Figures of Speech and Persuasive Speech Elements

Vocabulary flashcards covering rhetorical devices (oxymoron, synecdoche) and the structural components and rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) of a persuasive speech.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two words with opposite or contradictory meanings to create a special effect or express an idea (e.g., "bittersweet," "deafening silence," "living dead").

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part of something represents the whole or the whole represents a part (e.g., "hands" representing workers, "wheels" representing a car, "mouth" representing people).

Persuasive speech

A type of speech intended to convince an audience to believe an idea, agree with an opinion, or take a particular action, with the main purpose of changing or strengthening beliefs, attitudes, or behavior through convincing arguments and supporting evidence.

Introduction (Persuasive Speech)

The opening part of a persuasive speech that begins with a question, quotation, interesting fact, or situation, introduces the topic, and clearly states the speaker's position or stand.

Body (Persuasive Speech)

The section of a persuasive speech where the speaker presents two or three strong arguments, provides facts, examples, and evidence, and explains why the arguments are important.

Conclusion (Persuasive Speech)

The final part of a persuasive speech that restates the speaker's position, summarizes the strongest arguments, and ends with a memorable statement or call to action.

Ethos

An element of persuasion focused on the credibility or trustworthiness of the speaker, such as a doctor explaining the importance of proper hygiene.

Pathos

An element of persuasion that acts as an appeal to the audience's emotion, such as describing how pollution harms children and animals.

Logos

An element of persuasion centered on the use of facts, logic, and evidence, such as presenting reliable statistics or data about plastic waste.