The writer's attitude is apparent by effective use of devices such as irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm to create humor that is thought provoking and insightful about the human condition.
What is SATIRICAL?
100
Avoid "I think," "I believe," "To me this means..."
What is FIRST PERSON?
100
Relies on logic and often depends on the use of inductive or deductive reasoning
What is LOGOS or APPEAL to REASON?
100
to make a pointed, specific and powerful comparison by highlighting the similarity between two or more entities
What is ANALOGY?
100
Two independent clauses divided by a comma.
What is COMMA SPLICE?
200
a wistful or excessively sentimental sometimes abnormal yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition; to look back in a sentimental or longing way
What is NOSTALGIC OR REMINISCENT?
200
basically, obviously, surely, certainly, very, really, incredibly, totally, etc... should all be used sparingly!
What are ADVERBS?
200
based on the character, credibility, or reliability of the writer.
What is ETHOS or ETHICAL APPEAL?
200
a short and interesting story taken from a person's past experience - or that of someone they know or have heard about
What is ANECDOTE?
200
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
What is ANTECEDENT or REFERENT?
300
does not show any feelings for or against a topic; therefore, it is unbiased or neutral.
What is IMPARTIAL or OBJECTIVE?
300
Words like "random," "awesome," "lame," or "swag" (God forbid...) should be avoided because they are examples of this...
What is SLANG?
300
appeals to an audience's needs, values, and feelings
What is PATHOS or EMOTIONAL APPEAL?
300
A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines
or sentences. Ex. MLK's “I Have a Dream” speech (1963).
What is ANAPHORA?
300
The central meaning is presented in an independent clause which is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone, in order to add emphasis and structural variety.
What is PERIODIC SENTENCE?
400
showing or characterized by a patronizing or superior attitude toward others
What is CONDESCENDING?
400
Ex. "They're as old as the hills."
"blood is thicker than water," "piece of cake," and "cut to the chase."
What are CLICHES?
400
The argument attempts to persuade by calling on ones community spirit, specifically on ones love of country. Alternatively, the argument may attempt to refute a position by calling it treasonous or unpatriotic.
What is APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM or JINGOISM?
400
A statement that seems to be impossible: "What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." --George Bernard Shaw
What is PARADOX?
400
The grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural
similarity. Acts as an organizing force to attract the
reader’s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.
What is PARALLELISM?
500
scornful of the motives or virtues of others, bitterly mocking
What is CYNICAL or SARCASTIC?
500
A special kind of excess of tone when the student lavishes praise on an author or her work. Ex. "The greatest poet...," "does a magnificent job of...," "obviously a genius," etc...
What is FLATTERY?
500
presenting the idea that something is acceptable due to the fact that it's always be done that way.
What is appeal to tradition?
500
"Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage."-- Shakespeare, Macbeth
What is METAPHOR?
500
Excessive use of conjunctions, which adjusts rhythm and pace in a sentence.