RA 3 Vocab List

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. It goes like this:  (1) All dogs are mammals. (2) Mingo is a dog. (3) Therefore, Mingo is a mammal

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. Ex. “Youth is a blunder; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.”  (The word “is” is omitted after the first clause.)

Asyndeton

omission of conjunction before the last item in a series. Ex. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people…”

Allegory

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

Simple Sentence

subject-verb (I went to the store.)

Compound Sentence

2 independent clauses joined by a conjunction (I went to the store, and I bought candy.)

Complex Sentence

independent clause and dependent clause (While traveling to the store, I saw my friend.)

Antecedent

a word, phrase, clause, or sentence, to which another word (especially a pronoun) refers. *“Mike* lost his penguin and he can't find it.”

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. “What did you come here for? To learn how to have a good time!”

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. When a rebuttal is absolutely effective, it becomes a refutation.

Concession

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

Message

the subject matter of a work of rhetoric.

Exigence

the provocation (or reason) to make the argument or work of rhetoric. Why did the writer give this speech?

Purpose

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

Audience

awareness of the specific, intended audience of a work of rhetoric—awareness of the traits and perspectives of this audience.

Context

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

Writer/speaker

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