Rhetoric Quiz Study Guide

Rhetorical Fallacies

• Ad Misericordiam

  • Definition: An appeal to pity or emotions.
  • Usage: Argues for a conclusion based on sympathy rather than logical reasoning.

• Bandwagon Appeal

  • Definition: A persuasive technique that encourages belief or action because of popularity.
  • Usage: Implies that one should "join the crowd" or follow the majority.

• Celebrity Endorsement

  • Definition: A marketing strategy where a celebrity endorses a product, idea, or cause.
  • Usage: Suggests trustworthiness or quality derived from the celebrity's influence.

• Faulty Cause & Effect

  • Definition: A logical fallacy incorrectly assuming a cause-effect relationship.
  • Example: Claiming that event A caused event B without evidence.

• Glittering Generalities

  • Definition: A propaganda technique using vague, positive statements that lack real substance.
  • Purpose: Evokes approval without providing meaningful content.

• Hasty Generalization

  • Definition: Drawing a conclusion based on limited or biased evidence.
  • Example: Making broad statements from insufficient examples.

• Plain Folks

  • Definition: A rhetorical device that presents an argument as relatable from an average person.
  • Purpose: Enhances credibility by downplaying expertise.

• Slippery Slope

  • Definition: Suggests small actions will lead to catastrophic outcomes.
  • Warning: Often presented without proof of an inevitable chain of events.

• Testimonial

  • Definition: Persuasive argument supported by a personal experience of an authority figure.

Words to Know

• Violence

  • Definition: Use of force or threats in rhetoric for intimidation or coercion.

• Contempt

  • Definition: Expression of disrespect or disdain, often ridiculing an opponent's argument.

Rhetorical Devices

• Repetition

  • Definition: Repeating words or phrases to emphasize a point.

• Hyperbole

  • Definition: Exaggerated statements for emphasis.
  • Note: Not meant to be taken literally.

• Logos

  • Definition: Rhetorical appeal to logic and reason using facts and statistics.

• Metaphor

  • Definition: Compares two unlike things by stating one is another.
  • Purpose: Clarifies ideas through comparative language.

• Pathos

  • Definition: Rhetorical appeal to emotion aiming to evoke feelings such as empathy or fear.

• Personification

  • Definition: Assigning human qualities to non-human things to create imagery.

• Emotion

  • Definition: Appeals aimed at evoking feelings like fear, anger, or happiness.

• Ethos

  • Definition: Rhetorical appeal to speaker's credibility, establishing trust and authority with the audience.