Ethos is a persuasive technique in which individuals rely on their credibility or character to sway others. When someone comes across as trustworthy, we are receptive to their message. Due to this, speakers and writers strive to impress upon us that they have authority on the subject matter and sincerity and, therefore, are worth listening to.
ExamplesA politician is speaking to an audience of blue-collar workers and emphasizes his experience working a factory job. He establishes common ground with the workers and showcases that he understands their challenges and concerns.
You may come across ethos in various contexts where persuasion and argumentation are involved, including politics, advertising, and legal proceedings.
Published on
June 25, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
August 13, 2024
Verbosity is the quality of being excessively wordy in writing or speech. Verbose sentences can always be made shorter and simpler.
Verbosity example“If you really want to know, I’m late today because I forgot to lock my front door and I had to go all the way back after I had already left for work, and then I drove over a nail in the road, which gave me a flat tire, and roadside assistance didn’t come for another hour.”
A concise version of this sentence would be, “I’m late because I got a flat tire.”
“Verbosity” comes from the Latin word verbosus, which means wordy.
A mixed metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two incompatible metaphors into one comparison.
Mixed metaphors are often unintentional. When writers intentionally use them, they often signal their use (e.g., “excuse the mixed metaphor”).
Mixed metaphor examplesThe light of our love is a candle burning in the dark. If we cling to it, it will save us from the roughest seas. [Love is compared to a candle in the first sentence and a life preserver in the second]
Children are little sponges, soaking up knowledge. One day, they will blossom into flowers of wisdom. [Children are compared to sponges in the first sentence and seeds in the second]
The rhetorical triangle is a tool for organizing the three elements of rhetoric according to Aristotle. These elements, known as ethos, pathos, and logos, are often depicted as a triangle with logos at the top and ethos and pathos at the bottom corners.
The purpose of the triangle is to remind writers and speakers that a well-developed argument typically balances all three elements.
A neologism is a newly coined word or expression or a new meaning for an existing word. Neologisms are created to describe new concepts or phenomena and are often driven by changes in culture, society, and technology. Although they have yet to be established in mainstream language, some neologisms gain traction over time and become more widely accepted.
Neologism examplesMany neologisms describe behaviors related to technology. For example, we google things, we uber places, and we get upset when someone is ghosting us.
Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different to the actual meaning.
Verbal irony is intentional and can be used to create humor or to make a point. Because verbal irony allows us to communicate ideas or emotions indirectly, it adds depth and nuance to our communication.
Example of verbal ironySuppose you and your friend are on your way to a restaurant on a Saturday evening, but you get stuck in traffic. Your friend turns to you and says: “This is so much fun. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening!”
Verbal irony is common in literature and in everyday conversations, but it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication.
Figurative language involves using words in ways that extend beyond their literal meanings to create vivid imagery or evoke emotions. This includes techniques such as metaphors, idioms, and similes, which can make ideas more engaging and relatable.
It is the opposite of literal language, which focuses strictly on facts without any embellishment or imagination.
Figurative language examplesThey unfortunately tried to cut corners when they were renovating. [idiom]
The cat was purring with contentment on my lap. [onomatopoeia]
His requests for a raise have been met with deafening silence. [hyperbole]
My niece is a little angel. [metaphor]
Figurative language can make your writing more engaging, but it can be difficult to incorporate naturally. QuillBot’s free AI writer can give you suggestions for figurative language to improve any type of writing.
Connotation is the suggested or implied meaning of a word beyond its literal definition. This additional meaning varies depending on a person’s individual experiences and cultural context. Connotation plays a crucial role in how we interpret language, as it adds layers of meaning beyond the explicit definitions of words.
Connotation exampleThe literal meaning of “home” is the place where one lives. However, it may also be associated with feelings of warmth, safety, or deprivation, depending on a person’s individual experience. These subjective associations are what we call connotations.
An analogy is a comparison between two things that are typically considered unlike for the purpose of explanation or clarification. By emphasizing how two distinct entities or ideas are similar in some ways, analogies help us to comprehend unfamiliar concepts or ideas by drawing parallels with familiar ones.
Analogy exampleA good teacher is like a good captain. Just as a captain guides and steers the ship, a teacher guides and steers their students toward knowledge. Both must possess leadership skills and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances to ensure a successful journey.
Analogies are commonly used in literature, everyday language, and problem-solving.
Hyperboleis the use of exaggerated language that is not meant to be taken literally. This is usually done to emphasize a point or add humor to a situation. We encounter hyperboles in various contexts, including literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.
Hyperbole examplesHow’ve you been? I haven’t seen you for ages.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop a mile away.
He was as tall as a skyscraper.
There’s enough food in the cupboard to feed an entire army.
