Rhetorical Strategies Review

Flashcards reviewing rhetorical strategies and their appeals.

Statistics, ratios, numbers, percentages

Provides indisputable evidence to back up broad claims, demonstrating the enormity of a problem, progress made, or contrasting numbers.

"Cause/Effect" organization

Separates causes from effects, demonstrating the logic of the author's position and setting up a logical construct for the audience.

Concessions/Argument

Eases the reader into more confrontational arguments by establishing common ground or reasonableness.

Problem/Solution

Makes the problem clear and offers immediate solutions, particularly effective for audiences unfamiliar with the situation.

Juxtaposed presentation of ideas

Demonstrates an immediate and side-by-side contrast, emphasizing the concept the author wants to highlight.

Situational Irony

Points out the absurdity of a situation or belief, sometimes humorous, sometimes not, potentially easing tension.

Figurative language (Analogy/Metaphor/Simile/ Personification)

Creates vivid scenarios or comparisons to make complicated ideas clearer and appeal to emotions.

Allusions (indirect)

Provides historical, literary, cultural, religious, mythological context, connecting to the audience's emotions or shared belief systems, or demonstrating a precedent.

Anaphora or just ‘Repetition’

Emphasizes a particular idea, making it compelling and memorable through rhythmic writing.

Sensory Imagery: Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch

Creates a mental "picture" of degradation, wonder, beauty, etc., preventing the audience from looking away or sugarcoating the circumstances.

Historical Precedent

Roots the concept in history, demonstrating precursors to the current discussion and showing that the issue is not new or unheard of.

Personal Background (examples) or Anecdote (a story)

Provides an "eye witness" account, establishing credibility and connecting to emotions to demonstrate significance; makes the author seem like a participant.

Expert Opinion

Provides someone else's opinion to bolster assertions, preventing the audience from dismissing the author as too biased or ill-informed.

Hortative Language or Diction

Exhorts or motivates the audience to take action, especially common in a "Call to action."

Aphorism

Encapsulates an idea down to a memorable and "timeless" phrase, motivating, complimenting, or inspiring.

1st Person Inclusive P.O.V.: We, our, us

Demonstrates unity, togetherness, and camaraderie, preventing the audience from dismissing the author as a detached observer expecting "others" to act.

2nd Person POV: You

Accuses the listener, forcing a reckoning upon the audience and making them feel responsible.

Appeals to Shared Beliefs (Religion/Patriotism)

Creates unity and provides collective motivation, appealing to shared values.

Organizational strategy: Narrow to broad, Abstract to concrete, Local to global

Demonstrates the ubiquity or broad ramifications of a problem or situation, making it difficult to dismiss as isolated or easily solved.

Emotionally evocative diction / Contrasting diction

Creates an emotional effect on the audience such as sadness, happiness, pride, or disgust by using specific contrasting words and diction.

Rhetorical Questions

Demonstrates the author's dismay or frustration (without answers) or causes quick mental consideration (with answers), allowing the audience to feel the author's emotions and confront the question.

Emotionally evocative examples

Taps into a particular emotion to engage skeptical or disengaged audiences, and validate those who already agree.

Listing or enumeration

Demonstrates the enormity of a problem by providing specific examples rather than generalities, increasing the audience's trust.

Spatial arrangement

Demonstrates the significance of a particular idea, often in Compare/Contrast essays, where even arrangement might signify balance or an unsolved dilemma.