Rhetoric is the study of effective writing and speaking. As we discuss our reading material this semester, we will also answer three main questions about each reading selection:
| Exigence | What has compelled the author to write? |
| Audience | To whom is the author writing or speaking? |
| Purpose | What effect does the author hope to have on his audience? |
We will also analyze the three main rhetorical appeals:
| ethos | Ethical appeal – Do we believe the author? |
| pathos | an author’s appeal to the reader’s emotions |
| logos | an author’s appeal to reason or logic |
In order to conduct productive discussions during the semester, we must have a common vocabulary of rhetorical terms. Please open the file below and study the listed rhetorical terms. Students will take a multiple-choice test on these Rhetorical Terms during the opening weeks of the semester. You will find that you have already learned many of these terms in other English courses, but some will be brand new to you. If you do not understand a term, please see the websites listed below for additional explanations and examples.
Click for Rhetorical Terms Review Game
Excellent Websites about Rhetorical Terms
Kentucky Classics: A Glossary of Rhetorical Terms with Examples
Silva Rhetoricae (Brigham Young)
