Rhetorical/Literary Techniques and Definitions

rhetoric

the study of the effective use of language; the art of using language effectively and persuasively

ethos

appeal based on the character of the speaker

logos

appeal based on logic or reason

pathos

appeal based on emotion

rhetorical triangle

author, audience, purpose

tone

the manner in which a writer expresses his/her attitude toward the subject and audience; mainly expressed through diction, syntax, and POV

simile

a statement using 'like' or 'as' to compare two unlike objects

figurative language

imaginative language that compares one thing to another in ways that aren't necessarily logical but that are nevertheless striking, original, and 'true'; often departs from the literal meaning

connotation

the moods/associations/implications of a word or phrase, as opposed to its exact meaning

denotation

the literal meaning of a word; the dictionary definition

satire

the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, and humor in exposing or denouncing vice or folly

euphemism

substitution of an expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver with an agreeable or less offensive expression or to make it less troublesome for the speaker

ambiguity

the presence of two or more possible meanings in any passage; not clear

irony

the use of language to suggest the opposite of the literal meaning or incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs

oxymoron

two words that create a sense of opposition; a figure of speech in which incongruous or contradictory terms appear side-by-side

paradox

a statement or a proposition that seems senseless or self-contradictory, but in reality, it may be true

fallacy

a failure of logical reasoning

exemplification

showing by example

description

rhetorical strategy that uses sensory details to portray a person, place, or thing

narration

telling a story; a specific way of telling a story

compare/contrast

the process of identifying similarities and differences between things

division/classification

dividing a subject into categories and analyzing the characteristics of each category

cause/effect

two events where one event brings about or caused the other; the first event is the cause, the second is the effect; it explains why something happens or is likely to happen

absolutes

a choice in which something must be one way or the other - there is no middle ground

rapport

a relationship that individuals build

process analysis

a descriptive chronology of the stages in the development of a process

definition

the formal statement of the meaning of a word or phrase

argumentation

the process of forming reasons, justifying beliefs, and drawing conclusions with the aim of influencing the thoughts and/or actions of others

double-bind

a situation of conflict from which there is no escape; an irresolvable dilemma

emotional words

also known as loaded words, these can demonstrate a writer's intense feelings or emotions; they display an author's voice

humor

a specific tone or attitude a writer may use in an essay by attempting to be comedic or amusing