IB Lang Techniques

Ethos

A persuasive technique that appeals to the audience's trust by establishing the writer's credibility and character.

Pathos

Appeals to the audience's emotions in order to persuade them.

Logos

Utilizes logic and reasoning, often through facts and statistics, to persuade the audience.

Anecdotal Evidence

Using personal stories or anecdotes to back up claims or arguments.

Expert Opinion

Quoting the opinions of credible experts to lend authority to a writer's position.

Statistical Evidence

Using statistics to strengthen an argument, though often subject to misrepresentation.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Repetition

The deliberate use of the same word or phrase multiple times for emphasis.

Cumulation

Using a series of similar words to emphasize a point.

Alliteration

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences.

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences.

Parallelism

The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in construction.

Understatement

A figure of speech that intentionally makes a situation seem less important than it is.

Expletive

A word or phrase added for emphasis that does not alter the meaning of the sentence.

Invective

Harsh, abusive language used to attack or criticize.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, as inferred from the text.

Colloquial Language

Informal language or slang that is used in everyday conversation.

Inclusive Language

Language that aims to directly address and include the reader.

Diction

The choice of words and style of expression used by a writer.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Euphemism

A milder or less direct term used to replace one that may be considered harsh or offensive.

Ambiguity

The presence of two or more possible meanings within a word or phrase.

Analogy

A comparison between two different things to highlight some form of similarity.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.

Imagery

Language that evokes sensory experience and creates mental images.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison between two unrelated things.

Metonymy

Substituting the name of one object for another closely associated with it.

Symbolism

Using symbols to represent larger ideas or concepts.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole or vice versa.

Concession

Acknowledging opposing viewpoints to strengthen one's own argument.

Appeal to Authority

Quoting an authority figure to support an argument.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not requiring an answer.

Irony

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite.

Testimonial

Using quotes or endorsements from others to support an argument.

Bandwagon

Encouraging acceptance of an idea by claiming that it is popular or widely endorsed.

Name Calling

Attacking an opponent's character instead of their argument.

Card Stacking

Presenting only facts that support one side of an argument.

Hypophora

Asking a question and immediately answering it.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical device where two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures.

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas presented in balanced phrases.

Asyndeton

The deliberate omission of conjunctions in a series of related clauses.

Polysyndeton

The use of several conjunctions in close succession.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements close together to highlight their differences.

Tricolon

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