English Unit 3 Test

Rhetoric- the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques

Rhetorical question- a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer

Argument- a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong

Aphorism- a pithy observation that contains a general truth,

Precedent- an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

Distortion- the action of giving a misleading account or impression

Pun- a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings

Anaphora-the use of a word referring to or replacing a word used earlier in a sentence, to avoid repetition

Epanalepsis- a rhetorical device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning and the end of a sentence or clause

Euphemism- a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Parallelism- the state of being parallel or of corresponding in some way

Historical context- the social, political, cultural, and economic conditions that existed at a particular time and place, which can influence events, ideas, and works of art or literature.  

Rhetorical Triangle - Speaker -> Audience-> Message/Purpose

Aristotle’s Appeals: Ethos - ethics (establishing credentials) , Pathos- pity (emotional responses), Logos- logic (reason and facts)

Description

• Definition: Writing that aims to create a vivid picture of a person, place, object, or event through detailed sensory information.

• Characteristics:

  • Uses rich adjectives and adverbs

  • Engages the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)

  • Focuses on creating an emotional or sensory experience for the reader

  • Often found in poetry, fiction, and descriptive essays

2. Narration

• Definition: Writing that tells a story or recounts events, often involving characters, a plot, and a setting.

• Characteristics:

  • Structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end

  • Includes elements like conflict, climax, and resolution

  • Can be first-person or third-person perspective

  • Common in novels, short stories, and autobiographies

3. Persuasion

• Definition: Writing that aims to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action.

• Characteristics:

  • Uses logical arguments, emotional appeals, and ethical considerations

  • Often includes a clear thesis statement or argument

  • Employs rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques (e.g., ethos, pathos, logos)

  • Common in opinion pieces, advertisements, and speeches

4. Exposition

• Definition: Writing that aims to explain, inform, or clarify a topic, providing factua information and analysis.

• Characteristics:

  • Objective and clear, avoiding personal opinions

  • Structured with an introduction, body, and conclusion

  • Uses evidence, examples, and definitions to support explanations

  • Common in textbooks, articles, and informative essays

Theme- an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature.

Diction- the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing

Syntax - the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

Symbolism- the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Tone- the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc

Mood- a temporary state of mind or feeling.

Denotation- the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests

Connotation- an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

Dialogue- conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie 

Imagery - 

Visual/Sight, - what you see

Auditory/Hearing, - what you hear 

Olfactory/Smell, - what you smell

Tactile/Touch, what you touch

Gustatory/Taste - what you taste

Figurative language - the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison

Simile, - a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid

Metaphor, - a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Personification, - the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

Hyperbole, - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

 Understatement - the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

 The Enlightenment (The Age of Reason): Logos- followed the belief in opinions based on reason rather than religious beliefs and emotion.
 

1. “What is an American?” by J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur – born in France, lived/studied in England for 7 years, emigrated to Canada then to America, wrote Letters From an American Farmer - a compilation of 12 “fictional” letters describing life in America 

Speaker- J.Hector, Audience- non-americans/ immigrants who may want to move to america, Purpose- to evaluate the differences between his life in America and Europe,Pathos appeal , devices used- rhetorical questions; aphorism; parallelism, theme- American identity such as the “American Dream”, historical context- a time of rapid change and growth in the states

2. Speech at the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry -- see your P. Henry packet 

Speaker- Patrick Henry, Audience- 2nd Virginia Convention Purpose- to persuade to go to war with Great Britain, Ethos and Pathos appeal, devices used- argument; precedent; complement, theme-the urgency of fighting for liberty, historical context- before the outbreak of revolutionary war but during the time britain moved forces into the states

3. “The Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson – proponent of American independence, drafted the declaration, 3rd president 

Speaker- thomas jefferson, Audience- King George of Great Britain, Purpose- to inform Great Britain of their wrongdoing and declare war, Logos appeal, theme- the assertion of natural right and the right to self- governing, historical context- a revolutionary document drafted during the American Revolution

4. “In Praise of the F Word” by Mary Sherry - educator, writer, and mother; essay on failure published in Newsweek magazine in 1991

Speaker- Mary Sherry, Audience- Parents, Purpose- to persuade readers of the benefit of the fear of failure, ethos and logos appeal, devices used- Historical context, distortion, euphemism , theme- necessity of failure as a motivator for success, historical context- No Child Left Behind Act