Rhetoric vs. Argument — What's the Difference?

The art of effective or persuasive communication.

A reason or set of reasons given to support a conclusion.

Techniques employed to convince or persuade.

An exchange of diverging views.

The study of principles and rules of composition.

A form of discourse where a point is made through reasoning.

Ornate or high-flown language.

In logic and philosophy, an argument is a series of statements (in a natural language), called the premises or premisses (both spellings are acceptable), intended to determine the degree of truth of another statement, the conclusion. The logical form of an argument in a natural language can be represented in a symbolic formal language, and independently of natural language formally defined "arguments" can be made in math and computer science.

Rhetoric () is the art of persuasion, which along with grammar and logic (or dialectic – see Martianus Capella), is one of the three ancient arts of discourse. Rhetoric aims to study the techniques writers or speakers utilize to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations.

An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one

The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.

A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory

A treatise or book discussing this art.

An independent variable associated with a function or proposition and determining its value. For example, in the expression y = F(x₁, x₂), the arguments of the function F are x₁ and x₂, and the value is y.

Skill in using language effectively and persuasively.

Any of the noun phrases in a clause that are related directly to the verb, typically the subject, direct object, and indirect object.

A style of speaking or writing, especially the language of a particular subject

A summary of the subject matter of a book.

Language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, or intellectually vacuous

A discussion in which the parties involved express disagreement with one another; a debate

Verbal communication; discourse.

An angry discussion involving disagreement among the participants; a quarrel

Synonym of rhetorical.

(Archaic) A reason or matter for dispute or contention

The art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade.

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood

Meaningless language with an exaggerated style intended to impress.

A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason

The art of composition; especially, elegant composition in prose.

A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.

Oratory; the art of speaking with propriety, elegance, and force.

A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.

Hence, artificial eloquence; fine language or declamation without conviction or earnest feeling.

A topic; a subject

Fig. : The power of persuasion or attraction; that which allures or charms.

(Logic) The minor premise in a syllogism.

Using language effectively to please or persuade

The independent variable of a function.

High flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation

The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.

Loud and confused and empty talk;

(Computers) A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.

Study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)

(Linguistics) A word, phrase, or clause in a semantic relation with a word or phrase and that helps complete the meaning of that word or phrase, such as a noun phrase that is the object of a verb. The clause that we go is an argument of the verb suggest in the sentence I suggest that we go.

Skill in using language to influence or persuade.

A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason.

A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises.

(countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation.

(countable) An abstract or summary of the content of a literary work such as a book, a poem or a major section such as a chapter, included in the work before the content itself; (figuratively) the contents themselves.

(countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel.

Any dispute, altercation, or collision.

Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause.

The independent variable of a function.

The phase of a complex number.

A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends.

A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function.

A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter.

A matter in question; a business in hand.

The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic.

Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof.

To put forward as an argument; to argue.

To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

Proof; evidence.

A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.

A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.

The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.

Matter for question; business in hand.

The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.

The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends.

To make an argument; to argue.

A fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true;

A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement;

A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal;

A summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie;

A variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable

A summary of the subject matter in a book or document.

A mathematical relationship expressed in symbols.

Argument refers to a set of logical reasons presented to support a conclusion.

Ideally, an argument should be logical to be convincing.

Rhetoric refers to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.

Yes, rhetoric often includes arguments to bolster its effectiveness.

Argument is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.

Rhetoric aims to be persuasive but may not always succeed.

Yes, arguments can use rhetorical techniques to be more persuasive.

Argument aims to be objective, based on facts and logic.

Yes, arguments can be presented in both formal and informal contexts.

Rhetoric is primarily a noun.

Yes, emotional appeals are often used in rhetoric.

Yes, rhetoric can be employed in formal settings like debates and lectures.

Arguments focus more on logic, although they can employ emotional appeals.

Rhetoric is more focused on style and presentation.

Rhetoric often aims to appeal to subjective emotions or values.