Tools of Persuasion and Rhetorical Techniques (Notes)

flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes on persuasion and rhetorical techniques.

Ethos

Persuasive appeal based on the author's image or reputation to gain the audience's trust.

Pathos

Persuasive appeal to emotions; evokes pity or sorrow; over-emotionalism can be a risk.

Logos

Persuasive appeal based on logic, statistics, and reasons; the process of reasoning.

Evidence

Support for an argument; main types include Expert Opinion, Statistical Evidence, and Anecdotal Evidence.

Expert Opinion

Quoting or citing authorities to bolster credibility; similar to testimony in a court case.

Statistical Evidence

Use of statistics to support a claim; can be misused if out of context or from unreliable sources.

Anecdotal Evidence

Personal stories or anecdotes used as evidence to back a claim.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Syntax

The arrangement of words to form phrases, clauses, and sentences; affects perception.

Repetition

Repeating a word, phrase, or sentence for emphasis or effect.

Cumulation

Using several similar words in a short space to give weight to an idea.

Alliteration

Repetition of the initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structures in phrases or sentences to create balance.

Understatement

Ironically presenting something as less significant than it is; often humorous.

Expletive

A word or short phrase inserted to emphasize surrounding words (e.g., indeed, certainly).

Invective

A verbally violent, emotionally charged attack using abusive language.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the material or audience.

Undertone

An attitude beneath the surface of the apparent tone.

Colloquial Language

Informal, everyday speech; can signal group identity or be used sarcastically.

Inclusive Language

Directly addresses the reader as part of a group (us, we, you, our).

Synthetic Personalization

Addressing mass audiences as individuals through inclusive language (second person usage).

Diction

Word choice that reinforces meaning and tone.

Connotation

Implied or associative meaning of a word beyond its literal sense.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word.

Euphemism

A milder or more acceptable term for something unpleasant.

Lexical Cluster

A group of words related to a particular idea or domain.

Ambiguity

Language with multiple possible meanings; can be deliberate or accidental.

Analogy

A comparison between two things to explain or clarify.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or humorous effect.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell).

Metaphor

A figure of speech that implies a comparison between unlike things without using like or as.

Metonymy

Substituting the name of one object with something closely associated with it.

Symbol/Symbolism

Something that represents itself and stands for something broader or abstract.

Synecdoche

A part stands for the whole, or the whole for a part; a form of metonymy.

Concession

Acknowledging the opposing view or part of an argument.

Appeal to Authority

Citing a respected person or event to lend credibility to an argument.

Facts

Data or statistics used to support a claim.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect with an obvious answer; not meant to be answered.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions to accelerate rhythm or emphasize relationships.

Polysyndeton

Use of multiple conjunctions in a place where they are not strictly necessary.

Bandwagon

Persuading by suggesting that many people are doing something.

Irony

A figure of speech involving a contrast between apparent meaning and underlying meaning.

Testimonial

Using quotes from experts, celebrities, or ordinary people to persuade.

Name Calling

Attacking an opponent or competitor to make one's own argument seem better.

Card Stacking

Presenting only one side’s facts to mislead or persuade.

Hypophora

Asking one or more questions and then answering them, often at length.

Chiasmus

A criss-cross parallelism where the order of terms is inverted in the second clause.

Antithesis

Presenting two contrasting ideas in balanced opposition.

Juxtaposition

Placing two ideas, characters, or images near each other for comparison.

Tricolon

A series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.