Language Analasis, Persuasive Devices

Question 1

What is an Ad hominem attack ?

Answer 1

When denigrating an individual or group

Question 2

What is an Alliteration ?

Answer 2

repetition of a consonant, especially at the start of words

Question 3

What is begging the question ?

Answer 3

Bases an argument on a premise that is the same as the conclusion.
E.g;
- ‘its in the news because its a big deal’
- ‘its a big deal because its in the news’

Question 4

What is a cliché ?

Answer 4

An overused phrase or opinion that betrays a lack of original thought
E.g;
- ‘A woman’s place is in the home’

Question 5

What are connotations and loaded words ?

Answer 5

ideas or feelings which a words evoke in addition to their primary or ‘dictionary’ meanings

Question 6

What is deductive reasoning ?

Answer 6

Draws on general rules or ideas about a group to form a conclusion about one small part of that group

Question 7

What is an analogy ?

Answer 7

Compares two things to lead the audience to draw conclusions based on their similarities

Question 8

What is an anecdote ?

Answer 8

Short account or story - often entertaining; provides a human angle that engages the reader; can convey information

Question 9

What is emotive language ?

Answer 9

Deliberate use of strong words and phrases to arouse the reader’s feelings and so manipulate them to agree

Question 10

What is use of evidence ?

Answer 10

The use of facts and figures to provide rational, scientific ‘proof’ as the basis for a sustained point of view

Question 11

What is exaggeration, overstatement or hyperbole ?

Answer 11

Presents an extreme view of a situation for dramatic impact and to provoke strong emotional responses

Question 12

What is generalisation ?

Answer 12

A sweeping statement that suggests what is true for some is true for most or all. To form a statement upon the wider population due to evaluation of one individuals or group

Question 13

What is inclusive language and exclusive language ?

Answer 13

Inclusive language: uses ‘we’, ‘our’, ‘us’, etc. to include the readers in the same group as the writer. Assumes that everyone in the group shares the writer’s viewpoints
Exclusive language: uses ‘they’, ‘them’ to exclude or distant oneself from a group or individual

Question 14

What is inductive reasoning ?

Answer 14

Presents a general theory about what is happening, based on specific events or observations

Question 15

What is irony ?

Answer 15

A feature of language in which the literal meaning is the opposite of the intended meaning

Question 16

What is a metaphor ?

Answer 16

A figure of speech in which a phrase or word is applied to an object or action to which is not literally applicable.
E.g;
- ‘As winter ended, the trees removed their thick coat of snow’

Question 17

What is a simile ?

Answer 17

Figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic and vivd.
E.g;
- As brave as a lion’

Question 18

What is a pun ?

Answer 18

A play on word that suggests a double meaning (e.g. Its ‘knot’ on, meaning the knot as in cloth or not acceptable)

Question 19

What is use of reason/logic ?

Answer 19

Used to link ideas and develop an argument supporting the writer’s point of view. Can take into account the opposing viewpoint in order to show why the writer’s argument is superior

Question 20

What is repetition ?

Answer 20

Using the same word or phrase several times to add emphasis

Question 21

What is a rhetorical question ?

Answer 21

A question with an implied but unstated answer

Question 22

What is the straw man argument ?

Answer 22

Misrepresents an opponent’s argument - often by exaggerating aspects of it - in order to make it easier to rebut