Rhetorical Situations
What are the three elements of the rhetorical triangle?
Speaker, Audience, and Purpose.
What is a claim in an argument?
A claim is a statement or assertion that the speaker wants the audience to accept or believe.
What makes a thesis statement clear and specific?
A good thesis is focused, makes a clear argument, and provides a preview of how the writer will support their argument.
Define “tone” and provide an example of a tone word.
Tone is the speaker’s attitude toward the subject; an example tone word is “optimistic.”
Define “syntax” in language.
Syntax is the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.
Define “audience” in a rhetorical context.
The audience is the group of people the speaker is addressing and trying to persuade or inform.
Describe what would count as credible evidence for a claim about health benefits.
Credible evidence might include data from scientific studies, statistics from reputable health organizations, or expert testimonies.
Write a thesis statement for this position: “Social media has both positive and negative impacts on society.”
Example: "While social media enhances global connectivity, it also contributes to increased misinformation and social isolation."
What tone is created by words like “abundant,” “vibrant,” and “sunny”?
A positive, cheerful tone.
What effect might a series of short, choppy sentences have in a description?
It can create a sense of urgency or tension.
What does “exigence” refer to in a rhetorical situation?
Exigence is the issue or situation that prompts the speaker to communicate.
Define “counterclaim” and why it’s used in arguments.
A counterclaim is an argument that opposes the main claim, used to acknowledge opposing views and strengthen the original argument by addressing them.
Rewrite this thesis to make it stronger: “Pollution is a big problem.”
"Industrial pollution in urban areas poses significant health risks and environmental challenges that demand immediate action."
Identify the tone in the phrase “the government should certainly address this issue” and give a synonym for the tone word.
How does formal diction differ from informal diction? Give an example.
Describe the purpose of a rhetorical question in a persuasive speech.
To engage the audience by prompting them to think and to emphasize a point without needing an answer.
Describe the difference between a speaker’s purpose and their tone.
Purpose is the speaker's intended outcome or goal, while tone is the attitude conveyed toward the subject or audience.
Explain how to assess the strength of evidence in an argument.
Evaluate the source's credibility, the relevance of the evidence, and whether it logically supports the claim.
Explain why a thesis should go beyond simply stating a fact.
A thesis should present an argument or perspective that can be debated, providing a central idea that the writer will support.
How does formal diction differ from informal diction? Give an example.
Formal diction is more structured and sophisticated (e.g., "assist" vs. informal "help").
Explain how parallelism (parrallel structure) can emphasize ideas in a sentence.
Parallelism repeats similar structures, adding rhythm and reinforcing ideas, making them more memorable.
Explain how the context of a speech might influence the speaker’s choice of tone and language.
Context (time, place, social/political environment) shapes how the speaker addresses their audience, choosing tone and language that resonate with the situation.
What makes anecdotal evidence weaker than statistical evidence?
Anecdotal evidence relies on personal stories and lacks broad applicability, whereas statistical evidence is more objective and typically reflects a larger population.
Revise this thesis to be more argumentative: "Technology is changing education in many ways."
"The integration of technology in education is revolutionizing how students learn, but it also widens the gap between well-funded and underfunded schools, raising questions about equity."
How does changing a word from “asserted” to “claimed” alter the tone of a sentence?
"Claimed" can imply skepticism about the statement, whereas "asserted" conveys a more neutral or confident tone.
How does varying sentence length within a paragraph enhance its rhetorical effect?
Varying sentence length creates rhythm and emphasis, helping to sustain the reader’s interest and highlight key points. Short sentences can create impact, while longer ones can build complexity or detail.