.”

“Hope is a fragile flame.”

Metaphor

“Fast as lightning”

“Cold as ice”

“Brave like a lion”

Simile

Referring to a struggle as “David vs. Goliath”

Allusion

“You must lose to win.”

“The louder he spoke, the less he was heard.”

“Freedom comes with limits.”

Paradox

an excerpt’s rapid listing of: “storm, whirlwind, earthquake.”

“Pain, fear, exhaustion overwhelmed him.”

“She ran, jumped, fell.”

Asyndeton

“And the rain and the wind and the thunder came.”

“He was tired and hungry and cold.”

“We need courage and strength and unity.”

Polysyndeton

“Despite the risks, the doubts, and the fear, she spoke.”

“After years of silence, injustice, and suffering, change came.”

Periodic Sentence

“She spoke, despite the fear and the consequences.”

“The dog barked, loud and relentless.”

Cumulative Sentence

“Pay attention.”

“Remember their sacrifices.”

“Do not forget.”

Imperative Sentence

Chains representing oppression

Light representing hope

A storm representing chaos

Symbolism

“We will work, we will fight, we will win.”

“To see, to hear, to understand.”

“Equal justice, equal rights, equal opportunity.”

Parallel Structure

Innocence beside violence

Wealth contrasted with poverty

Childhood memories next to adult responsibilities

Innocence beside violence

Wealth contrasted with poverty

Childhood memories next to adult responsibilities

Juxtaposition

“Bittersweet”

“Act naturally”

“Living dead”

Oxymoron

“We demand justice. We demand equality.”

“This nation will rise. This nation will heal.”

Anaphora

“Speech is silver, silence is gold.”

“Many are called, few are chosen.”

Antithesis

“Thee,” “thy,” “thou”

“Hath,” “wherefore”

“Art thou prepared?”

Archaic Diction

“Slender” vs. “scrawny”

“Resolve” vs. “stubbornness”

“Youthful” vs. “immature”

Connotative Diction

“House” = a building people live in

“Snake” = a reptile

“Blue” = a color

Denotation

“The cracked sidewalk burned my feet.”

“The metallic taste of blood.”

“The sharp sting of winter air.”

Concrete Diction

“How much longer will we wait?”

“What kind of future do we want?”

“Is this really justice?”

Rhetorical Question

“Let us stand together.”

“Let us remember their sacrifice.”

“Let us begin again.”

Hortative Sentence

To persuade voters

To inform readers

To criticize injustice

Purpose

Lawmakers

Students

The general public

Audience

Combining emotional stories with facts

Establishing credibility while using logic

Appealing to values shared by the audience

Appeals

An article attacking social media for destroying attention spans

A speech condemning war as immoral and unjust

An essay aggressively criticizing capitalism or communism

Polemic

An author writes as a teacher to lecture readers

A journalist adopts a concerned citizen voice

A narrator speaks as an outsider observing society

Persona

A Cold War speech shaped by fear of communism

A pandemic-era article emphasizing public safety

A suffrage speech influenced by women’s lack of voting rights

Context

“Some believe technology makes students lazy…”

“Critics argue that stricter laws limit freedom…”

“Opponents claim this policy is too expensive…”

Counterargument

“Although this solution is costly, it is effective.”

“While I agree that freedom matters, safety must come first.”

“Granted, homework can be stressful…”

Concession

“Cheap” (negative) vs. “affordable” (positive)

“Childlike” vs. “childish”

“Freedom fighter” vs. “rebel”

Connotation

A scientist citing years of research

A veteran speaking about war

An author referencing personal experience

“I speak today not as an outsider but as one who has lived the legacy of this nation’s contradictions.

Ethos

Describing starving animals in shelters

Sharing a personal tragedy

Using vivid imagery of suffering or joy

“I have stood on the auction block; I have felt the lash; I have known what it means to be regarded as property.”

Pathos

Presenting statistics or data

Explaining cause-and-effect relationships

Using facts to support a claim

“According to census records, nearly four million human beings were held in bondage in 1860. No economic justification can outweigh their suffering.”

Logos

Disproving an argument with evidence

Showing flaws in logic

Citing studies that contradict the opposition

Refutation