Rhetorical Analysis: overview & vocabulary

Which of the following would be a technique that best implements logos or logical persuasion?

• using pictures of a hurt child

• having someone credible who agrees with you

• including research

• making people laugh

One way to incorporate pathos or emotional persuasion in a speech is to

• use loaded words and descriptive imagery in your argument

• interview people to use as proof

• include research and credible websites

• tell them how your background and skills relate to the topic you're discussing

Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?

A. Sam was mortified when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.

B. Sam was embarrassed when he was called to come up on stage during the assembly.

• "Mortified" is the antonym of "embarrassed"

• "Mortified" is more intense and has a more negative connotation than "embarrassed."

• "Embarrassed" is more intense and has more negative connotation than "mortified".

• "Mortified" and "embarrassed" have different denotations or dictionary meanings.

What are you analyzing in the rhetorical analysis essay?

• whether you agree or disagree with the author

• the tools/strategies the author uses to reach his/her audience

• whether the author is effective in persuading the audience

• the author's theme or purpose

When discussing an author's diction, you should. . . (choose all that apply)

• use an adjective to characterize the diction

• not specifically describe it to keep it open to interpretation

• identify patterns. For example, does the writer mostly use words with a positive connotation or does the writer use multiple examples of juxtaposition throughout?

a brief reference to a famous person, event, book, song, etc. The most commonly used one of these from a book comes from the Bible

• allusion

• metaphor

• diction

• analysis

comparison using "like" or "as" Example: "She was as quiet as a mouse."

• metaphor

• simile

• rhetorical question

• juxtapostion

When the writer/speaker appeals to the feelings of the reader; drawing pity from an audience; inspiring anger from an audience, etc

• repetition

• rhetorical question

• logos or logical persuasion

• pathos or emotional persuasion

the construction of sentences; the arrangement of words in a sentence

• rhetoric

• logos or logical persuasion

• connotation

• syntax

Diction means

• the connections we have with words

• the definition of words

• an author's choice of words

• the common way of speaking with friends