Loaded Language Flashcards

Loaded Language Overview

• Loaded language includes words and phrases that stir strong emotional responses, influencing perceptions beyond their literal meanings.
• Example: "Tax relief" suggests a positive impact, implying financial ease, despite its literal interpretation of tax reductions.

Definitions

• Denotation

  • Refers to the explicit, literal meaning of a word, without the influence of emotional associations.

• Connotation

  • Represents the emotional or cultural meanings that accompany a word, in addition to its literal definition.

Rhetorical Appeals

• Rhetorical Appeals: Crucial components of persuasion as identified by Aristotle:
  • Ethos: Relates to the credibility of the speaker or rhetor; perceived trustworthiness impacts persuasion.
  • Pathos: Involves appealing to the audience's emotions to elicit feelings that support the argument.
  • Logos: Appeals to logic and reasoning, emphasizing facts and evidence to persuade the audience.

Additional Concepts

• Ethos: Characterizes the spirit of a culture or community, reflecting shared beliefs and aspirations, which can fortify persuasive arguments.
• Bias: Represents an unfair preference or prejudice toward a person, group, or idea, potentially skewing judgment or interpretation.
• Logos: In a religious context, signifies the divine principle of order and reason, particularly connected to the identity of Jesus Christ in Christian theology.
• Pathos: Describes the quality in speech or writing that generates feelings of pity, empathy, or sadness, utilized to connect with the audience on an emotional level.