Persuasive Rhetoric Academic Vocabulary

Front

The reason a writer writes (to inform, to persuade, to entertain, to explain, to describe)

Back

purpose

Front

Statements that sound logical or factual, but are not

Back

fallacies

Front

Doing something because everyone else is doing it

Back

bandwagon 

Front

A writer's or speaker's statement on a position or issue

Back

claim

Front

Using different words that have the same meaning in an argument (talking in circles)

Back

circular reasoning

Front

Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another; usually in a way to be considered to be unfair

Back

bias

Front

An author's word choices

Back

diction 

Front

Having a famous person or someone who has used a product endorse it; this person is NOT usually an expert on the product

Back

testimonial

Front

Saying one only has two choices when, in fact, there are many other possibilities

Back

either/or fallacy

Front

Techniques writers use to enhance their arguments and communicate more effectively

Back

rhetorical appeals