Chapter 1: Rhetoric and the Elements of Style

Style

is the general manner of expression used in a text.

Pathos

is an appeal to the emotions, values, or desires of the audience.

Personification

is the figurative device in which inanimate objects or concepts are given the thoughts, feelings, or actions of a human.

Ethos

is an appeal to the speakers credibility- whether he or she is to be believed on the basis of his or her character and expertise.

Denotation

refers to a words primary or literal significance

connotation

refers to the vast range of other meanings that a word suggests.

Rhetorical strategies

describe how an author uses language to construct a text.

Hyperbole

is overstatement or exaggeration; it is the use of figurative language that significantly exaggerates the facts for effect.

Logos

is an appeal to reason and logic.

Understatement

is figurative language that presents the facts in a way that makes them appear much less significant than they really are.

Mood

describes how the text makes the audience feel.

Tone

describes the speakers attitude toward the subject.

catchy title

is a rhetorical strategy designed to capture the audiences attention.

Sarcasm

is simply verbal irony used with the intent to injure.

Circumlocation

is a form of communication in which the speaker's meaning is not directly expressed but implied, often through metaphors or other forms of figurative language.

euphemism

is a word or words that are used to avoid employing an unpleasant or offensive term.

Verbal irony

refers to the process of stating something but meaning the opposite of what is stated.

Irony

is a figure of speech in which words are used to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Situational Irony

refers to a circumstance that runs contrary to what was expected.

Figurative language

is strictly defined as speech or writing that departs from literal meaning to achieve a special effect or meaning.

Satire

something is portrayed in a way thats deliberately distorted to achieve comic effect.

Symbolism

is a concrete object that represents an abstract idea.

Imagery

in figurative language is when an author uses vivid or metaphorical language to create a mental image that helps readers visualize what's being described.

Rhetorical strategies

a broad term, including basic diction and syntax, as well as more complicated uses of figurative language.

Understatement

is almost always used for comic effect.

Syntax

________ in rhetorical strategies refers to the arrangement of words and phrases to achieve a desired effect.

X

This variable represents the specific rhetorical strategies an author uses

Y

This variable refers to how the rhetorical strategies in the text impact the audience

Audience

refers to the individuals the speaker is trying to persuade

Z

This variable represents a texts theme or argument

Simile

A simile is a comparison between two unlike objects, in which the two parts are connected with a term such as like or as

Metaphor

is a simile without a connecting term such as like or as

Extended Metaphor

is precisely what it sounds like-it is a metaphor that lasts for longer than just one phrase or sentence

Symbolism

is a concrete object that represents an abstract idea

Satire

something is portrayed in a way thats deliberately distorted to achieve comic effect

Rhetoric

are talking about language as a means of persuasion

**Diction**

will ask you to evaluate why an author’s choice of words is particularly effective, apt, or clear.

Context

(and at times, author’s intent) determines which connotations may be appropriate for a word. 

author

will carefully pick a particular word for its connotations, knowing or hoping a reader will make an additional inference as a result.

paradox

contains two elements which cannot both be true at the same time (although usually each one could be true on its own).

Mood

describes how the text makes the audience feel.