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Rhetorical Purpose

Terms in this set (91)

assumption
a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof
supposition
a belief held without proof or certain knowledge; an assumption or hypothesis
hypothesis
a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for future investigation
conjecture
an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
speculation
the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence
claim
a statement that something is true, often without proof
assertion
a confident statement that something is true
view
a particular way of considering or regarding something; an attitude or opinion
position
a person's point of view or attitude towards something
interpretation
an explanation of way of explaining
argument
a reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory
proponent
a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or course of actiokn
appeal
a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request
aspiration
a hope or ambition of achieving something
recommendation
a suggestion or proposal as to the best course of action
endorsement
declaring one's public approval or support of something
solution
a means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation
announcement
a formal public statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention
statement
a definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing
concern
a matter of interest or importance, especially one that causes anxiety or worry
problem
a matter of situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful
misconception
a view or opinion that is incorrect because based on faulty thinking or understanding
reply
an answer to someone else's statement or argument
admission
a statement acknowledging the truth of something (often that the other side of an argument has a good point)
concession
a thing that is granted, especially an acknowledgement that the other side of an argument has a good point
phenomenon
a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen
occurrence
an incident or event
precedent
an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide
character
a person in a novel, play, or film
setting
the place or time an event takes place
background information
the circumstances or situation at a particular time or surrounding a particular event
historical context
the set of circumstances that surround and precede an event
exaggeration
a statement that represents something as more or less than it really is
euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt
basis
the justification for or reasoning behind something
story
an account of imaginary or real people and events
anecdote
a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person
quote
repeat or copy out words from a text or speech written or spoken by another person
example
a particular event or occurrence illustrating a general rule
authority
a book, person, or other source able to supply reliable information or evidence
expert
a person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area
data
facts and statistics
digression
leaving the main subject temporarily
multifaceted
covering many different aspects or qualities
jargon
words or phrases that are intended to only be understood by a particular occupation
formal
officially sanctioned or recognized; serious; traditional
informal
having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature
equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
unequivocal
leaving no doubt; unambiguous
general
considering only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed
detailed
abundant or thorough in describing small items or parts
objective
not influenced by personal feelings or opinions
speculative
based on conjecture or guessing, rather than knowledge
supporting
suggesting the truth of; giving approval, agreement or encouragement
contrasting
compared in such a way as to emphasize differences
antithetical
in opposition to; the opposite of
substantiated
proven to be true with evidence
unsubstantiated
not yet proven to be true
dubious
not to be relied upon
established
having existed or done something for a long time and therefore recognized and generally accepted
unprecedented
never done or known before
candid
truthful and straightforward; frank
blunt
direct and to the point
flippant
not showing a serious or respectful attitude
careful
making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious
dramatic
exciting or impressive; theatrical
humorous
causing laughter and amusement; comical
introduce
bring something into use or operation for the first time
initiate
cause a process or action to begin
issue
begin or provide an argument or idea
offer
present or provide something to be accepted or rejected
present
introduce, demonstrate, or show
suggest
put forward for consideration
convey
communicate something (an idea or argument)
explain
make an idea or situation clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; answer the question "why"
discuss
speak or write about a topic in detail, taking into account different issues or ideas
provide
make available for use; give (typically reasons or facts)
emphasize
give special importance or value to something
report
given a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated
highlight
draw special attention to somethign
add
increase the size, amount, or importance of something with additional information
validate
prove the truth of something
concur
to agree
correct
point out and fix an error
qualify
make a statement or an argument less absolute; state an exception to a rule or theory
downplay
make something appear less important
criticize
indicate the faults of someone or something in a disapproving way
criticize
form and express a judgment of a work of literature
analyze
examine something methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it
evaluate
judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of something
refute
deny, contradict, or prove a theory to be wrong
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