What a piece of literature is mainly about
Main Idea
Starting a story in the middle of the action, often to create tension
In Media Res
The main focus of an informational text
An appeal to ethics or character; persuasion achieved by convincing reader of the character or credibility of the persuader.
Ethos
Attempting to discredit a view by criticizing a weak version of it or the reason given in support of it.
Strawman Fallacy
a message about life or human nature that the author is trying to convey with their writing.
Theme
the cultural or contextual meaning of a word
Connotation
writer’s position on an issue or problem. Although an argument focuses on supporting one claim, a writer may make more than one claim in a work.
Central Claim
An appeal to logic and reasoning; persuasion achieved through facts, logic, and inductive (specific to broad) and deductive (broad to specific) reasoning
Logos
another option or perspective that is similar but different from the claim--what another side, not necessarily the opposite side, of the issue would claim
Alternative Claim
a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem
Stanza
characters are easily recognizable character types which recur throughout fiction, largely unchanged
Stock/Stereotype/Archetypal Characters
the technique of using language effectively and persuasively in spoken or written form such as through use of hyperbole, understatement, rhetorical question, stereotype, or allusion
rhetoric
An appeal to pity; the quality an argument or piece of art that is intended to stir up emotions of pity, sympathy, and sorrow in order to persuade people through emotional response
Pathos
a concrete object representing an abstract idea
Symbolism
the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character.
Characterization
to the way that individuals are shaped by their unique cultural and social environments
Cultural Perspective
repeat the same words or phrases multiple times to make an idea emphasize and amplify ideas
repetition
to describe or portray something clearly and accurately
Delineation
intentional groupings of stressed and unstressed syllables in order to create a particular emotion or feel.
Rhythm
The attitude an author holds toward their subject
Tone
author depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the present time the narration
Flashback
The topical and textual facts, events, and ideas from which the claims of an argument arise, and which are cited to support those claims.
Evidence
systematic error in logic or reasoning
Fallacy
Any attempt to discredit a view by calling attention to the character, actions or personal circumstances of those who hold it rather than the reasoning they provide in support of it.
Ad Hominem Fallacy