Rhetoric - the art of effective communication Flashcards
rhetorical triangle - definition
The relationships in a piece of writing or a speech among the speaker/writer, the event(s) or experiences that inspired the subject (exigence), the audience, the message, the author’s purpose, and the appeals, tools, and techniques used to achieve that purpose. Context (history, environment, background information, culture) surround and influence every part of the triangle.
All analysis of writing is essentially an analysis of the relationships between the points on the triangle.
rhetorical question - definition
Question not asked for information but for effect.
rhetorical question - example
“The angry parent asked the child, ‘Are you finished interrupting me?’”
rhetorical question - impact on text
A rhetorical question is a device used to persuade or subtly influence the audience.
romanticism - definition
Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the world, and an emphasis on nature. Does not rely on traditional themes and structures
romanticism - example
One iconic example of concern with the past and nostalgia in romantic painting is Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich, where the lone figure looks out over the misty landscape, evoking a sense of awe and melancholy as if longing for a past era of unity with nature.
romanticism - impact on text
In literature, Romanticism found recurrent themes in the evocation or criticism of the past, the cult of “sensibility” with its emphasis on women and children, the isolation of the artist or narrator, and respect for nature.
sarcasm - definition
A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded. However, not all satire and irony are sarcastic. It is the bitter, mocking tone that separates sarcasm from mere verbal irony or satire.
sarcasm - example
“wow you look SO good today”
sarcasm - impact on text
Sarcasm is mainly used to say the opposite of what’s true, and often to make the other person feel off-guard or foolish.
satire - definition
A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect. It targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions. Good satire usually has three layers: serious on the surface; humorous when you discover that it is satire instead of reality; and serious when you discern the underlying point of the author.
satire - example
The TV shows South Park, The Simpsons, and Family Guy are modern examples of satire, although there are numerous other examples. Each of these examples uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose flaws in modern society.
satire - impact on text
One of the key effects of satires is comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.
sentence - defintion
A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought.
appositive - definition
A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its meaning.
appositive - example
“Bob, the lumber yard worker, spoke with Judy, an accountant from the city.”
appositive - impact on text
Appositives serve as invaluable tools in sentence construction, allowing writers to add descriptive clarity without overly complicating their writing.
clause - definition
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.
balanced sentence - definiton
A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale. Both parts are parallel grammatically.
balanced sentence - example
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” Also called parallelism.
balanced sentence - impact on text
Balanced sentences enhance clarity and emphasize connections between ideas by creating a symmetrical structure.
compound sentence - definition
Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
compound sentence - example
A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon or conjunction. An independent clause is a clause that has a subject and verb and forms a complete thought. An example of a compound sentence is, ‘This house is too expensive, and that house is too small.
complex sentence - definition
Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
complex sentence - example
Complex Sentence - He studied hard because he wanted to go to medical school as he suffered from arthritis.
cumulative sentence - definition
(also called a loose sentence) When the writer begins with an independent clause, then adds subordinate elements.
cumulative sentence - example
“He doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience, his confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration.” The opposite construction is called a periodic sentence.
periodic sentence - definition
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence. The writer begins with subordinate elements and postpones the main clause.
periodic sentence - example
“His
confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration, he doubted
whether he could ever again appear before an audience.” The opposite construction is called a cumulative sentence.
simple sentence - definition
Contains only one independent clause.
simple sentence - example
Joe waited for the train. The train was late.
declarative sentence - definition
States an idea. It does not give a command or request, nor does it ask a question.
declarative sentence - example
“The ball is round.”
imperative sentence - definition
Issues a command.
imperative sentence - example
“Kick the ball.”
interrogative sentence - definition
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which, who, whom, and whose).
interrogative sentence - example
“To whom did you kick the ball?”
style - definition
The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes. Style may be conscious or unconscious.
symbol - definition
Anything that represents or stands for something else. Usually a symbol is something concrete such as an object, actions, character…that represents something more abstract.
symbol - example
Examples of symbols include the Whale in Moby Dick, the river and the jungle in Heart of Darkness, and the Raven in “The Raven.”
symbol - impact on text
Previous studies have shown that combining symbols with text effectively enhances the comprehension of signs.
syntax/ sentence variety - definition
Grammatical arrangement of words. This is perhaps one of the most difficult concepts to master. First, a reader should examine the length of sentences (short or long). How does sentence length and structure relate to tone and meaning. Are they simple, compound, compound-complex sentences? How do they relate to one another? Syntax is the grouping of words, while diction refers to the selection of individual words.
theme - definition
The central idea or message of a work. The theme may be directly stated in nonfiction works, although not necessarily. It is rarely stated directly in fiction.
theme - example
Some examples of themes in literature are love, redemption, forgiveness, coming of age, revenge, good vs evil, bravery and hardship.
thesis - definition
The sentence or groups of sentences that directly expresses the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition. It should be short and clear. (also see argument)
thesis - example
Example thesis (consequences): Recycling consumer products, packaging, and other waste is a positive behavior to encourage in local residents because it keeps waste out of the landfill, reuses manufacturing resources instead of requiring new ones, and is healthier for the environment.
tone - definition
A writer’s attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language and organization. To identify tone, consider how the piece would sound if read aloud (or how the author wanted it to sound aloud).
tone - example
Tone can be: playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, somber, etc.
tone - impact on text
Tone refers to the attitude a writer conveys toward the subject matter and the reader. The tone of a document can affect how the reader perceives the writer’s intentions.
understatement - definition
The ironic minimizing of fact, understatement presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous.
understatement - example
“Our defense played valiantly, and held the other team to merely eight touchdowns in the first quarter.”
understatement - impact on text
An understatement is a powerful device that can help communicate complex ideas or provoke thought and emotion by deliberately minimizing certain elements.
