rhetorical devices

argument

The combination of reasons,evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.

Aristotelian appeals

Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—ethos, logos, and pathos.

attitude

The writer's personal views or feelings about the subject at hand.

audience

Who the author is directing his or her message towards

compare and contrast

Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose

connotation

The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.

context

The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered.

Counterargument

the argument(s) against the author's position

Denotation

the literal, dictionary definition of a word

Diction

The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation.

ethos

Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy.

evidence

The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author's position.

figurative language

The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.

genre

The specific type of work being presented.

Imagery

Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language.

irony

At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended.

Juxtaposition

Placing two very different things together for effect.

logos

appealing to someone's sense of concrete facts and logic

occasion

The reason or moment for writing or speaking.

organization

How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech.

Pathos

An Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone's emotions

purpose

The author's persuasive intention.

Repetition

Re-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis.

Rhetoric

The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience.

rhetorical triangle

The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context.

Speaker

The persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author.

Style

The author's own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice.

Symbolism

Using a symbol to refer to an idea or concept.

Syntax

The way sentences are grammatically constructed.

Themes

Overarching ideas or driving premises of a work.

Tone

The use of stylistic devices to reveal an author's attitude toward a subject.

voice

An author's unique sound. Similar to style.

Allusion

making a brief reference to the cultural canon

anecdote

Offering a brief narrative episode. This device can serve many functions in a text—for example, introducing an issue, serving as evidence, to illustrate a point, and so on.

concession

Agreeing with the opposing viewpoint on a certain smaller point (but not in the larger argument).

didactic

A text with an instructive purpose, often moral.

Exigence

an issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak