21-40 Flashcards
Anaphora
In writing or speech, the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as Anaphora. This is possibly the oldest literary device, has its roots in biblical Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases. Gradually, Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice
Epistrophe
Derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences. It is also called epiphoria. Epistrophe examples are frequently found in literary pieces, in persuasive writing and speeches.
Asyndenton
Derived from the Greek word asyndeton, which means unconnected. It is a stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents in a concise form. Asyndenton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words. Mostly this technique is employed in speech but can be used in written works too
Polysyndeton
Comes from a Greek word meaning “bound together”. It makes use of coordinating conjunctions like “and”, “or”, “but”, “nor”, which are used to join successive words, phrases, or clauses in such a way that these conjunctions are even used where they might have been omitted
Synecdoche
Synecdoche is a literary device in which a part of something represents the whole or it may use a whole to represent a part. Distinguishing between this and metonymy often take some thoughtful consideration
Tone
Tone is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. It is something important for the reader to “sense” to determine an argument. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject
Process Analysis
A step-by-step breakdown of the phrases of a process, used to convey the details of each phase of thinking, an operation, etc. It is often used to improve understanding and also to breakdown an argument to make it more comprehensive
Syntax
Syntax is a set of rules in a language. It dictates how words from different parts of speech are put together in order to convey a complete thought. In English, “syntax” refers to HOW we choose to arrange our words. The choice of those specific words is called Diction. Thus, the two are closely related in creating an argument.
Provocative Diction
“Diction” is our choice of words. Thus, “provocative diction” is the purposeful choice of words serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate a provocative question that will frame a rhetorical argument
Classification
The action or process of classifying something according to shared qualities or characteristics. This often is a strategy of argumentation or an argumentative response in an effort to provide the reader with structure to YOUR argument. It would be considered a support to both LOGOS & ETHOS in presenting an argument.
Understatement
When you win the lottery of $10 million and you tell the news reporter “I am excited.” Or when a soccer team loses 0-50 and the coach says “We did not do well.” Trying to simple down the intensity of a situation. Opposite of HYPERBOLE or OVERSTATEMENT
Colorful Diction
Diction is your conscious choice of words as a writer. It stands to reason that “colorful diction” is a very purposeful word choice that will serve to accentuate meaning & tone.
Counter Argument
Argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. When writing in the argumentative mode, it is MANDATORY that a writer acknowledges the “other side” to their argument. It is part of the refutation of someone else’s claim to support your own “side” of the argument that you are making.
Claim
If somebody gives an argument to support their position, it is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical
Evidence
Evidence is a type of literacy device that appears in different categories of essays and these in the form of paraphrase and quotations. It is presented to persuade the readers and used with powerful arguments in the texts or essays. In rhetoric, when a person makes a claim or presents an argument, they need to present evidence in support of their claim and arguments in order to establish the veracity and authority of their claim or argument
