Unit 4: Structural Choices and Argument Development

Rhetorical Choice

A strategic decision a writer makes to craft an argument, including introduction structure, evidence selection, and conclusion.

Rhetorical Situation

The interplay between the speaker, audience, and subject that influences the writer's choices.

Exigence

The catalyst or reason that compels the writer to write at a particular moment.

Audience

The specific group that the writer seeks to persuade or inform.

Purpose

The intended outcome or action the writer wants the audience to take or believe.

Thesis Statement

The central argument that serves as an anchor for an essay, consisting of observation, stance, and reasoning.

Observation

The main subject or context around which an argument is built.

Stance

The writer's specific position or argument regarding the observation.

'Because' clause

The component of a thesis that outlines the reasoning for the writer's stance.

Development

The process of curating evidence to build a persuasive argument tailored to the audience.

Anecdote

A brief personal or historical story used to evoke emotion in the audience.

Expert Testimony

Credible quotes or ideas from recognized authorities used to enhance the writer's ethos.

Quantitative Data

Statistics and figures that appeal to the audience's logic (logos).

Analogy/Hypothetical

A comparison or scenario that clarifies complex concepts for general audiences.

Commentary

Analysis that accompanies evidence to explain its relevance and connection to the thesis.

Evidence-Commentary Ratio

Guideline suggesting at least two sentences of commentary for every sentence of evidence.

Funnel Method

An introduction structure that starts with broad context and narrows down to the specific argument.

Hook

A strategy used in the introduction to engage the audience's interest.

Paradox

A contradictory situation presented to intrigue the audience and frame the essay's argument.

Reverse Funnel

Conclusion structure that broadens from the specific thesis to general implications.

So What?

A critical component of the conclusion that explains the argument's significance beyond the text.

Call to Action

A direct appeal to the audience for specific behavior or response.

Circular Conclusions

Ending a piece by merely reiterating the thesis without engaging the reader's thoughts.

Weak Contextualization

Using overly broad statements in introductory sections instead of specific context.

Book Report Trap

The mistake of summarizing rather than analyzing the writer’s choices and intentions.

Disconnected Evidence

Presenting evidence without making clear its relevance to the audience or argument.