Glossary
Appeals (Rhetorical Appeals)
Strategies used by a writer to persuade an audience, typically categorized as appeals to logic (logos), credibility (ethos), or emotion (pathos).
Example:
A political candidate uses various appeals in their speech to connect with voters on intellectual, ethical, and emotional levels.
Audience Analysis
The systematic process of identifying and understanding the characteristics, beliefs, values, and knowledge of the intended recipients of a message.
Example:
Before launching a new product, a marketing team conducts thorough audience analysis to tailor their advertising campaign to potential customers.
Audience Awareness
The writer's understanding of the values, beliefs, needs, and background of the people they are trying to reach with their message.
Example:
A comedian uses audience awareness to adjust their jokes for a family-friendly show versus a late-night club performance.
Credibility (of Evidence)
The trustworthiness and reliability of a source or piece of evidence, indicating its authoritative and unbiased nature.
Example:
Citing a study published in a peer-reviewed medical journal enhances the credibility of health claims.
Effective Argument
A well-supported claim that uses sufficient, relevant, and credible evidence, organized logically to persuade a specific audience.
Example:
The student's essay presented an effective argument for school uniform policies, citing research on improved discipline and reduced bullying.
Ethos
A rhetorical appeal that establishes the writer's credibility, authority, or trustworthiness to persuade the audience, often through expertise or shared values.
Example:
A renowned historian writing about ancient civilizations builds ethos through their extensive knowledge and academic background.
Integrating Evidence
The process of smoothly incorporating external information or data into one's own writing, typically by introducing, quoting/paraphrasing, and then explaining its significance.
Example:
When writing a research paper, it's crucial to effectively integrate evidence by explaining how each quote or statistic supports your analytical point.
Line of Reasoning
The progression of ideas that forms an argument, showing how a writer connects claims, evidence, and commentary to lead the audience to a particular conclusion.
Example:
The lawyer's line of reasoning meticulously connected each piece of evidence to the defendant's motive, leading to a clear conclusion of guilt.
Logical Structure
The coherent and organized arrangement of ideas and arguments within a text, allowing for a clear and easy-to-follow progression of thought.
Example:
An essay with a strong logical structure moves smoothly from its introduction to its body paragraphs, each building upon the last.
Logos
A rhetorical appeal that persuades an audience through logic, reason, and factual evidence, often relying on statistics, data, or logical arguments.
Example:
A scientist presenting research findings uses logos by citing empirical data and logical deductions to support their conclusions.
Pathos
A rhetorical appeal that evokes emotions in the audience to create a desired response, connection, or empathy.
Example:
An animal shelter advertisement featuring images of sad puppies aims to elicit pathos from viewers to encourage adoptions.
Purpose (of Writing)
The specific goal or aim a writer intends to achieve with their communication, such as to persuade, inform, or entertain.
Example:
The purpose of a public service announcement about recycling is to inform citizens and encourage participation.
Relevance (of Evidence)
The quality of evidence being directly and clearly connected to the claim it is intended to support, ensuring it is pertinent to the argument.
Example:
When arguing for increased funding for arts programs, statistics on economic growth in the tech sector would lack relevance.
Rhetorical Triangle
A conceptual model illustrating the interconnected relationship between the writer (speaker), audience, and purpose in any act of communication.
Example:
Understanding the rhetorical triangle helps analyze how a speaker adapts their message based on who they are addressing and what they want to achieve.
Strategic Evidence
Information or data carefully selected and presented to support a claim in a way that clarifies, illustrates, or amplifies a point for a specific audience.
Example:
A lawyer presents strategic evidence during a trial, choosing specific testimonies and documents to build a compelling case.
Sufficiency (of Evidence)
The quantity and depth of evidence provided, ensuring there is enough support to convincingly prove a claim without leaving it weak or unsupported.
Example:
A prosecutor needs sufficiency of evidence to secure a conviction, meaning enough proof to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thesis Statement
The central, arguable claim or main idea of an essay, which guides the entire argument and provides a roadmap for the reader.
Example:
The thesis statement of the literary analysis argued that Hamlet's indecision stems from his philosophical contemplation rather than cowardice.
Transitional Phrases
Words or phrases that connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, creating a smooth flow and logical coherence within a text.
Example:
Using transitional phrases like 'furthermore,' 'in contrast,' or 'consequently' helps readers follow the progression of an argument.