Terms to Know

Terms to KnowUnit 5

Re-

Again, back

Mis-

Bad or badly, wrong

Sym-, Syn-

Together, same

Hypo-

Under, below, less

Hyper-

Over, beyond, high

Thesis statement

The main proposition that a writer attempts to support in a piece of writing.

Argument

A carefully stated claim supported by reasons and evidence.

Claim

Writer’s position on a problem or an issue.

Support

The reasons and evidence that help to prove the claim.

Persuasive Techniques

Methods that are used to sway your heart and mind.

Loaded Language

Relies on words with strongly positive or negative associations.

Ex: words with a positive association; words with a negative association.

Emotional Appeal

Uses strong feelings, rather than facts and evidence, to persuade.

Ex: Appeal to fear; appeal to vanity.

Appeal by Association

“Sell” a product or an idea by linking it with something or someone positive or influential.

Ex: Bandwagon; Testimonial.

Logical Appeal

Rely on facts and evidence to support a claim.

Logical Fallacy

Mistaken ways of reasoning.

Vague Language

Statements that are unclear.

Faulty Reasoning

Claim based on information that is incorrect, biased, or simply does not make sense.

Snob Appeal

Sends the message that something is valuable because only “special” people appreciate it.

Ex: “Our jeans are designed for people who insist on quality.”

Circular Reasoning

Reasons that say the same thing over and over again using different words.

Bandwagon

Taps into people’s desire to belong to a group.

Ex: “Don’t miss the fundraiser that everyone’s talking about!”

Target Audience

A specific population or group of people an advertiser hopes to persuade.

Stereotype

A narrow, fixed idea about all the members of a certain group.

Ex: “No politician can be trusted.”

Propaganda

The attempt to convince an audience to accept ideas without considering other viewpoints.

Storyboard

A plan that presents images and brief descriptions of a product.

Endorsement

A recommendation made by someone who is well-known but not necessarily an authority.

Ex: Celebrities use their fame to persuade you to believe in a cause, candidate, or product.

Testimonial

Relies on the backing of a celebrity, an expert, or a satisfied customer.

Ex: “As the lead singer of “Destination Home,” I know good sound when I hear it. That’s why I won’t go anywhere without my FX portable music player.”

Make sure to study for your test!!!