ELA rhetoric vocab

mrs. geter 2026

rhetoric

the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way persuade or influence

appeal

and earnest request or a sympathetic response

context

the occasion or time and place for which a text was written or spoken

purpose

the goal that the speaker or writer wants to achieve

ethos

how to convince audience of the authors credibility or character; that they are a credible source

pathos

how to persuade an audience by appealing to their emotions; to make the audience feel the way the

logos

how to convince an audience by use of logic or reason

argument

an opinion backed by data (claims backed by reasons that are supported by evidence)

claim

the writers stance/ opinion

reasons

main points that use logic or reasoning to justify (explain) the writers claim

data

evidence (facts) that support the reasons

counterclaim

a claim that disagrees with the writers claim (the opposite stance)

rebuttal

evidence that disputes or disagrees with the counterclaim