Rhetorical Analysis Terms

Question 1

Alliteration

Answer 1

The recurrence of initial consonant sounds.
Ex: “Rubber baby buggy bumper”

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

A reference to an event, literary work or person.
Ex: “I can’t do that because I am not Superman.”

Question 3

Analogy

Answer 3

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.”

Question 4

Argument

Answer 4

The combination of reasons, evidence, etc that an author uses to convince an audience of their position.

Question 5

Aristotelian appeals

Answer 5

Three different methods of appealing to an audience to convince them—ethos, logos, and pathos

Question 6

Attitude

Answer 6

The writer’s personal views or feelings about the subject at hand

Question 7

Audience

Answer 7

Who the author is directing his or her message towards

Question 8

Compare and contrast

Answer 8

Discussing the similarities and differences between two things to some persuasive or illustrative purpose

Question 9

Connotation

Answer 9

The implied meaning of a word; words can broadly have positive, negative, or neutral connotations
Ex: conscientious = positive connotation
fussy = negative connotation

Question 10

Context

Answer 10

The extra-textual environment in which the text is being delivered

Question 11

Counterargument

Answer 11

The argument(s) against the author’s position

Question 12

Deductive reasoning

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Denotation

Answer 13

The literal, dictionary-definition meaning of a word

Question 14

Diction

Answer 14

The style of language used; generally tailored to be appropriate to the audience and situation

Question 15

Ethos

Answer 15

Setting up a source as credible and trustworthy

Question 16

Evidence

Answer 16

The information presented meant to persuade the audience of the author’s position

Question 17

Figurative language

Answer 17

The use of language in a non-literal way; i.e. metaphor, simile, etc.

Question 18

Genre

Answer 18

The specific type of work being presented

Question 19

Imagery

Answer 19

Any descriptive language used to evoke a vivid sense or image of something; includes figurative language

Question 20

Implication

Answer 20

When something is suggested without being concretely stated

Question 21

Inductive reasoning

Answer 21

Making a generalization based on specific evidence at hand

Question 22

Irony

Answer 22

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

Question 22

Juxtaposition

Answer 22

Placing two very different things together for effect

Question 23

Logos

Answer 23

Appealing to someone’s sense of concrete facts and logic

Question 24

Occasion

Answer 24

The reason or moment for writing or speaking

Question 25

Organization

Answer 25

How the different parts of an argument are arranged in a piece of writing or speech

Question 26

Pathos

Answer 26

An Aristotelian appeal. Involves appealing to someone’s emotions

Question 27

Purpose

Answer 27

The author’s persuasive intention

Question 28

Repetition

Answer 28

Re-using a word or phrase repeatedly for effect or emphasis

Question 29

Rhetoric

Answer 29

The use of spoken or written word (or a visual medium) to convey your ideas and convince an audience

Question 30

Rhetorical Triangle

Answer 30

The relationship between the author, the audience, the text/message, and the context

Question 31

Speaker

Answer 31

The persona adopted by the author to deliver his or her message; may or may not actually be the same person as the author

Question 32

Style

Answer 32

The author’s own personal approach to rhetoric in the piece; similar to voice

Question 33

Symbolism

Answer 33

Using a symbol to refer to an idea or concept

Question 34

Syntax

Answer 34

The way sentences are grammatically constructed; word order

Question 35

Synthesis

Answer 35

Combining sources or ideas in a coherent way for the purpose of a larger point

Question 36

Theme

Answer 36

Overarching idea or driving premise of a work

Question 37

Tone

Answer 37

The use of stylistic devices to reveal an author’s attitude toward a subject

Question 38

Voice

Answer 38

An author’s unique sound. Similar to style