IB English Persuasive Techniques & Rhetorical Devices

Ethos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

Pathos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions.

Logos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience based on statistics, facts, and reasons.

Evidence

Writers use evidence to make their argument stronger and bolster their credibility.

Expert Opinion

To make a writer's position seem more credible, they may quote the opinions of experts that correspond with their own.

Statistical Evidence

Statistics can be used to make an argument seem more conclusive, a writer's opinion more valid.

Anecdotal Evidence

An anecdote is a tale involving real life events, a true story that can be used by writers as evidence to back their claims.

Syntax

The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences.

Repetition

When used sparingly for effect, it can reinforce the writer's message and/or entertain the reader.

Cumulation

Using many similar words in a short space can give weight to the idea being expressed.

Alliteration

The repetition of the first sound in consecutive words, which draws attention to the words in question.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence.

Epistrophe

A word or phrase repeated at the end of consecutive lines.

Parallelism

The technique of arranging words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures by placing them side by side and making them similar in form.

Parallel Construction

Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

Understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant than it is, often with a humorous effect.

Expletive

A figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase interrupts normal speech to lend emphasis to the words on either side.

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.

Irony

Present if the writer's words contain more than one meaning, often used to emphasize an implied meaning under the surface.

Testimonial

Using words of an expert, a famous person, or a regular 'Joe' to persuade.

Bandwagon

Persuades people to do something by letting them know others are all doing it.

Name Calling

Describing poor aspects of a competitor's argument/product to make one's own argument/product seem better.

Card Stacking

Telling the facts for one side only.

Hypophora

A figure of reasoning in which one or more questions are asked and then answered by the same speaker.

Chiasmus

A figure of speech in which two successive phrases or clauses are parallel in syntax but reverse the order of the analogous words.

Antithesis

The presentation of two contrasting ideas, balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.

Asyndeton

Refers to the omission of a conjunction from a series of related clauses to accelerate a passage and emphasize the significance of the relation.

Polysyndeton

A figure of speech in which several conjunctions are used to join connected clauses where they are not contextually necessary.

Analogy

Comparing one situation to another.

Hyperbole

Completely overstating and exaggerating your point for effect.

Imagery

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object. Imagery involves any or all of the five senses.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. A news release that claims 'the White House declared' rather than 'the President declared' is using metonymy.

Symbol/symbolism

Generally, anything that represents itself and stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete - such as object, action, character, or scene - that represents something more abstract.

Synecdoche

A type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole, the whole for a part, the genus for the species, the species for the genus, the material for the thing made, or in short, any portion, section, or main quality for the whole or the thing itself (or vice versa).

Concession

Acknowledging the opposition's main idea.

Appeal to Authority

A writer may mention an important event or person in an essay to lend importance or credibility to his/her argument. 'According to...'

Facts

Using statistics or data to support an argument.

Rhetorical Question

Sometimes a writer or speaker will ask a question to which no answer is required. The answer is obvious so the reader has no choice but to agree with the writer's point.

Tone

Similar to mood, tone describes the author's attitude toward his material, the audience, or both.

Undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece. Under a cheery surface, for example, a work may have threatening undertones.

Colloquial Language

Refers to the usage of informal or everyday language. This slang can be used in different ways.

Inclusive Language

Inclusive language aims to directly address the reader, either personally or as a member of a shared group.

Synthetic Personalization

The process of addressing mass audiences as though they were individuals through inclusive language usage.

Diction (Word Choice)

Is a person 'slim' or 'skinny'? Is an oil spill an 'incident' or an 'accident'? Is a government expenditure an 'investment' or a 'waste'? Writers reinforce their arguments by choosing words.

Connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.

Denotation

The actual meaning of the word.

Euphemism

A more acceptable or usually a more acceptable way of saying something uncomfortable (i.e. collateral damage instead of civilian death).

Lexical Cluster

Words pertaining to a particular group or idea.

Ambiguity

Use of language in which multiple meanings are possible. Ambiguity can be unintentional through insufficient focus on the part of the writer; in good writing, ambiguity is frequently intentional.

Justaposition

As a literary technique, the definition of juxtaposition is to place two concepts, characters, ideas or places bearing or next to each other so that the reader will compare and contrast them.

Epistrophe

A figure of speech that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. The definition of epistrophe is opposite to that of anaphora, which is the repetition of words at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Tricolon

A rhetorical term for a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.