Persuasive Flashcards
Logos (logic)
Appeals to show readers that writers are sensible as rely on facts, statistics, and reason to prove their points
Pathos (emotion)
The appeal of speakers or writers to the audience’s emotions; often relies on sympathy, fear,ego, need to belong, ect.
Anecdote/anecdotal evidence
A brief story about an interesting, amusing, or strange event; often used to prove a point
Claim (also assertion)
A statement that something is so or is not to. A claim may be taken at face value because the writer is sincere or believable. The thesis statement of an essay often contains its major claim
Concession
Admitting the validity of the opponent’s point of view; often followed by refutation
Deduction
Logic that uses a generally accepted statement to draw conclusions about a specific situation; deduction relies on accurate generalizations to arrive at sound conclusions; a faulty premise leads to a faulty conclusion.
To draw conclusions by reasoning
Induction
Logic that uses specific, observable examples to draw a general conclusion; induction deals with probabilities rather than with absolutes
Exigence
Problem, issue, or situation that prompts someone to read or write
Generalization
A broad statement supported by specific, concrete details
Objective language
Factual, neutral words; avoids making a judgement or evoking emotion (opp of subjective)
Subjective language
Language that expresses an opinion, makes a judgment, or evokes emotion (opp of objective)
Qualifier
Using language such as “probably” or “often” to show that speaker is dealing with probability, not absolutes
Premise
A statement that is assumed to be true, used to lead to a logical conclusion
Rhetorical triangle
Balance between various appeals to achieve one’s purpose in speaking or writing; see graphic below
Warrant
The connection between evidence/ data and one’s claim
