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