Rhetorical Devices
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
What is Alliteration?
Using words like "we," "us," and "our" to make the audience feel included and on the speaker's side.
What is inclusive language?
The very first sentence or part of your response designed to grab the reader’s attention immediately.
What is a hook?
An argument or viewpoint that goes against your main thesis; the "other side" of the debate.
What is a counterargument?
An appeal to the audience's emotions, attempting to make them feel pity, anger, fear, or joy to persuade them.
What is pathos?
A question asked merely for effect or to make a point, rather than to get an actual answer.
What is a rhetorical question?
Words chosen deliberately to create a strong emotional reaction (like anger, guilt, or excitement) in the reader.
What is emotive language?
The sentence at the beginning of a body paragraph that clearly states the main point or argument of that paragraph.
What is a topic sentence?
Facts, data, quotes, or examples used to prove that your argument is true and trustworthy.
What is evidence?
An appeal to ethics, character, and authority, used to convince the audience that the speaker is credible and trustworthy.
What is ethos?
A short, personal story used to make a point more relatable and emotionally engaging for the audience.
What is an anecdote?
An extreme exaggeration used to emphasize a point or add drama.
What is hyperbole?
A final instruction to the audience that tells them exactly what they should do or believe next.
What is a call to action?
The part of your response where you explain why the opponent's counterargument is wrong or weak.
What is a rebuttal?
An appeal to logic, reason, and facts, often utilizing data, statistics, and clear structural evidence.
What is logos?
A writing principle suggesting that things written in trios are inherently more satisfying, structured, and memorable to the audience (e.g., "Blood, sweat, and tears").
What is the Rule of Three?
Helping verbs like "must," "should," "will," and "can" that express necessity, certainty, or permission, used to make an argument sound definitive rather than optional.
What are modal verbs?
Usually found at the end of an introduction, this single sentence clearly states your main argument and outlines the main points you will use to support it.
What is a thesis statement?
A logical flaw where a speaker distorts or exaggerates an opponent's argument to make it much easier to attack and disprove.
What is a straw man fallacy?
When establishing ethos, a speaker relies heavily on building this specific quality, which means the audience finds them believable and reliable.
What is credibility?
The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses to build rhythm and emotional intensity.
What is anaphora?
The implied cultural or emotional feeling associated with a word, beyond its literal dictionary definition (e.g., the word "frugal" vs. "cheap").
What is connotation?
A structural move where you acknowledge that a specific point made by the opposing side is valid before you explain why your main argument still stands.
What is a concession?
A flawed persuasive tactic that attacks the character, motive, or other attributes of the person making the argument, rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself.
What is an ad hominem attack?
The speaker's attitude toward the subject or audience, which is carefully crafted through word choice to establish a trustworthy Ethos and trigger a specific Pathos.
What is tone?