JC Rhetoric

Tone

Vocal sound with reference to its pitch, quality, and strength

Stress

To emphasize a particular word or syllable with relative loudness or force of the voice

Subtext

The underlying meaning of a text

Tragedy

A type of drama in which a hero is brought to his/her downfall due to their own flaws

Tragic hero

The character in a tragedy who causes his or her own downfall due to their fatal flaw; they are typically either rich, powerful, or noble; they typically realize they have made a mistake after it is too late

Tragic flaw (fatal flaw)

A quality in a tragic hero which, though could be good in moderation, is taken too far and causes the downfall for the character; examples include pride, ego, confidence, greed, love, ambition, trust, etc.

Internal conflict

A struggle between the character and themselves- goes on inside the mind

External conflict

A struggle/problem between multiple entities: two characters, a character and society, a character and nature, etc.

Comic relief

A character in a tragedy that brings humor to the scenes

Plot of a Shakespeare play

Act 1: exposition (set the scene, characters, and conflicts); Act 2: rising action; Act 3: climax; Act 4: falling action; Act 5: resolution/catastrophe

Stage directions

The words in the play script that tells actors when to enter, what to do, etc.

Blank verse

Poetry that does not rhyme; When Shakespeare's main character's speak in iambic pentameter, they are speaking in poetry, but typically not rhyming

Iamb

A metrical foot consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable

Pentameter

A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet

Iambic pentameter

A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable

Dialogue

Conversation between two or more people

Soliloquy

An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself

Aside

When a character may turn to the audience to make an observation or quippy remark that the other characters can't hear

Monologue

A long speech by one character to other characters

Foil

A character designed to illustrate or reveal information, traits, values, or motivations of another character (the protagonist) through the comparison and contrast of the two

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion, especially in public speaking or argumentative and persuasive writing

Rhetorical Appeals

Different ways to appeal to particular audiences to persuade them to agree with your stance/cause- there are 3 main ones: ethos, pathos, logos

Ethos

Appealing to the speaker's trustworthiness and credibility- a doctor tells you to take a medicine and you do it solely because you trust their opinion

Pathos

Appealing to the audience's emotions- you make the audience feel guilty, embarrassed, angry, etc. in an effort to get what you want

Logos

Appealing to the audience's sense of logic-you use facts, statistics, figures, and scientific proof to convince them

Fallacy

A false or faulty argument; usually you are using an argument that is not true and only exists to manipulate the audience

Repetition

Repeating a word or phrase; helps emphasize your point to your directly to your audience

Parallel Structure

Repeating a grammatical structure; a very effective way to break up your use of repetition by laying out many different ways of expressing the same thought or idea

Verbal Irony

Saying the opposite of what you mean. Makes the audience think it was their idea

Argument Essay Outline

Paragraph 1- Intro: Hook, Context/Background info, Thesis/Claim; Paragraph 2 and 3- Body: Reasons, Evidence, Elaboration; Paragraph 4- Counterclaim: Concession, Refutation, Evidence, Elaboration; Paragraph 5- Conclusion: Re-state claim, Closing thoughts, Call to Action