Unit 1 Rhetorical Terms

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 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 source material is implemented through quotes, paraphrases, summaries

Line of reasoning:

the logical sequence 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