3 Rhetoric Flashcards
What is rhetoric?
Rhetoric is the art of persuading someone to see things your way.
What is the difference between proof and persuasion?
Proof shows something is true, while persuasion tries to convince someone to believe it.
What is clarity?
Clarity means using words and sentences in a way that is easy to understand and avoids confusion.
What is vagueness?
Vagueness means using words that are not precise, like ‘big,’ ‘small,’ or ‘fast.’
What is ambiguity?
Ambiguity means using words or sentences that can have more than one meaning.
What is generality?
Generality means making statements that are too broad and don’t give enough specific information.
Why are definitions important?
Definitions help us avoid confusion and communicate clearly.
What are the different types of definitions?
Some definitions tell us what a word usually means, some explain complicated ideas, and some are used to persuade.
What is a rhetorical definition?
A rhetorical definition uses words in a way that appeals to emotions and tries to persuade.
What is credibility?
Credibility means believing someone because they are knowledgeable, truthful, and accurate.
What is an interested party?
An interested party is someone who has something to gain from what they are saying.
What is expertise?
Expertise means having special knowledge and skills because of study and practice.
Why should we be careful about believing experts?
Just because someone is an expert doesn’t mean they are always right.
What are the three modes of persuasion?
The three modes of persuasion are ethos (trustworthiness), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logic and reasoning).
What is the difference between logic and rhetoric?
Logic uses reasoning to prove something, while rhetoric uses persuasion to win someone over.
What are rhetorical devices?
Rhetorical devices are tricks of language that try to persuade us by using emotions, humor, or exaggeration.
What are some examples of rhetorical devices?
Examples include euphemisms, dysphemisms, stereotypes, and hyperbole.
What are proof surrogates?
Proof surrogates are words or phrases that sound like proof but don’t actually provide any evidence.
How can images be used to persuade?
Images can be persuasive but can also be misleading.
Why is it important to be a critical thinker?
Being a critical thinker helps us ask questions, think carefully, and make our own decisions.
What is the difference between a claim and an argument?
A claim is a statement of fact, while an argument provides a reason to believe that claim.
How can we evaluate the credibility of a claim?
We can evaluate credibility by considering the source, evidence, and whether it makes sense based on our knowledge.
What are some common fallacies in argumentation?
Common fallacies include straw man, ad hominem, slippery slope, and false cause.
How can we become better critical thinkers?
We can learn about arguments and fallacies, practice evaluating claims, and challenge assumptions.
Why is critical thinking important?
Critical thinking helps us make informed decisions, solve problems, and think creatively.
