rhetoric Flashcards
ethos
an appeal to morality (e.g. right v wrong)
pathos
an appeal to emotion
logos
an appeal to logical/rational thought
rhetorical question
a question posed without an expected response, a question to prove a point
tonal shift
a shift in the speaker’s attitude
juxtaposition
placing things side by side, forming a relationship
repitition
repeating words/phrases intentionally
cause-effect
a structural device that poses actions and reactions
anticipating objections
the author addresses what the opposition may say before they can say it
allusion
a reference to history/literature
illustration/imagery
using sensory language or detail to paint a picture
irony
pointing out disparity in expectation and reality
comparison/contrast
juxtaposition except the relationship is similarities or differences
word choice/diction
the selection of words the author uses
syntax
sentence structure and variety
ad hominem
attacks a person instead of the argument to discredit the person rather than addressing the argument
appeal to authority
an argument supported by the citation of a respected authority figure rather than providing evidence or sound reasoning
false dilemma
presents two options as if they are the only choices, despite there being many other options
hasty generalization
draws a conclusion based on insufficient evidence or an unrepresentative sample
slippery slope
argues that one event will inevitably lead to a series of negative events, without evidence to support that claim
straw man
misrepresents/exaggerates an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack/discredit
