Rhetoric Terms

Ad hominem argument - An argument that attacks the integrity or character of an opponent rather than the merits of an issue. Informally known as "mudslinging"

What is "ad hominem" latin for? - "To the man"

Ad populum argument - A fallacious argument that appeals to the passions and prejudices of a group rather than its reason. Informally known as "bandwagon"

What is "ad populum" latin for? - "To the people"

Allusion - A reference to some famous literary work, historical figure, or event. MUST BE USED WITH CARE so the audience does not miss their meaning.

Analogy - A comparison that attempts to explain one idea or thing by likening it to another. These are useful if handled properly, but can be a source of confusion if the compared item are basically unalike.

Anaphora - The repetition of a group of words at the beginning of successive clauses

Anecdote - A brief narrative offered in a text to capture the audience's attention or to support a generalization or claim.

Argument - A line of reasoned inquiry. A persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement form a claim to a conclusion.

Begging the question - The situation that results when a writer or speaker constructs an argument on an assumption that the audience does not accept.

Claim - The ultimate conclusion, generalization, or point- backed up by support- of an argument. Coloquialism - A word or expression acceptable in informal usage but not in formal discourse. A given words may have a standard as well as a colloquial meaning.

Concession - An acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable. In a strong argument, concession is usually accompanied by a refutation challenging the validity of the opposing argument.

Connotation - The implication of emotion overtones of a word rather than its literal meaning. Counterargument - An opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward. Rather than ignoring a counterargument, a strong writer should address it through concession and refutation. Denotation - The literal or primary meaning of a word

Diction - The choice of words a writer uses. Implicit in the idea of diction is the vast vocabulary of synonyms. If only one word existed for every idea or condition, diction would not exist. The diction of skilled writer is determined by the audience and occasion of their writing.

Enthymeme - Shared assumption. An argument in which a premise or the conclusion is not explicitly stated.

Ethos - Speakers appeal to this to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic. This is established by who you are and what you say.

What is "ethos" greek for? - "character"

Evidence - The logical bases or supports for an assertion or idea. The statistics, facts, anecdotes and testimonial support provided by the writer in defense of the idea constitute the evidence. In research, evidence consisting of paraphrases or quotations from the work of other writers must be documented with citations.

Exigence - An urgent need or demand. What happens, or fails to happen. that compels on to speak. Generalization - A statement that asserts some broad truth based upon a knowledge of specific cases. Generalizations are the end product of inductive reasoning, where a basic truth may be inferred about a class after experience with a representative number of its members. One should, however, beware of rash or faulty generalizations- those made on insufficient experience or evidence.

Hyperbole - A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperbole's often have a comic effect, but a serious effect is also possible.

Kairos - the combination of the "right" moment to speak and the "right" way to speak.

Logical fallacy - Errors in reasoning used by speakers or writers, sometimes in order to mislead their audience. Most logical fallacies are based on insufficient evidence or faulty logic.

Logos - Speakers appeal to logos, or reason, by offering clear, rational ideas and using specific details, examples, facts, statistics, or expert testimony to back them up.

What is "logos" in greek? - "embodied thought"

Pathos - Speakers appeal to this to emotionally motivate their audience. More specific appeals to this might play on the audience's values, desires, and hopes, on the one hand, or fears and prejudices on the other.

What is "pathos" in greek? - "suffering" or "experience"

Parallelism - The principle of coherent writing requiring that coordinating elements be given the same grammatical form

Point of view - the perspective from which a piece of writing is developed.

What is (usually) the point of view in nonfiction? - The authors.

What are the possible points of view in fiction? - First, second or third.

Qualified argument - An argument that is not absolute. It acknowledges the merits of an opposing view but develops a stronger case for its own position.

Rebuttal - A voice to possible objections.

Red Herring - A side issue introduced into an argument in order to distract from the main argument.

Refutation - A denial of the validity of an opposing argument. A refutation often follows a concession that acknowledges that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.

Rhetorical question - A question posed with no expectation of receiving an answer. This device is often used in public speaking in order to launch or further discussion.

Slanting - The characteristic of selecting facts, words, or emphasis to achieve a preconceived intent.

Style - They way an author writes. The expression of an authors individuality though the use of word, sentence patterns, and selection of detail. Any of the choices writers make while writing- about diction, sentence length, structure, rhythm and figures of speech- that make their work sound like them.

Syntax - The order of words in a sentence and their relationship to each other. Good syntax requires correct grammar as well as effective sentence patterns, including unity, coherence, and emphasis. Synthesis - Combining two or more ideas in order to create something more complex in support of a new idea.

Tone - In every writing, tone is the refection of the writer's attitude toward the subject and audience. Transition - Words, phrases, sentences, or even paragraphs that indicate connections between the writers' ideas. These transitions provide landmarks to guide the reader from one idea to the next so that the reader will not get lost.

Time transition words: - soon, immediately, afterward, later, meanwhile, in the meantime

Place transition words: - near by, on the opposite side, further back, beyond Result transition words: - as a result, therefore, thus, as a consequence

Comparison transition words: - similarly, likewise, also

Contrast transition words: - on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless, by, yet, otherwise

Addition transition words: - furthermore, moreover, in addition, and, first, second third, finally Example transition words: - for example, for instance, to illustrate, as a matter of fact, on the whole, in other words

Understatement - A way of deliberately representing something as less than it is in order to stress its magnitude. Also called "litotes"

Voice - The presence of the sound itself, chosen by the author. Most good writing sounds like someone delivering a message. The aim is to sound natural. The voice will be affected by the audience and the occasion for writing. Voice is closely related to style.