AWA Rhetorical Strategies and Persuasion Flashcards
6 cards from real AWA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 AWA Rhetorical Strategies and Persuasion flashcards as text
Which rhetorical appeal relies primarily on the credibility and authority of the writer?
Answer: Ethos
Ethos establishes the writer's trustworthiness and expertise, lending authority to the argument.
What is pathos in the context of AWA essay writing?
Answer: An emotional appeal intended to resonate with the audience's values or feelings
Pathos appeals to the reader's emotions or values, making abstract arguments feel personally relevant.
Which rhetorical device involves presenting the opposing view before systematically refuting it?
Answer: Concession and rebuttal
The concession-rebuttal technique acknowledges the strongest counterargument, then explains why it does not disprove the writer's position.
In AWA writing, logos refers to:
Answer: Logical reasoning, data, and evidence used to support the argument
Logos is the appeal to reason through evidence, logical inference, and well-reasoned argument.
What is a 'straw man' fallacy in persuasive writing?
Answer: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack
A straw man distorts the opposing view into a weaker version, then defeats that distortion rather than the actual argument.
Which technique strengthens an argument by showing awareness of its limitations?
Answer: Openly acknowledging where your argument applies less strongly while defending its core claim
Acknowledging limitations while defending the core claim demonstrates intellectual integrity and pre-empts reader skepticism.