Rhetorical Analysis Terms Flashcards
Alliteration
The recurrence of initial consonant sounds.
Ex: “Rubber baby buggy bumper”
Allusion
A reference to an event, literary work or person.
Ex: “I can’t do that because I am not Superman.”
Analogy
Explaining something complex by comparing it to something more simple.
Ex: “An amateur playing in a professional game is like a bunny stepping into a lion’s den.”
Argument
The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.
Aristotelian appeals
Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—ethos, logos, and pathos
Attitude
The writer’s personal views or feelings about the subject at hand
Audience
Who the author is directing his or her message towards
Compare and contrast
Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose
Connotation
The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations
Ex: conscientious = positive connotation
fussy = negative connotation
Context
The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered
Counterargument
The argument(s) against the author’s position
Deductive reasoning
A form of logical reasoning wherein a general principle is applied to a specific case
Ex: If all planets orbit a star, and Theta II is a planet, then it must orbit a star.
Denotation
The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word
Diction
The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation
Ethos
Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy
Evidence
The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author’s position
Figurative language
The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.
Genre
The specific type of work being presented
Imagery
Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language
Implication
When something is suggested without being concretely stated
Inductive reasoning
Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand
Irony
At the most basic sense, saying the opposite of what you mean; also used to describe situations in which the results of an action are dramatically different than intended
Juxtaposition
Placing two very different things together for effect
Logos
Appealing to someone’s sense of concrete facts and logic
Occasion
The reason or moment for writing or speaking
Organization
How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech
Pathos
An Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone’s emotions
Purpose
The author’s persuasive intention
Repetition
Re-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis
Rhetoric
The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience
Rhetorical Triangle
The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context
Speaker
The persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author
Style
The author’s own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice
Symbolism
Using a symbol to refer to an idea or concept
Syntax
The way sentences are grammatically constructed; word order
Synthesis
Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way for the purpose of a larger point
Theme
Overarching idea or driving premise of a work
Tone
The use of stylistic devices to reveal an author’s attitude toward a subject
Voice
An author’s unique sound. Similar to style
