Key Rhetorical Terms and Concepts

rhetoric

The art of persuasion in writing or speech.

syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

rhetoric

The art of persuasion in writing or speech.

syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

diction

A writer's or speaker's choice of words.

tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.

audience

The intended readers or listeners of a piece of writing or speech.

discourse

Written or spoken communication.

logos

An appeal to logic and reason in an argument.

pathos

An appeal to emotions in persuasion.

ethos

An appeal to credibility and ethics in persuasion.

syllogism

A logical structure that uses premises to reach a conclusion.

logical fallacy

An error in reasoning that weakens an argument.

connotation

The implied or associated meaning of a word beyond its literal definition.

metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.

alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in close succession.

assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.

hyperbole

An exaggerated statement used for emphasis or effect.

anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

antithesis

A rhetorical device that contrasts opposing ideas in a balanced manner.

rhetorical question

A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer.

metonymy

A figure of speech where something is referred to by a related concept.

synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole.

anecdote

A short, personal story used to illustrate a point.

direct address

Speaking directly to the audience using second-person pronouns.

personification

Giving human traits to non-human objects or ideas.

allusion

A brief reference to a historical, literary, or cultural figure or event.

analogy

A comparison between two things to explain or clarify.

simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

irony

A contrast between expectation and reality.

figurative language

Language that goes beyond the literal meaning to express ideas creatively.

periodic sentence

A sentence where the main idea comes at the end for emphasis.

cumulative sentence

A sentence that begins with the main idea and adds details.

asyndeton

The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.

polysyndeton

The use of multiple conjunctions in close succession.

refutation

The act of disproving an opposing argument.

play on words (pun)

A humorous or clever use of words with multiple meanings.

understatement

A figure of speech that makes something seem less important than it is.

exigence

An issue or situation that prompts someone to speak or write.

ad hominem

An attack on the person rather than the argument.

ad populum (bandwagon)

An appeal to popularity as a form of argument.

hasty generalization

A conclusion based on insufficient evidence.

faulty causality (post hoc propter hoc)

Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second.

red herring

A distraction from the main issue.

slippery slope

An argument that claims one step will inevitably lead to a negative chain reaction.

false dichotomy (either/or)

Presenting only two options when more exist.

appeal to authority

Using an authority figure's opinion as evidence without further reasoning.

appeal to ignorance

Arguing that something is true because it has not been proven false.