Rhetoric 101
The art of effective speaking and writing
rhetoric
Comparison of two things without using “like” or “as”
metaphor
The main/central argument that is a statement of opinion
major claim/main claim
The author’s attitude toward a subject
tone
The person or group of people who receive the communication/text directly, and usually are the rhetor’s intended audience
Someone who writes and speaks effectively
a rhetor
A question asked to produce an effect rather than an answer
rhetorical question
A supporting claim for the central argument
minor claim/subclaim
The author’s vocabulary/word choice
diction
The person or group of people who may indirectly receive a communication/text, and may not be the rhetor’s intended audience
secondary audience
The 3 parts of the rhetorical triangle
ethos, pathos, logos
Frequent use of words, places, characters, or objects that mean something beyond what they are on a literal level
symbolism
An explanation that supports or defends a major and/or minor claim
justification/analysis
An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning
connotation
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests
denotation
The meaning of a written work according to the writer of the work
authorial intent
A comparison between two unlike items that is developed at great length
extended metaphor
A statement of opinion made in response to or to outweigh/cancel another claim
counterargument/counterclaim
A writer's style of writing that makes it unique
voice
The arrangement, order, or location of words in a sentence
syntax
Exposing problems with society through the use of fictional characters and events that parallel real people and events
satire
A recurring theme or verbal pattern in a single text or a number of different texts
motif
The speech act of proving a claim false by offering a counterargument
rebuttal
The feeling or atmosphere the text creates within the reader
mood
Errors in reasoning that invalidate arguments
logical fallacies