Essential Rhetorical Analysis Terms

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about rhetorical analysis terms.

Analogy

Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple.

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.

Deductive reasoning

A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary-definition meaning 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.

Implication

When something is suggested without being concretely stated.

Inductive reasoning

Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand.

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

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.

Synthesis

Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way in the purpose of a larger point.

Themes

Overarching ideas or driving premises of a work.

Tone

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

Voice

An author's unique sound. Similar to style.