Language Analasis, Persuasive Devices Flashcards
What is an Ad hominem attack ?
When denigrating an individual or group
What is an Alliteration ?
repetition of a consonant, especially at the start of words
What is begging the question ?
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’
What is a cliché ?
An overused phrase or opinion that betrays a lack of original thought
E.g;
- ‘A woman’s place is in the home’
What are connotations and loaded words ?
ideas or feelings which a words evoke in addition to their primary or ‘dictionary’ meanings
What is deductive reasoning ?
Draws on general rules or ideas about a group to form a conclusion about one small part of that group
What is an analogy ?
Compares two things to lead the audience to draw conclusions based on their similarities
What is an anecdote ?
Short account or story - often entertaining; provides a human angle that engages the reader; can convey information
What is emotive language ?
Deliberate use of strong words and phrases to arouse the reader’s feelings and so manipulate them to agree
What is use of evidence ?
The use of facts and figures to provide rational, scientific ‘proof’ as the basis for a sustained point of view
What is exaggeration, overstatement or hyperbole ?
Presents an extreme view of a situation for dramatic impact and to provoke strong emotional responses
What is generalisation ?
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
What is inclusive language and exclusive language ?
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
What is inductive reasoning ?
Presents a general theory about what is happening, based on specific events or observations
What is irony ?
A feature of language in which the literal meaning is the opposite of the intended meaning
What is a metaphor ?
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’
What is a simile ?
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’
What is a pun ?
A play on word that suggests a double meaning (e.g. Its ‘knot’ on, meaning the knot as in cloth or not acceptable)
What is use of reason/logic ?
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
What is repetition ?
Using the same word or phrase several times to add emphasis
What is a rhetorical question ?
A question with an implied but unstated answer
What is the straw man argument ?
Misrepresents an opponent’s argument - often by exaggerating aspects of it - in order to make it easier to rebut
