Rhetorical Terms | 2

Question 1

Audience

Answer 1

Listener, viewer, or reader of a text

Question 2

Backing

Answer 2

Info that supports the warrant

Question 3

Bandwagon appeal

Answer 3

Ad populum, “everybody’s doing it”

Question 4

Begging the question

Answer 4

A claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt

Question 5

Bias

Answer 5

Prejudice or preconceived notion that prevents a person from approaching a topic in an objective way

Question 6

Blank verse

Answer 6

Unrhymed iambic pentameter

Question 7

Iambic pentameter

Answer 7

• Made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one
• a rhythmic meter containing five iambs

Question 8

Caesura

Answer 8

A natural pause or break in a line of poetry

Question 9

Characterization

Answer 9

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Question 10

Indirect characterization

Answer 10

Character is revealed through personality, words, actions

Question 11

Direct characterization

Answer 11

Author directly describes character

Question 12

Circular reasoning

Answer 12

Writer repeats claim as a way to provide evidence

Question 13

Claim

Answer 13

Assertion that states the argument’s main idea

Question 14

Claim of fact

Answer 14

Asserts that something is true or not true

Question 15

Claim of policy

Answer 15

Proposes a change

Question 16

Claim of value

Answer 16

Argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong

Question 17

Classic oration

Answer 17

Five part argument structure

Question 18

Introduction

Answer 18

Introduces the reader to the subject under discussion

Question 19

Narration

Answer 19

Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand, or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing

Question 20

Confirmation

Answer 20

Includes the proof needed to make the writer’s case

Question 21

Refutation

Answer 21

Addresses the counter argument

Question 22

Conclusion

Answer 22

Brings the essay to a satisfying close

Question 23

Closed thesis

Answer 23

A statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make

Question 24

Complex sentence

Answer 24

A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

Question 25

Independent clause

Answer 25

Expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone

Question 26

Dependent clause

Answer 26

Does not express a complete thought, and cannot stand alone

Question 27

Compound sentence

Answer 27

A sentence with two or more independent clauses, often joined by one or more conjunctions

Question 28

Concession

Answer 28

An acknowledgment that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable

Question 29

Connotation

Answer 29

All the meanings that a word suggest

Question 30

Context

Answer 30

The circumstances, atmosphere, attitudes and events surrounding a text