Rhetorical Devices & Strategies
What is the repetition of beginning consonant sounds called?
alliteration
Which appeal relies on the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker?
Ethos
What is a claim in an argument?
A claim is the main argument or assertion that the writer wants the audience to believe; it's the thesis or central point being argued.
What does it mean to synthesize sources?
To synthesize sources means to combine information from multiple sources to create a new understanding or argument, rather than simply summarizing each source separately.
What is diction?
Diction is a writer's choice of words and phrases; it affects meaning, tone, and the overall impact of the writing.
Name the rhetorical device: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" (JFK)
Juxtaposition OR Antithesis
How does Malala establish ethos in her 2013 UN speech despite her young age?
Malala establishes ethos through her personal experience as a survivor of Taliban violence, her knowledge of education issues, her calm and articulate delivery, and her demonstrated commitment to the cause. Her lived experience gives her authority to speak on the topic.
Define logical fallacy and name two common types.
A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning that weakens an argument. Common types include: ad hominem (attacking the person rather than the argument), straw man (misrepresenting an opponent's position), false dilemma (presenting only two options when more exist), appeal to authority (relying on authority without evidence), and begging the question (assuming the conclusion in the premise).
In your synthesis unit, how do Emerson's "Education," Ken Robinson's TED Talk, and Baldwin's "A Talk to Teachers" present different perspectives on the purpose of education?
Emerson emphasizes individual development and self-reliance; Robinson critiques standardized systems and champions creativity; Baldwin stresses the moral responsibility of teachers to help students see through societal lies. A synthesis would show how these three views complement or conflict with each other.
Name the elements of the rhetorical situation.
Speaker, Purpose, Author, Context Exigence, Choices, Appeals, Tone
Name the rhetorical device: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds..." (Churchill)
Anaphora
Identify an example of pathos in George W. Bush's 9/11 speech and explain its effect.
Bush's references to the firefighters and first responders, his acknowledgment of the victims' families, and his reassuring tone create emotional connection. This pathos unites the nation in grief and resolve, making his subsequent calls to action more persuasive.
Explain the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning with examples.
Inductive reasoning moves from specific examples to a general conclusion (e.g., "I've seen three sunsets; therefore, the sun always sets in the west"). Deductive reasoning moves from a general principle to a specific conclusion (e.g., "All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; therefore, Socrates is mortal"). Inductive is bottom-up; deductive is top-down.
Design a thesis that synthesizes three sources we've read and takes a position.
Name three types of evidence used in arguments.
Quotes/testimony, statistics/data, examples, expert opinion, personal anecdotes, historical facts, case studies.
In Born a Crime, Trevor Noah uses irony and humor to discuss serious topics like racism and apartheid. Provide an example and explain how these devices function rhetorically
Answers May Vary
How does Frederick Douglass use all three appeals in his Narrative?
Ethos: His detailed, credible account of slavery establishes him as a reliable narrator. Pathos: Descriptions of brutal treatment and family separation evoke sympathy. Logos: He uses logical arguments about the contradictions of slavery in a "free" nation.
Explain the difference between a strong counterargument and a weak one. How should a writer handle each in an argumentative essay?
A strong counterargument is one that actually challenges your position with credible reasoning and evidence—it's worth taking seriously. A weak counterargument is easily refutable or based on flawed logic. A writer should acknowledge strong counterarguments fairly, address them thoughtfully, and explain why their own position is still more compelling. Weak counterarguments can be refuted more directly, but ignoring strong ones makes your essay vulnerable. The best argumentative essays engage with the strongest opposing views, not the weakest ones.
How would you use Frederick Douglass's Narrative, Baldwin's "A Talk to Teachers," and Malala's UN speech to synthesize an argument about the power of education to challenge oppression?
All three texts demonstrate that education enables individuals to resist systemic oppression: Douglass teaches himself to read and escape slavery; Baldwin argues teachers must help students see through societal myths; Malala fights for girls' education against Taliban suppression. A synthesis would argue that education is a tool of liberation and resistance, supported by three distinct historical and contemporary examples.
How would you revise a rhetorical analysis that focuses too much on whether you agree with the author versus analyzing how they persuade?
Remove personal opinion statements ("I think climate change is real...") and replace them with analysis of strategy ("Greta uses scientific data and emotional urgency to persuade her audience that climate action is necessary"). Focus on the how and why of persuasion, not the whether of truth.
Analyze Trevor Noah's use of juxtaposition in Born a Crime. How does he place contrasting images or ideas side-by-side, and what effect does this create?
Answers May Vary
How does Greta Thunberg use pathos through direct address and accusation in her climate change speech to create urgency and emotional connection with her audience?
Greta directly addresses world leaders with phrases like "You have stolen my dreams and my childhood" rather than speaking about them in the third person. This direct accusation personalizes the issue and makes listeners feel complicit, evoking guilt and shame (pathos). By framing climate inaction as theft from her generation, she transforms an abstract environmental issue into a personal moral failure, making her audience emotionally invested in taking action rather than remaining passive.
A writer argues, "Since most people believe climate change is real, climate change must be real." Identify the logical fallacy in this reasoning and explain why it weakens the argument.
This is an appeal to popularity (or bandwagon fallacy)—the assumption that something is true because many people believe it. This fallacy weakens the argument because popularity doesn't determine truth; many people once believed the Earth was flat. A stronger argument would rely on scientific evidence, expert consensus with reasoning, and logical proof—not merely the number of believers. This fallacy mistakes agreement for evidence.
Analyze how Elie Wiesel's syntax in Night contributes to the portrayal of the Holocaust's psychological impact.
Wiesel uses fragmented, short sentences during moments of horror to convey shock and disorientation. Longer, reflective sentences appear when he processes trauma. The varying syntax mirrors the emotional and psychological journey, making readers experience the psychological fragmentation caused by trauma.