Introduction Template

In this (TEXT TYPE) by the (AUTHOR) (Date), printed in (PUBLICATION), the author aims to
highlight the (PURPOSE). Targeting the (AUDIENCE) of the (CONTEXT), by using a (TONE)
tone and appealing to the (APPEAL), the article aims to (THESIS).

Rhetorical Device Meaning

Ethos (Appeal to Authority) An appeal to authority aiming to establish the credibility of

a speaker or source.
● For example, a writer might say “As a
veterinarian…” or “a Harvard University study…” or
“a constitutional scholar….

Pathos An appeal to the reader’s emotions.

They’re trying to make you feel something. Angry,
perhaps. Guilty. Sad. Jealous.

Logos An appeal to logic.

● When the author makes logical connections
between ideas, that’s logos. if this happens, then
this happens.

Call to Action A Call to Action is used by the author to urge readers to

follow through with his/her argument.

● The author will usually use this device in the

conclusion paragraph (in the last few sentences or
the paragraph itself).

● Use this persuasive element to point out how the

author deeply cares about his/her argument to the
point that he/she is urging others to act.

Challenging Assumptions Challenging Assumptions are used by the author to draw

attention to a seemingly common idea.

● The author will usually use this device as a topic

sentence and then elaborate on why his/her
argument disproves or challenges the common
belief.

● Use this persuasive element to point out that the

author forces the audience to clear any previous
misconceptions it may have had before reading the
author’s work. With this act, the author is able to
make readers consider his/her argument without
being blocked by any personal biases.
Making concessions Making Concessions are used by the author to show that
his/her argument is better than opposing ones (Similar to
Juxtapositions).

● The author will use this device to show that there

are feasible/positive arguments presented by
opponents.

● Use this persuasive element to point out how the

author establishes his/her argument as the most
reasonable compared to others’. To do so, the
author presents opposing arguments and then
contradicts these arguments as he/she follows up
with the practicality of his/her own.

Inclusive Language Words that make the reader feel part of a group. “We” is
(Appeal to Identity) an obvious one.

Anecdote A short personal story.

Allusion A reference to a book, movie, song, etc.

Testimony Quoting from people who have something to say about the
issue.

Statistics and Data Using facts and figures. Often accompanied by logos.

Colloquialism/ Slang Use of casual and informal language in writing

● A type of informal diction, often regional.

Jargon Specialized language

Diction Word choice.

● Diction can be high and fancy or low and informal.

● Writers can also use specific words for their
denotative (dictionary definition) meanings or their
connotative (associative) meanings.

Syntax Sentence structure.

Hypophora Writer raises a question, and then immediately provides an

answer to that question

Rhetorical Question A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to

make a point rather than to get an answer.

Metaphor Saying one thing IS another thing.

Analogy A comparison between two things, typically to explain

function. Usually one thing is more complicated and the
other is simple and common.

Simile Saying one thing is LIKE another thing.

Personification Giving a nonhuman thing human qualities.

Anthropomorphism Apply human traits or qualities to a non-human thing such

as objects, animals, or the weather.

Symbolism One thing represents something else.

Metonymy A metonym doesn’t just symbolize something else, it

comes to serve as a synonym for that thing or things —
typically, a single object embodies an entire institution.

● Examples: “The crown” representing the monarchy,

“Washington” representing the U.S. government

Foreshadowing When the author hints at events yet to come in a story.

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses.

● Includes: visual, tactile, olfactory, gustatory,
auditory

Onomatopoeia The formation of words from sounds which seem to

suggest their meaning

Hyperbole Exaggeration

Understatement Making something sound much less than it is.

Euphemism Use of a mild word for one thought to be rough or

offensive

Dysphemism A derogatory or unpleasant term used instead of a pleasant

or neutral one.

Lexical Field Lexical field or semantic field is the way of organizing

related words and expressions into a system which shows
their relationship to one another.

Assonance Repeated vowel sounds.

Consonance Repeated consonant sounds.

Plosive/ Explosive Cacophony is the placement of explosive consonants

Consonants close together.
● These sounds are usually generated by the
following letters or letter-pairs: B, D, T, K, P, G, C,
CH, Q, and X.
● The combination of explosive consonants forces
the reader to put extra emphasis on those sounds.

Euphony Euphony is the opposite of cacophony.

● It is the combination of easy-to-pronounce sounds.
Usually, these are soft sounds created with L, M,
N, F, soft C, and R.
Sibilance Sibilance is the repetition of a hissing sound within a
phrase or sentence.

Repetition Mentioning a word or phrase several times.

Epiphora The repetition of a word or a phrase at the end of two or

more successive lines, sentences etc.
● Makes the phrase more memorable and impactful

Parallelism Writing constructed in a similar, symmetrical manner.

● Authors may choose to break the parallel structure
to draw attention to the most important clause in a
sentence.

Tone The way the author’s voice sounds.

Words to describe tone:

Humor Jokes and funny language.

Irony Situational irony: the opposite thing happens from what

is expected.
Dramatic irony: The reader knows more than the speaker
or those being spoken about.
Verbal irony: Saying one thing and meaning the opposite.

Synecdoche A figure of speech using one part for the whole or

something special for something general
● For example, saying “ten sail” for ten ships or
“Croesus” for a rich man

Polysyndeton Conjunctions used in rapid succession

Asyndeton Words or phrases presented in series, separated by

commas only, without conjunctions

Ellipsis An incomplete sentence construction.

