Rhetoric Terms Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the means of persuasion according to Aristotle's rhetorical theory?

Ethos

Pathos

Logos

All of the above (correct)

What does inartistic proof consist of?

Essentially, facts and evidence.

What is stasis?

A procedure within rhetorical invention to arrive at a state in which there is no action or progress.

What does logos refer to in rhetorical terms?

Persuasive appeal to reason. Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, the chief components of a compelling ____ in rhetoric are goodwill, practical wisdom, and virtue.

ethos Signup and view all the answers

What does pathos appeal to?

The audience's emotions. Signup and view all the answers

Define deduction in the context of reasoning.

A method of reasoning where a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises. Signup and view all the answers

What is induction?

A method of reasoning by which a rhetor collects instances and forms a generalization. Signup and view all the answers

What does an argument by signs/probability involve?

Describing something as possible or impossible to encourage or discourage. Signup and view all the answers

What does an argument by definition invite one to consider?

The larger group to which something belongs, and its similarities or differences with other members. Signup and view all the answers

What is an argument by similarity?

An argument that compares and contrasts an item with others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of an argument by cause/effect?

Considering the effects of a given cause or the causes of given effects. Signup and view all the answers

What does testimony involve in rhetorical arguments?

Citing someone or something else to bring credibility to one's argument. Signup and view all the answers

What are material topics in rhetoric?

Topics that often address in-depth issues requiring more analysis before a decision can be made. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rhetoric Terms Overview

Artistic Proof: Means of persuasion including ethos, pathos, and logos as per Aristotle's rhetorical theory.
Inartistic Proof: Facts and evidence not created by the speaker; includes laws, contracts, witness testimonials, and documents such as photographs and surveys.

Rhetorical Concepts

Stasis: A rhetorical invention procedure involving the asking of specific questions to reach a conclusion; represents a state with no action or progress.
Logos: A persuasive appeal to reason, emphasized by Aristotle. Represents the use of logical reasoning in arguments.
Ethos: Persuasive appeal based on the speaker's character; includes components of goodwill, practical wisdom, and virtue.
Pathos: Emotional appeal in persuasion, aimed at influencing the audience's feelings.

Reasoning Methods

Deduction: A reasoning method where conclusions necessarily follow from given premises.
Induction: Forming generalizations based on multiple specific instances.

Argumentation Techniques

Argument by Signs: Describes possibilities to encourage or discourage actions based on circumstances.
Argument by Definition: Considers the larger group of which something belongs to highlight similarities or differences; e.g., treating littering as a punishable crime against society.
Argument by Similarity: Compares and contrasts items; uses analogy to draw conclusions from shared characteristics.
Argument by Cause/Effect: Explores the relationships between causes and their effects; used to illustrate implications, such as in Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal".
Testimony: Credibility added to arguments by citing other sources or individuals.

Types of Topics in Rhetoric

Material Topics: Focus on tangible subjects or phenomena.
Formal Topics: Concerned with structural and formal aspects of arguments.
Common Topics: General subjects applicable across various situations in argumentation.
Special Topics: In-depth issues requiring significant analysis and detailed discussion before decisions are made.

Description

Test your knowledge of key rhetorical terms related to invention with these flashcards. Explore concepts like artistic and inartistic proofs as defined by Aristotle, and enhance your understanding of persuasion techniques.