| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| analogy | Extended comparisons that explain how two things are similar in structure or function to clarify a complex idea. |
| anecdote | A brief, personal story or account used as examples to illustrate a point or support a claim. |
| comparison | Rhetorical devices that examine similarities between two things to help an audience understand a writer's purpose. |
| metaphors | Direct comparisons between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as', presenting one thing as if it were another. |
| similes | Comparisons between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as' to help readers understand a concept through familiar references. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| bias | A prejudice or inclination that prevents objective judgment, reflected in how completely a source considers alternative viewpoints. |
| credibility | The quality of being trustworthy and believable, established through the use of reliable evidence and sound reasoning. |
| diction | The choice and use of words and phrases in writing, including considerations of tone, formality, and connotation. |
| syntax | The arrangement and structure of words and phrases in sentences, including choices about sentence length, complexity, and grammatical patterns. |
| word choice | The specific words a writer selects to convey meaning, which can reveal biases and influence how an audience perceives the writer's credibility. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| argument | A position or claim supported by reasoning and evidence presented to persuade an audience. |
| audience | The intended readers or listeners for whom a writer creates an argument or message. |
| belief | The convictions or principles that an audience holds to be true, which influence how they interpret and respond to an argument. |
| context | The circumstances, background, and setting in which writing occurs that influence how a message is crafted and received. |
| evidence | Supporting details, examples, and information used to prove or defend a thesis. |
| language | The specific words, tone, and style choices a writer uses to communicate with an audience. |
| need | The requirements, interests, or concerns of an audience that a writer must address to make an argument persuasive and relevant. |
| organization | The structure or arrangement of ideas and information in a piece of writing. |
| perspective | The particular way a source views or understands a subject based on their background, interests, and expertise. |
| value | The principles or standards of behavior that an audience considers important or desirable. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ambiguity | Uncertainty or lack of clarity in meaning, often caused by unclear placement or reference of modifiers. |
| audience's needs | The specific information, context, or clarification that a reader requires to understand and engage with an argument. |
| complex perspective | A nuanced or multifaceted viewpoint that goes beyond surface-level meaning, often signaled through irony and other stylistic techniques. |
| conventions | The standard rules and practices of grammar, punctuation, and formatting that writers follow or deliberately manipulate. |
| irony | A stylistic device where there is a contrast or incongruity between what is stated and what is meant, or between expectations and reality, used to create a complex perspective in an argument. |
| modifiers | Words, phrases, or clauses that limit, restrict, or specify the meaning of other words in a sentence. |
| parenthetical elements | Words, phrases, or clauses inserted into a sentence to provide additional information without being essential to the sentence's basic meaning. |
| style | The distinctive way a writer expresses ideas through the combination of word choice, syntax, and conventions. |
| stylistic choices | Deliberate decisions a writer makes about language, tone, structure, and other elements of style to convey meaning and signal perspective to readers. |
| syntax | The arrangement and structure of words and phrases in sentences, including choices about sentence length, complexity, and grammatical patterns. |
| word choice | The specific words a writer selects to convey meaning, which can reveal biases and influence how an audience perceives the writer's credibility. |
| writer's purpose | The intended goal or effect a writer aims to achieve through their writing, such as to persuade, inform, or clarify. |