Rhetoric
terms and concepts
Terms
undefined, object
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- denotation
- the dictionary definition of a word
- Declamatioin
- presentation of a speech previously delivered by someone else
- cliche
- an overused phrased
- arguments
- a coherent set of ideas and statements designed to prove a point
- Rhetorical Question
- a question whose answer is obvious or implied.
- delivery
- combination of verbal, nonverbal, and physical techniques in speaking
- motivational speech
- A persuasive speech design that proceeds by arousing attention, demonstrating a need, satisfying the need, visualizing results, and calling for action.
- speech modes
- persuasive, informative, entertainment, commemorative
- fallacy
- a persuasive technique using*intentionally or unintentionally) flawed logic
- Oratory
- public speaking which intends to inspire, persuade, eulogize or inform
- Antithesis (an-TIH-theh-sis)
- a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences.
- extemporaneous speech
- a well rehearsed speech delivered from a brief set off notes
- post hoc fallacy
- an argument that mistakenly identifies an event as a cause of something else simply because it occurred before that thing.
- enunciation
- clear, precise, accurate verbal articulation
- Logos
- the key argument, message, content of a speech
- Metaphor
- a comparison made by speaking of one thing in terms of another; an implied comparison between two different things which share at least one attribute in common
- critique
- an evaluation of a speech or performance
- ad hominem fallacy
- attacks on the person rather than the argument
- rhetoric
- the art of speaking effectively
- impromptu speech
- a speech delivered with little or no advance preparation
- Simile
- an overt comparison between two unlike things as though they were similar -- usually with the words "like" or "as".
- either-or fallacy
- forcing listeners to choose between only two alternatives when other alternatives exist
- Oxymoron
- a two word paradox which, nonetheless, evokes some measure of truth
- connotation
- the positive or negative associations produced by a word
- Rhetorical Situation
- the circumstances and context of a speech
- persuasive speech
- a speech that attempts to influence people's opinions towards a particular position
- Discourse
- the exchange of ideas
- hasty generalization fallacy
- jumping to wide ranging conclusions based on insufficient examples
- Analogy
- A kind of extended metaphor or long simile in which an explicit comparison is made between two things (events, ideas, people, etc) for the purpose of furthering a line of reasoning
- straw man fallacy
- creating distortions of opponent's arguments in order to more easily refute them
- Allusion
- Figure of explication using a brief or casual reference to a famous person, historical event, place, or work of art.
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate
- one on one debate format in which opponents argue both affirmatively and critically
- abstract language
- words that refer to theoretical or intellectual notions
- concrete language
- words that refer to tangible things
- triads
- sets of ideas in groups of three (not a figure of repetition)
- slippery slope fallacy
- an argument that when one thing happens it will set in motion a trend leading to disastrous results
- commemorative speech
- a speech that pays tribute to a person, a group, an institution or an idea
- bandwagon fallacy
- confuses popularity with goodness, desirability, or value
- manuscript speech
- a speech that is written out word for word and read aloud
- Interpretation
- a dramatic reading of a literary work
- Personification
- the application of human attributes or abilities to nonhuman entities
- Ethos
- the personal character of the speaker
- Parallelism
- successive words, phrases, clauses with the same or very similar grammatical structure.
- climax
- words or phrases arranged by degrees of increasing significance.
- Pathos
- the frame of mind or disposition of the audience
- red herring fallacy
- reasoning that uses irrelevant information to divert or confuse attention
- Paradox
- Figure that employs an apparent contradiction which, nonetheless, evokes some measure of truth