The Language of Composition all terms

ad hominem

A fallacy that refers to the tactic of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker.

ad populum

A fallacy that occurs when evidence boils down to "everybody's doing it, so it must be a good thing to do."

example of ad populum?

You should vote to elect Rachel Johnson — she has a strong lead in the polls.

alliteration

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence.

example of alliteration?

“[L]et us go forth to lead the land we love . . .” — John F. Kennedy

allusion

A brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art.

example of allusion?

“Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah . . .” — John F. Kennedy

analogy

A comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things to explain something unfamiliar or complex.

example of analogy?

“As birds have flight, our special gift is reason.” — Bill McKibben

anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

example of anaphora?

“. . . not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need — not as a call to battle, though embattled we are . . .” — John F. Kennedy

anecdote

A brief story used to illustrate a point or claim.

annotation

The taking of notes directly on a text.

antimetabole

Repetition of words in reverse order.

example of antimetabole?

“[A]sk not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy

antithesis

Opposition or contrast of ideas or words in a parallel construction.

example of antithesis?

“[W]e shall . . . support any friend, oppose any foe . . .” — John F. Kennedy

appeal to false authority

A fallacy that occurs when someone without expertise is cited as an authority.

example of appeal to false authority?

According to former congressional leader Ari Miller, the Himalayas have an estimated Yeti population of between 300 and 500 individuals.

archaic diction

Old-fashioned or outdated choice of words.

example of archaic diction?

“. . . beliefs for which our forebears fought . . .” — John F. Kennedy

argument

A process of reasoned inquiry, resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.

Aristotelian triangle

A model that illustrates the interrelationship among the speaker, audience, and subject.

assertion

A statement that presents a claim or thesis.

assumption

An idea accepted as true without proof.

asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.

example of asyndeton?

“[W]e shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” — John F. Kennedy

audience

The listener, viewer, or reader of a text.

example of audience?

Gehrig’s audience was his teammates and fans in the stadium that day, but it was also the teams he played against, the fans listening on the radio, and posterity — us.

backing

In the Toulmin model, further assurances or data that supports the assumption.

bandwagon appeal

Another term for ad populum fallacy.

begging the question

A fallacy where a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt.

example of begging the question?

Giving students easy access to a wealth of facts and resources online allows them to develop critical thinking skills.

circular reasoning

A fallacy where the argument repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.

example of circular reasoning?

You can’t give me a C; I’m an A student!

claim

States the argument's main idea or position. It has to be arguable.

claim of fact

Asserts that something is true or not true.

example of claim of fact?

“The number of suicides and homicides committed by teenagers, most often young men, has exploded in the last three decades . . .” — Anna Quindlen

claim of policy

Proposes a change.

example of claim of policy?

“Yet one solution continues to elude us, and that is ending the ignorance about mental health, and moving it from the margins of care and into the mainstream where it belongs.” — Anna Quindlen

claim of value

Argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong.

example of claim of value?

“There’s a plague on all our houses, and since it doesn’t announce itself with lumps or spots or protest marches, it has gone unremarked in the quiet suburbs and busy cities where it has been laying waste.” — Anna Quindlen

classical oration

The five-part argument structure used by classical rhetoricians.

what is the first part of the classical oration? what does it do?

Introduction - introduces the reader to the subject under discussion.

what is another word for exordium?

Introduction

what is the second part of the classical oration? what does it do?

Narration - Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing.

what is another word for narratio?

Narration

what is the third part of the classical oration? what does it do?

Confirmation - Usually the major part of the text, the confirmation includes the proof needed to make the writer’s case.

what is another word for confirmatio?

Confirmation

what is the fourth part of the classical oration? what does it do?

Refutation - Addresses the counterargument. It is a bridge between the writer’s proof and conclusion.

what is another word for refutatio?

Refutation

what is the fifth part of the classical oration? what does it do?

Conclusion - Brings the essay to a satisfying close.

what is another word for peroratio?

Conclusion

closed thesis

A statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points.

complex sentence

Includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

compound sentence

Includes at least two independent clauses.

concession

Acknowledgment that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.

confirmation

The major part of an argument that provides the development of proof through evidence.

connotation

Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition.

examples of connotation?

That cat is plump. That cat is fat. That cat is obese.

context

The circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes, and events surrounding a text.

counterargument

An opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward.

cumulative sentence

Completes the main idea at the beginning and then builds and adds on.

deduction

A logical process of reaching a conclusion by starting with a general principle.

Deduction/syllogism example?

Exercise contributes to better health. Yoga is exercise. Yoga contributes to better health.

diction

A speaker's choice of words.

either/or (false dilemma)

A fallacy presenting two extreme options as the only possible choices.

example of either/or fallacy?

Either we agree to higher taxes, or our grandchildren will be mired in debt.

what is another word for either/or fallacy?

false dichotomy, false dilemma

enthymeme

A syllogism with one of the premises implied.

example of enthymeme?

You should take her class because I learned so much from her last year. (Implied premise: If you take her class, you will learn a lot too).

equivocation

A fallacy using a term with multiple meanings to misrepresent or deceive.

example of equivocation?

We will bring our enemies to justice, or we will bring justice to them.

ethos

Appeal to credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker.

ethos is greek for?

character

exordium

The introduction of an argument in classical oration.

fallacy

A potential vulnerability or weakness in an argument. (see l. f.)

false dilemma

Another term for either/or fallacy.

faulty analogy

A fallacy comparing two things that are not comparable.

figurative language (figure of speech)

Nonliteral language that often evokes strong imagery.

first-hand evidence

Evidence based on the writer's own knowledge or experience.

hasty generalization

A fallacy where a faulty conclusion is reached with inadequate evidence.

example of hasty generalization?

Smoking isn’t bad for you; my great aunt smoked a pack a day and lived to be 90.

hortative sentence

Sentence that urges or calls to action.

hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or comedic/ironic effect.

imagery

A description appealing to the senses.

imperative sentence

Sentence used to command or enjoin.

induction

Reasoning from particulars to universals.

example of induction?

specifics: Regular exercise promotes weight loss. Exercise lowers stress levels. Exercise improves mood and outlook.

generalization: Exercise contributes to better health.

inversion

Inverted order of words in a sentence.

what is the “normal” word order?

subject-verb-object

what is an “inverted” word order?

object-verb-subject

irony

A figure of speech where the intended meaning is opposite to what is said.

example of irony?

“Nature has become simply a visual form of entertainment, and it had better look snappy.” — Joy Williams

juxtaposition

Placement of two things close together to emphasize similarities or differences.

Loaded Language

logical fallacies

Potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. (has L, see f)

logos

Appeal to reason through clear, rational ideas and specific details.

what is logos greek for?

embodied thought

metaphor

A figure of speech comparing two things without using like or as.