unit 7 lang vocab

narrative distance

• the only one factor that shapes a writer’s interpretation of an event

• in some cases, the meaning of an experience will change as the writer’s perspective, values, and beliefs shift and develop over time

• a writer may discover a deeper understanding, even if the specific sensory details get blurrier

• respective immediacy of the context to both the writer and the audience

bias

• play an important role

• function much like cognitive blind spots: by themselves, these biases are not indicators of dishonesty or incompetence

• all writer have

• just because a writer reveals, does not automatically discredit him or her

writer

• part of the rhetorical situation

• connected with context

• connected with audience

• part of narrative distance

context

• part of the rhetorical situation

• connected with writer

• connected with audience

• part of narrative distance

audience

• part of the rhetorical situation

• connected with context

• connected with writer

introduction

• some clues can be found

• where the writer contextualizes the event, as well as his or her purpose for writing

• may orient, engage, or focus the audience by presenting the following:

• quotations

• intriguing statements

• anecdotes

• questions

• statistics

• data

• contextualized information

• a scenario

conclusion

• to find the writer’s ultimate perspective or realization and understanding of the event

• may engage or focus the audience by

• explaining the significance of the argument within a broader context

• making connections

• calling on the audience to act

• suggesting a change in behavior or attitude

• proposing a solution

• leaving the audience with a compelling iamge

• explaining implications

• summarizing the argument, or connecting to the introduction

qualify

• using words, phrases, and clauses as modifiers

• modifiers help finely tune the meaning of a sentence by specifying key details, limiting the scope of the information, and anticipating potential objections

• with words

• with phrases

• with clauses

• some words clearly indicate a qualification. others depend on context

• certain phrases can signal or introduce a qualification

• writers can also embed a qualification within a subordinate clause

• signaling qualification:

• almost

• at times

• barely

• certainly

• conversely

• could

• frequently

• hints at

• if

• majority

• may be

• might

• nevertheless

• often

• otherwise

• possibly

• potentially

• precisely

• probably

• sledom

• some

• sometimes

• somewhat

• supposedly

• usually

• very

• depending on

• more or less

• to some context

• up to a point

• although

• because

• even though

concession

• writers may strategically choose to recognize a valid claim or compelling reason in an opposing viewpoint

• not all writers qualify their arguments with a concession

• writer can boost their credibility, pivot to another reason in their argument, or reveal a critical mistake in their opponent’s perspective

comparison and contrast

• evaluation arguments requires it as a writer considers, refines, and qualifies her or her argument

• form basis of the writer’s evaluation and recommendation

• organized subject by subject or category by category

• to analyze two or more similar subjects, people, places, events, and ideas

• usually highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each subject, allowing the writer to make a comparative judgement

• must reveal insight, information, or a new perspective

• writers need a reason to compare and contrast

• must compare the same categories for each subject; categories of comparison must be relevant to a claim or thesis

• in an evaluation argument, this pattern of development should lead to a larger judgment, conclusion, or recommendation

• without this larger claim, the writer is merely listing similarities and differences, not making an argument

• subject by subject organization: a writer examines all the categories of comparison for one subject and then does the same for the next subject

• these comparisons will either support a claim stated in the introduction or lead to a claim in the conclusion of the argument

• analysis can either support a claim in the introduction or lead to a claim in the conclusion

• category by category organization: a writer compares each subject within each category sequentially

• both are logical and effective

• may strategically choose one approach over another, depending on his or her purpose within a rhetorical situation

• abstract> rather than literal

• categories should be parallel and consistent for each subject

syntax

contributes to the unity of an argument

unity

the state of being united or joined as a whole

• syntax contributes

diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing