Nonfiction Terms

Front

Purpose

Back

The reason an author decides to write about a specific topic.

Front

Ethos

Back

Rhetoric that uses the credibility of the speaker; it assesses if the speaker/writer is trustworthy and reliable.

Front

Bias

Back

The way the audience or reader already feels about a topic or person prior to reading or listening to an author's ideas; it can be favorable or unfavorable.

Front

Audience

Back

Who the text is written for; the specific group the author is trying to target.

Front

Tone

Back

The feeling that the author tries to portray in a text.

Front

Pathos

Back

Rhetoric that appeals to the audience's emotions.

Front

Logos

Back

Rhetoric that uses logical reasoning and evidence to persuade the audience.

Front

Main Idea

Back

The central point or message that the author wants to convey in a text.

Front

Anecdote

Back

A short and interesting story about a real incident or person, often used to illustrate a point.

Front

Rhetoric

Back

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, often using figures of speech and other compositional techniques.