Literary and Rhetorical Terms

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Analogy

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Figurative language that makes comparisons in unexpected ways. Often an extended comparison to show similarities in process or structure.

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Appeal

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In rhetoric, the means of persuasion in an argument. According to Aristotle, there are three fundamental appeals: reason (logos), ethics (ethos), and emotion (pathos).

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Argumentative text

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A text in which the writer develops and defends a position or debates a topic using logic and persuasion.

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Audience

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The intended target group for a message, regardless of the medium.

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Author's purpose

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The reason an author writes about a particular topic, such as to persuade, entertain, inform, explain, or analyze.

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Bandwagon appeals

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A persuasive technique that appeals to the 'everyone is doing it' mentality.

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Bias

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A particular inclination, feeling, or opinion about a subject that is often preconceived or unreasoned.

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Citation

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A reference to the author's name, title of work, date published, publisher, and/or page numbers of quoted or paraphrased text.

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Claim

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An assertion, position, or arguable thesis about a topic or issue.

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Context

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The words, sentences, or passages that precede or follow a specific word, sentence, or passage.