Anaphora The repetition of a word or a phrase at the beginning of

two or more successive lines, sentences etc.

Juxtaposition Holding two things up side by side to compare or contrast

them

Oxymoron Two contradictory words or phrases are combined

Dichotomy A division or contrast between two things that are or are

represented as being opposed or entirely different.
 Paradox A situation or statement that seems impossible or is
difficult to understand because it contains two opposite
facts or characteristics

Antithesis Mentioning one thing and its opposite.

Poetic devices Meaning

Masculine rhyme One syllable rhyme

Feminime rhyme Two (or more) syllable rhyme

Off-rhyme Rhyme is not quite exact, but listener still

feels it

Internal rhyme Rhyme within one line

Enjambment Continuation of a sentence without a pause

beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza

Meter The length of a line of verse, measured by

counting the stresses, is called the metre

Pentameter When there are five stresses the line is

called a pentameter

Free verse Poetry that does not rhyme or have a

regular rhythm

Chiasmus Contrasted terms are arranged crosswise,

the word order in the first phrase is
reversed in the second.

E.g. "She has all my love; my heart

belongs to her," or “It is boring to eat; to
sleep is fulfilling”

https://self-publishingschool.com/literary-devices/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/22-essential-literary-devices

Visual Devices:
https://quizlet.com/238482569/visual-stylistic-features-flash-cards/
https://99designs.hk/blog/tips/the-7-step-guide-to-understanding-color-theory/
https://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/color2.htm
Logical Fallacies
It is also possible that the provided essay will have flawed logic.

1) Loaded Words–Loaded words is the use of connotative language to sway the

listeners emotions
2) Slippery Slope–Slippery Slope suggests that if one small change is made it will
automatically lead to disastrous consequences
3) Straw Man–Straw Man fallacy occurs when an argument is misrepresented or
exaggerated in order to make it easier to attack.
4) Bandwagon–Bandwagon occurs when a course of action is done by many and
therefore is right or acceptable
5) Circular Reasoning (begging the question)–The conclusion is presented in the
premise
6) Either/Or–Presenting a situation as having only 2 possible points of view
7) Ad Hominem–Attacking an opponent’s personal qualities in order to undermine
his/her argument

Sentence Starters:

● In his commentary, _________ conveys a strong stance ________________.

● He believes___________________, and he implores the reader to reconsider the
implications of ________________.
● Through consideration of _________, exploring possible counterarguments to his
position, and judicious use of striking phrases and words, _____________
strengthens both the logic and persuasiveness of his argument that
______________.
● Implores the reader to __________________________-.
● To buttress his perspective, ________ deftly employs ________________________.
● In his introductory paragraph, the author points to _____________ to illustrate
_________________. He shares that _____________________.
● These X statements immediately give the reader pause, __________________.
● Clearly, _________________________. This can only mean ______________.
Furthermore, _______________________.
● This leads to another profound inference - ___________________These conclusions
are grave and thought-provoking.
● By introducing ______________, AUTHOR empowers the reader
to_______________.
● The rhetorical consequence is that the reader independently and actively agrees with
_________, rather than being a passive unengaged audience member.
● The pronoun _______, the possessive pronoun ___________, the declerative
_________, the active verb __________, the imperative __________ show … etc.

Topic Sentences:

A topic sentence basically identifies the key idea of a paragraph. All the sentences after it are
there to back up this "big claim" you make about the writing in the topic sentence. It effectively is
the main idea of what the feature discussed later is used to convey.
A topic sentence has multiple parts, you show a perspective or an elaboration on what the entire
article is about (which you will then support with evidence, analysis and rhetorical devices.)
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Good-Topic-Sentence

Good words:
● https://www.writerswrite.co.za/155-words-to-describe-an-authors-tone/

Acerbic: sharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive; severe

Aggrieved: indignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntled
Ambivalent: having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided
Apathetic: showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional
Ardent: enthusiastic; passionate
Belligerent: hostile; aggressive; combatant
Benevolent: sympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaning
Burgeon: to increase or grow rapidly
Callous: cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
Candid: truthful, straightforward; honest; unreserved
Caustic: making biting, corrosive comments; critical
Conciliatory: intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
Contemptuous: showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
Cynical: scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering
Derisive: snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful
Earnest: showing deep sincerity or feeling; serious
Esoteric: obscure; intended for only a small group to understand
Facetious: inappropriate; flippant
Farcical: ludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable
Flippant: superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous
Galvanise: to shock or excite
Ghoulish: delighting in the revolting or the loathsome
Gullible: naïve; innocent; ignorant
Hypercritical: unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking
Impassioned: filled with emotion; ardent
Inane: silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical
Incredulous: disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious
Irreverent: lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously
Laudatory: praising; recommending
Macabre: gruesome; horrifying; frightening
Malicious: desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful
Obsequious: overly obedient and/or submissive; fawning; grovelling; sycophantic
Patronising: condescending; scornful; pompous
Pensive: reflective; introspective; philosophical;
Pragmatic: realistic; sensible
Pretentious: affected; artificial; grandiose; rhetorical;
Satirical: making fun to show a weakness; ridiculing; derisive
Sensationalistic: provocative; inaccurate;
Substantiate: prove
Vindictive: vengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgiving
World-Weary: bored; cynical;