Elements of Argument

What is an argument?

Using language, reason, and evidence to influence others' thoughts or behaviors.

What is rhetoric?

Strategies used to make an argument persuasive and effective for its audience.

What is a claim?

The position or statement the speaker wants the audience to accept or believe.

What is an audience?

Individuals or groups the speaker is trying to persuade, tailored to interests or biases.

What is a rhetorical situation?

The context of an argument, including subject, audience, and purpose affecting presentation.

What is the rhetorical triangle?

Diagram showing speaker, subject, and audience relationships shaping the argument.

In SOAPSTone, what is the subject?

The general topic or content of the argument (e.g., slavery in the U.S.).

In SOAPSTone, what is the occasion?

The circumstances or events that prompted the argument, like controversy or urgency.

In SOAPSTone, what is the audience?

The specific group the speaker is addressing and trying to persuade.

In SOAPSTone, what is the purpose?

The speaker's goal—what they want the audience to think, feel, or do.

In SOAPSTone, who is the speaker?

The person or group presenting the argument, including background and potential biases.

In SOAPSTone, what is tone?

The speaker’s attitude toward the subject and audience (e.g., hopeful, accusatory).

What is bias?

A speaker’s or writer’s preference or prejudice influencing their viewpoint.

What are appeals?

Strategies to persuade, including logos, pathos, and ethos.

What is logos?

Appeal to reason or logic using facts, data, or evidence.

What is pathos?

Appeal to emotion, connecting with the audience through feelings or vivid examples.

What is ethos?

Appeal to credibility, showing trustworthiness, knowledge, or shared values.

What are counterarguments?

Arguments addressing opposing viewpoints or anticipating objections.

What is a concession?

Agreeing with part of an opposing argument to strengthen credibility.

What is refutation?

Explaining why an opposing argument is incorrect or weaker to defend your claim.

What is color and lighting in visuals?

How colors and lighting emphasize elements, set mood, or attract attention.

Questions to ask about color and lighting?

What colors are used? Contrast? How does lighting affect focus or tone?

What is framing and focus?

What is included/excluded in a visual and how attention is directed.

Questions to ask about framing and focus?

What is centered/off to the side? Close-up or distant? In or out of focus?

What is layout and design?

How visual info is organized, spaced, and presented.

Questions to ask about layout and design?

How is info arranged? Are lines, blank spaces, or sections guiding attention?

What are fonts and symbols?

Text and symbol styles used to show tone, importance, or authority.

Questions to ask about fonts and symbols?

What fonts are used? Bolded/labelled? How do symbols affect meaning?

What is connotation?

Ideas or emotions associated with a word beyond its literal meaning.

What is figurative language?

Using metaphors, similes, or figures of speech to emphasize or appeal to emotion.

What is an allusion?

A reference to a well-known cultural, historical, or literary element.

What is parallelism?

Using similar grammatical structures to emphasize related ideas.

What is a rhetorical question?

A question asked to engage or emphasize, not expecting an answer.

What is the rhetorical situation?

Context including speaker, subject, audience, occasion, purpose, and tone shaping the argument.