Persuasive Techniques - Speech Conventions Study Set (copy)

Ethos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

Pathos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions.

Logos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience based on statistics, facts, and reasons.

Evidence

Writers use evidence to make their argument stronger and bolster their credibility.

Anecdotal evidence

An anecdote is a tale involving real-life events, a true story. Such stories can be used by writers as evidence to back their claims.

Expert opinion

To make a writer’s position seem more credible, they may quote the opinions of experts that correspond with their own.

Statistical evidence

Like any form of evidence, statistics can be used to make an argument seem more conclusive, a writer’s opinion more valid.

Syntax

The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. It is sentence structure and how it influences the way a reader perceives a piece of writing.

Repetition

When used sparingly for effect, it can reinforce the writer's message and/or entertain the reader.

Cumulation

Using many similar words in a short space is cumulation and can give weight to the idea being expressed.

Alliteration

This refers to the repetition of the first sound in consecutive words, an effect which draws attention to the words in question.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence.

Epistrophe

A word or phrase repeated at the end of consecutive lines.

Parallelism

The technique of arranging words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures by placing them side by side and making them similar in form.

Understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is.

Expletive

Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive.

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Tone

Similar to mood, tone describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

Inclusive Language

Inclusive language aims to directly address the reader, either personally or as a member of a shared group.

Synthetic Personalization

The process of addressing mass audiences as though they were individuals through inclusive language usage.

Diction (Word Choice)

Is a person "slim" or "skinny"? Is an oil spill an "incident" or an "accident"? Is a government expenditure an "investment" or a "waste"?

Connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

Denotation

The actual meaning of the word.

Euphemism

A more acceptable or usually a more acceptable way of saying something uncomfortable.

Lexical Cluster

Words pertaining to a particular group or idea.

Ambiguity

Use of language in which multiple meanings are possible.

Analogy

Comparing one situation to another.

Hyperbole

Completely overstating and exaggerating your point for effect.

Imagery

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

Symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else.

Synecdoche

A type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole, the whole for a part, or any portion, section, or main quality for the whole or the thing itself.

Concession

Acknowledging the opposition’s main idea.

Appeal to authority

A writer may mention an important event or person in an essay to lend importance or credibility to his/her argument.

Facts

Using statistics or data to support an argument.

Rhetorical Question

Sometimes a writer or speaker will ask a question to which no answer is required.

Irony

Irony is present if the writer’s words contain more than one meaning.

Testimonial

Using words of an expert, a famous person, or a regular “Joe” to persuade others.

Bandwagon

Persuade people to do something by letting them know others are all doing it as well.

Name Calling

Describing poor aspects of a competitor's argument/product so that your argument/product seems better.

Card Stacking

Telling the facts for one side only.

Hypophora

A figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered by the same speaker, often at length.

Chiasmus

A figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax, but reverse the order of the analogous words.

Antithesis

The presentation of two contrasting ideas, balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.

Asyndeton

The omission of a conjunction such as "and" or "as" from a series of related clauses, usually to accelerate a passage and emphasize the significance of the relation between these clauses.

Polysyndeton

A figure of speech in which several conjunctions are used to join connected clauses in places where they are not contextually necessary.

Juxtaposition

Placing two concepts, characters, ideas, or places near or next to each other for the purpose of comparison and contrast.

Epistrophe

A figure of speech that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Tricolon

A rhetorical term for a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.