Rhetorical Strategies Flashcards

Author uses a quote from an expert or celebrity

"According to Oprah Winfrey..."

"In a recent study by Dr. Kloss, an expert in his field..."

Analyzes why something happens and describes consequences of the string of events

"Because Disney movies associate feminine speech with mitigated directives, girls believe they're supposed to be soft, gentle, and powerless"

Increased meat consumption in the United States is the leading cause of global warming.

Hidden assumptions, beliefs and ideologies, often unconscious, that groups of people hold in common

Discusses similarities and differences

Immigrants are drawn to America because it's the greatest nation in the world.

"While cats and dogs may not seem very similar, there is actually quite a bit of overlap in their care regimen"

"Though one is a weapon and one a mode of transportation, we would benefit from guns being regulated in a manner similar to cars"

How an author defines a certain word with a particular audience in mind.

In recent years, graphic novels have entered the realm of serious literature.

Though frowned upon by college administrations, plagiarism can actually be a lawful act of civil disobedience

Details sensory perception of a person, place, or thing

"Many parents have stories of a girl who insisted on rocking a toy train to sleep, or a boy who pushed a doll along the floor"

"Pouring over those yellowing pages of archival newsprint..."

Provides examples or cases in point

"[This applicant] was the leader /president/editor/captain/lead actress in every activity in her school..."

"And so, at age 53... Mr. Kearney took an unexpected detour from the delivery route... to the classroom"

Divides a whole into parts or sorts related items into categories

While we can't determine the best movie of all time ever, it's arguable that Heathers is the greatest of the classic 80s films

An author's attempt to build a personal connection with their audience

"As a parent of young boys myself, I understand the challenges of raising emotionally open sons"

"As a fellow cat lover, I'm sure I don't have to explain to you how cats are superior to dogs"

Language about language

"In this article, I'm going to show you how my argument is relevant to every day life"

Comparing two parallel terms or situations in which the traits of one are argued to be the traits of the other.

Assigning the characteristics of one thing to another thing

Life is like a race, the strongest competitor will always win

The ship was a beacon of hope

A sword is to a warrior as the pen is to a writer

Disney movies are widely circulated cultural artifacts

She's as innocent as an angel

Undercover police are wolves in sheep's clothing

Recounts an event

"A few days ago I watched my daughter Madalyn open a thin envelope from one of the five colleges to which she had applied..."

"For 16 years, Russell Kearney awoke at 1:30am to hoist boxed of Wonderbread and Hostess cakes onto a truck and deliver them along a 120-mile route through eastern North Carolina"

Anticipating the opposition's best argument and addressing it in advance

"Parents don't need to eradicate all stereotypical gender play, but..."

Of course, representation of various races, ethnicities and genders has improved over the last several decades. However, "better" is not good enough.

A question designed to have one correct answer

You wouldn't want your daughters to internalize the message that they're supposed to be passive, powerless, and dependent, would you?

If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?

It may be legal, but is it right?

A question that leads the reader to a new area or idea of the argument