Unit 1 Rhetorical terms - AP English III

Rhetorical Situation

collectively refers to the exigence, purpose, audience, writer, context, and message. Writers make key decisions about what to say and how to say it based on their specific rhetorical situation.

Exigence

The impetus; the problem the writing addresses; the motivation to write or speak on a particular topic.

Audience

receivers of message who often have a variety of values and beliefs.

Writer/Speaker

The person delivering the message; a unique voice with values and beliefs

Purpose

The goal(s) the writer/speaker wants to achieve

context

the time, place, and occasion

Message

The substance of the writer’s/speaker’s main points

Position

a person’s point stance on an issue; a writer’s personal idea or beliefs about a topic

Perspective

a person’s point of view from which they sense, categorize, measure or codify experience; the complex interplay among a person’s background, interests, and experiences that inform their personal positions on ideas.

Claims

Statements asserted to be true that are not obviously facts and must be defended

Evidence

Information that proves an idea is valid (facts, anecdotes, analogies, statistics, examples, details, illustrations, expert opinions, personal observations, personal experiences, testimonies, experiments)

Source material

Information found in books, articles, conversations, blogs, documents, videos, recordings, etc. Evidence from a source material is implemented through quotes, paraphrases, summaries.

Line of reasoning

The logical sequences of the writer’s claim, evidence, and commentary that leads a reader to or from the writer’s conclusion

Commentary

Explains the significance and relevance of evidence in relation to the line of reasoning; establishes connections between claims, evidence and reasoning.

Rhetorical Analysis

An examination of the strategic writing choices based upon a particular situation in order to create meaning.

Synthesis

Drawing upon multiple sources and combining apt and specific source material as part of one’s own argument.

Argument

Conveying a position through one or more claims that require a defense.

Syntax

the grouping and arranging of words into clauses, sentences, and paragraphs to influence how likely the audience will be to accept or reject the argument.

Diction

writer’s word choice; typically preceded by an adjective.

Tone

Writer’s or attitude or feeling about a subject with particular attention to the connotations of the words; usually preceded by an adjective.

Persona

how the author/speaker wants to be perceived in a particular situation to a particular audience regarding a particular topic in order to influence a particular audience.

organization

structure and pattern used to defend thesis and develop ideas

style

the mix of word choice, syntax, and conventions writers use to express their message which reflects their perspectives, personality, and craft.

Bias

The often unconscious preferences for or against things, ideas, or people.

limitations

the subjective information left out (intentionally or otherwise of an argument.