Rhetorical Analysis Vocabulary: Key Concepts and Definitions

Analysis

the separating of material into its constituent elements and determining its essential features and their relations

Argumentation

the act of using reasons to justify claims.

Syllogism

a logical argument in which a conclusion is inferred from two premises. It's a form of deductive reasoning.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form.

Ellipsis

omission of one or more words for conciseness and effect.

Asyndeton

omission of conjunction before the last item in a series.

Allegory

a story in which things and people represent something entirely other—an idea or a philosophy.

Simple Sentence

subject-verb.

Compound Sentence

2 independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

Complex Sentence

independent clause and dependent clause.

Antecedent

a word, phrase, clause, or sentence, to which another word (especially a pronoun) refers.

Nostalgia

a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.

Enumeration

the listing of things; to list one thing after another in prose.

Dichotomy

a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

Hypophora

Asking a question and then answering that same question.

Rebuttal

merely a response to the counterargument, advancing your side of an issue--may not be effective, may not prove someone or something wrong.

Refutation

to use evidence to prove a counterargument is wrong--this is done in response to another argument.

Concession

acknowledging other points of view--admitting that the opposition has a good point.

Message (Rhetorical Situation Component)

the subject matter of a work of rhetoric.

Exigence (Rhetorical Situation Component)

the provocation (or reason) to make the argument or work of rhetoric.

Purpose (Rhetorical Situation Component)

what writer or speaker hopes to achieve by writing or giving a speech.

Audience (Rhetorical Situation Component)

awareness of the specific, intended audience of a work of rhetoric.

Context (Rhetorical Situation Component)

The time, place, occasion, or other relevant contextual information about the moment of the work of rhetoric.

Writer/speaker (Rhetorical Situation Component)

Our awareness of how the writer or speaker's perceptions, or perspective, governs the text.