LANG RHETORIC

Rhetoric

The art of finding ways to persuade an audience.

Rhetorical Situation

The context of a communication event that includes the speaker, purpose, audience, context, and exigence.

Concession

An acknowledgment that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable, usually accompanied by a refutation.

Refutation

A denial of the validity of an opposing argument, usually accompanied by a concession.

Qualify (a claim)

To make a claim about qualities, gaining understanding of underlying reasons or properties.

Quantify (a claim)

To generate numerical data or statistics to support claims, focusing on 'how much', 'how many', etc.

Aristotelian Triangle

A diagram illustrating the relationships between speaker, subject, and audience in a rhetorical situation.

Ethos

Appeal to the audience’s trust in the character or authority of the speaker.

Logos

Appeal to reason and logic using clear ideas, specifics, and testimonies to support claims.

Pathos

Appeal to emotions, engaging the audience’s feelings to elicit action.

Diction

The choice of words and style of expression used by a speaker or writer.

Archaic language

Language that is antiquated or old-fashioned.

Alliteration

Repetition of the same consonant sound in close proximity within a phrase.

Colloquialism

Language that reflects everyday speech or slang.

Connotation

The implied or contextualized meaning behind a word, beyond its literal definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Ellipsis

Omitting parts of a sentence, allowing readers to fill in gaps.

Jargon

Language specific to a particular field, position, or occupation.

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases to emphasize a point or theme.

Cumulative sentence

A sentence where the main clause appears at the beginning followed by additional information.

Hortative sentence

A sentence that urges, entreats, or implores the audience to take action.

Imperative sentence

A sentence that issues a command or instruction.

Periodic sentence

A sentence where the main clause is withheld until the end.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses.

Antimetabole/Chiasmus

Repetition of words in reverse order.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas or words presented in a parallel construction.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between phrases or clauses to speed up the rhythm.

Juxtaposition

Placement of two elements closely together to emphasize differences.

Parallelism

Similarity in structure within a series of related words, phrases, or clauses.

Syndeton

Inclusion of multiple conjunctions between phrases or clauses to create a slowing effect.

Allusion

A reference to another text or historical event.

Anecdote

A short narrative used to illustrate or persuade based on personal experience.

Metaphor

A direct comparison that replaces one object with another.

Simile

A comparison that uses 'like' or 'as' to connect two disparate elements.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a vivid picture.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Euphemism

A mild or inoffensive expression substituted for one that may offend.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that juxtaposes contradictory terms.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that may reveal a truth.

Personification

Assigning human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

Rhetorical question

A question posed for effect, not intended to elicit an answer.

Metonymy

Substituting the name of one thing with an attribute associated with it.

Symbol

An object that represents an idea or theme.

Synecdoche

Using a part to represent the whole or vice versa.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or character.

Zeugma

Using a word with multiple meanings in a single context.

Claim of fact

An assertion that something is true or not, based on factual evidence.

Claim of value

An assertion that something is good or bad, right or wrong, based on evaluation.

Claim of policy

An assertion that suggests a course of action based on factual and value claims.

First-hand evidence

Evidence based on personal experience or knowledge.

Second-hand evidence

Evidence gathered from research and analysis, such as expert opinions or data.

Open thesis

An ambiguous claim that does not list all points to be discussed.

Closed thesis

A specific claim that includes a list of main points to be elaborated on.

Counter-argument

Acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint followed by a rebuttal.

Ad hominem

An attack on the character of the speaker rather than addressing the argument.

Appeal to false authority

Using a non-expert source as an authority on a subject.

Faulty analogy

Drawing an illogical comparison between two things.

Red herring

Introducing an unrelated topic to divert attention from the argument.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Assuming one thing causes another simply because it follows it.

Slippery slope

Arguing that one action will lead to extreme and undesirable outcomes.

Straw man

Oversimplifying an argument to refute it easily.

Bandwagon appeal

Claiming something is true or valid simply because it is popular.

Circular reasoning

Presenting the claim as its own evidence.

Hasty generalization

Drawing a broad conclusion from a small or insufficient sample.

Stack the deck

Presenting only one side of an argument to influence the audience.