APL Rhetorical Terms Flashcards
Abstract
Describes concepts rather than concrete images (Ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places)
Allegory
an extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities & in which the writer intends a 2nd meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric.
Anecdote
Short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point.
Annotation
Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give biographical data.
Anthesis
The presentation of 2 contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or photos.
Aphorism
A short, often witty statement of a principle or a truth about life: “early bird gets the worm”
Apostrophe
In poetry but sometimes in prose; device of calling out to an imaginary, dead or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstract.
Argumentation
Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting reasoned arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation.
Cacophony; Dissonance
Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.
Caricature
Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a persons appearance or facet of personality.
Colloquialism
A word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation & informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing.
Coherence; Unity
Quality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea, theme, or organizing principle.
Concrete language
Describes specific, observable things, people, or places rather than ideas or qualities
Connotaion
Implied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the readers mind.
Consoance
Repetition of identical consonant sounds within 2 or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill & ping-pong.
Conundrum
A riddle whose answer is or involves a pun; may also be a paradox or difficult problem.
Deduction
The process of moving from a general rule to a specific example.
Denotation
Literal meaning of a word as defined.
Description
The picturing in words of someone or something through detailed observation of color, motion, taste, smell & touch; one of the 4 modes of discourse.
Diction
Word choice, an element of style; creates tone, attitude & style, as well as meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precis than street slang.
Didacttc
Writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. Usually formal & focuses on moral or ethical concerns. may be fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a moral of correct behavior or thinking.
Discourse
Spoken or written language, including literary works: The 4 traditionally classified modes discourse are description, exposition, narration, and persuasion.
Emotional appeal - pathos
When a writer appeals to the readers emotions (often through pathos) to excite & and involve them in the argument.
Epigraph
The use of a question @ the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.
Ethical appeal - ethos
When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him/her based on a presentation of image of self through the text. Repetition is sometimes a factor in the ethical appeal, but in all cases the aim is to gain the audiences confidence.
Euphemism
A more acceptable & usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. Also used to obscure the reality of a situation.
Euphony
A succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of cacophony.
Example
An individual instance taken to be represented of a general pattern.
