Rhetorical Terms Notes

Rhetorical Terms - First Set

Concrete / Abstract

• Concrete Nouns: Nouns that have physical, tangible properties.

  • Examples: Fence, Desk, Chair, Bench

• Abstract Nouns: Nouns that are conceptual and do not have physical properties.

  • Examples: Love, Truth, Beauty, Evil

  • Quote for Understanding: "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won…"

Rhetoric

• Definition: The technique of using language effectively and persuasively in speaking or writing.

• Key Definitions:

  • Aristotle: "The faculty of finding the available means of persuasion in a given case."

  • Joliffe & Covino: "The art of featuring content."

• Rhetorical Situation: Always analyze the text for the following:

  • Subject: The main topic.

  • Speaker: The voice or perspective of the text.

  • Audience: The intended readers or listeners.

Voice

• Definition: The unique “personality” of a text conveyed through word choices and style.

• Characteristics: A strong voice allows readers to identify the writer purely based on the text, suggesting the writer's personality is evident in their writing.

Thesis

• Definition: A statement that a writer intends to support or prove.

• Components:

  • Specifies the point being argued.

  • Provides a warrant identifying a universal truth to justify the claim.

Extended Metaphor

• Definition: An implicit comparison between two unrelated things that share common characteristics.

• Examples:

  • "My brother was boiling mad." (Implying extreme anger)

  • "The assignment was a breeze." (Implying it was easy)

  • "It is going to be clear skies from now on." (Implying a trouble-free future)

• Characteristics: Continues through several sentences/paragraphs or lines in a poem.

Connotation / Denotation

• Denotation: The strict dictionary definition of a word.

  • Example: "Cheap" means "at or for a low price."

• Connotation: The subtle, implied meanings or associations of a word.

  • Example: Calling something "cheap" may offend, while "inexpensive" sounds better. "Affordable" is another positive alternative.

Conflict

• Definition: A struggle between opposing forces within a text.

• Importance: Conflict drives the narrative forward and is essential for storytelling.

• Absence of Conflict: Without conflict, there is no story.

Propaganda

• Definition: The dissemination of rumors, false or correct information, or ideas to influence public opinion.

• Modern Example: Political memes on the Internet are often forms of propaganda.

• Relation to Rhetorical Appeals: Information that appeals primarily to Pathos, without Ethos or Logos, can be categorized as propaganda.

Rhetorical Terms - Set 2

Aristotleian Triangle

• Definition: A representation of Aristotle's idea that communication involves three critical elements: speaker, subject, and audience.

• Components: This triangle embodies the concepts of ETHOS (credibility), PATHOS (emotional appeal), and LOGOS (logical reasoning).

• Often referred to as the Rhetorical Situation.

Audience

• Role: One of the three elements of the Aristotleian Triangle.

• Importance in Communication: The effectiveness of a speech or text depends heavily on understanding the audience.

  • Choices in writing should be influenced by audience characteristics.

• Connection to Pathos: The emotional appeal (PATHOS) is closely tied to the audience's demographics, values, and perceptions.

Speaker

• Definition: One-third of the Rhetorical Triangle; refers to the individual delivering a speech or writing a text.

• Literary Aspect: In literature, the speaker is the created voice in narration.

• Characteristics:

  • Must appeal to the audience (ETHOS).

  • Should be knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Analogy

• Definition: A comparison between two dissimilar things to clarify or explain an idea.

• Purpose: Aims to make complex ideas more relatable to the audience by drawing parallels with familiar concepts.

• Examples: Metaphors and similes are common forms of analogy.

  • Example: "The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving around the sun."

Point of View

• Definition: The narrative perspective through which a story is told.

• Types:

  • 1st Person: Uses "I" or "we"

  • 2nd Person: Uses "you"

  • 3rd Person: Uses "he," "she," or "they"

• Significance: Influences reader engagement and proximity to the narrative events.

Anecdote

• Definition: A brief and engaging story or event, often humorous, used to illustrate a point.

• Purpose: Enhances the narrative by making it relatable or entertaining.

• Examples in Comedy: Comedians often include anecdotes in their routines, such as those used by Marc Maron and John Mulaney.

Mood / Atmosphere

• Definition: The emotional setting created by a text, which influences how readers feel.

• Components: Shaped by word choice, descriptions, and narrative structure.

• Difference from Tone:

  • Tone: Reflects the author's attitude towards the subject.

  • Mood: Represents the emotional response of the reader to the text.

Persona

• Definition: The voice or character assumed by the writer to convey their message.

• Literary Style: Poets and writers create personas to express thoughts and feelings while providing some distance from the subject.

• Comparison: The relationship between the persona and the writer is akin to that between an actor and their character in a play.

Allegory

• Definition: A narrative in which abstract ideas or principles are represented through characters, figures, and events.

• Example: George Orwell's "Animal Farm," which uses animals to symbolize aspects of Russian society and critique the Russian Revolution.

• Purpose: Clarifies complex social and political commentary through a more accessible narrative form

SYNECDOCHE

A literary device in which a part of something represents the whole.

For instance, when someone says, “Who’s got wheels?” when they mean car is an example of synecdoche.

Saying “boots on the ground” means soldiers, not just the boots alone.

MOTIF

SYNECDOCHE
A literary device in which a par

g represents the whole.
For instance, when someone says,
“Who’s got wheels?” when they mean
car is an example of synecdoche.
Saying “boots on the ground” means
soldiers, not just the boots alone.