a statement that asserts some broad truth based upon a knowledge of specific cases, the end product of inductive reasoning (basic truth inferred about a group based on experience with some of its members); ex: "big cars are gas guzzlers"
What is generalization?
100
the final paragraph or paragraphs that sum up an essay and bring it to a close; may include a summary of what has been said, a call to action, specification of likely consequences, or restating the opening
What is conclusion?
100
the presence or the sound of self, chosen by the author; should make writing sound like someone naturally delivering a message
What is voice?
100
the implication of emotional overtones of a word rather than its literal meaning
What is connotation?
100
an instance that is representative of an idea or claim or that otherwise illustrates it
What is example?
200
errors in reasoning used by speakers or writers, sometimes in order to dupe their audiences; usually based on insufficient evidence, irrelevant information, or faulty logic
What is logical fallacy?
200
a short prose discussion of a single topic, formal or informal; from the french word "essai," or "attempt"
What is essay?
200
the reflection of the writer's attitude toward a subject and audience; ex: sarcasm, anger, humor, hyperbole, irony, satire
What is tone?
200
a way of deliberately representing something as less than it is in order to stress its magnitude; also called litote
What is understatement?
200
appeal to emotion, an appeal to feelings rather than to strict reason; legitimate ploy as long as it's not overused
What is an appeal to pathos?
300
a side issue introduced into an argument in order to distract from the main argument, commonly used by politicians
What is red herring?
300
the relationship that expresses that "if x is the cause, then y is the effect"
What is causal relationship/cause and effect?
300
a rhetorical principle that requires stress to be given to important elements in an essay at the expense of less important elements
What is emphasis?
300
comparison that attempts to explain one thing or idea by likening it to another
What is analogy?
300
appeal to logic
What is an appeal to logos?
400
an argument that attacks the integrity or character of an opponent rather than the merits of an issue; mud-slinging
What is ad hominem argument?
400
the characteristic of selecting facts, words, or emphasis to achieve a preconceived intent, favorable or unfavorable
What is slanting?
400
the speed at which a piece of writing moves along; the (im)balance between summarizing action and representing action in detail
What is pacing?
400
a word or expression acceptable in informal usage but inappropriate in formal discourse
What is colloquialism?
400
appeal to ethics/authority
What is an appeal to ethos?
500
the situation that results when a writer or speaker constructs an argument on an assumption that the audience does not accept
What is begging the question?
500
expressing in a dependent clause, phrase, or single word any idea that is not significant enough to be expressed in a main clause or independent sentence
What is subordination?
500
two different attitudes towards description; in one, the author tries to repesent the material fairly and without bias; in the other, the author stresses personal responses and interpretations
What is objective and subjective writing?
500
more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept; from the Greek word for "good speech"
What is euphemism?
500
brief narrative offered in a text to capture an audience's attention or to support a generalization or claim