polemical style
- noun
- /pəˈlɛmɪkəl staɪl/
- Formal
:
estilo polemico
- The current discourse on globalization is sometimes carried on in a polemical style uncharacteristic of past discussions in African art studies.
Examples
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With a fiery, polemical style, he made waves: "Mankind is thirsty for real knowledge and will not long put up with the shadow of it."
Academic text (2008) -
Apparently D'Souza's bigoted and polemical style appealed to his new employer because he proceeded to generate the same type of foam-at-the-mouth journalism that characterized the Dartmouth Review under his command.
Academic text (1992) -
The journalist's article was written in a polemical style, challenging the government's policies and igniting a fierce debate.
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His latest book employs a polemical style, as it argues passionately against climate change denial and criticizes those who ignore scientific evidence.
-
The professor is known for using a polemical style in her lectures, often prompting students to think critically and engage in spirited discussions.
Synonyms
56
7.5
The art of using language to persuade people when speaking or writing
3
8.7
Strong public writing and speech that attacks one view and supports another
3
9.1
A strong attack in writing or speech against an opinion
Speech or writing that is sharply critical and makes people feel bad
Speech or writing that strongly convinces and moves people
Antonyms
How Argumentative
- Offensive
27
9.5
- Formal
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'polemical' (argumentative/critical) simply modifies 'style' (manner of expression), so the meaning 'an argumentative or provocative manner of writing or speaking' is directly derivable from the parts. The construction is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the MWE.
Etymology
Polemical style comes from an old Greek word for war; polemical literally means 'warlike', so it paints the image of a writer using strong, fighting words. That's why it now describes a way of writing or speaking that is 'argumentative' and often meant to provoke debate.