APL Rhetorical Terms

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

Refers to language that describes concepts rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.

Question 2

Allegory

Answer 2

An extended narrative in prose of verse in which characters events and settings represent abstract qualities that are intended to be read “between the lines”.

Question 3

Anecdote

Answer 3

A short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point

Question 4

Annotation

Answer 4

Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical data

Question 5

Anthesis

Answer 5

The presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause or paragraph.

Question 6

Aphorism

Answer 6

A short often witty statement of a principle or a truth about life.

Question 7

Aostrophe

Answer 7

Usually in poetry but sometimes in prose; the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction.

Question 8

Argumentation

Answer 8

Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by pressing reasoned arguments.

Question 9

Cacophony

Answer 9

Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds usually used in poetry or prose.

Question 10

Caricature

Answer 10

Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a facet of personality.

Question 11

Colloquialism

Answer 11

A word or phrase used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing

Question 12

Coherence

Answer 12

Quality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central ides, theme, or organizing principle.

Question 13

Concrete Language

Answer 13

Language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places rather than ideas or qualities.

Question 14

Connotation

Answer 14

Implied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the readers mind

Question 15

Consonance

Answer 15

Repetition of identical consonant sounds sounds within two or more words in close proximit, as in boost, best; it can also be seen in several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong.

Question 16

Conundrum

Answer 16

A riddle whose answer is or involves a pun; it maybe a paradox or difficult problem.

Question 17

Deduction

Answer 17

The process of moving from general rule to a specific example.

Question 18

Denotation

Answer 18

Literal meaning of a word as defined

Question 19

Description

Answer 19

The picturing in words of something or someone through detailed observation of color, motion, sounds, taste, smell, and touch.

Question 20

Diction

Answer 20

Word choice, an element of style; diction creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning. Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning.

Question 21

Didactic

Answer 21

Writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A didactic work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns. Didactic writing may be fiction or non fiction that teaches a certain lesson or moral or provides a model or correct behavior or thinking.

Question 22

Discourse

Answer 22

Spoken or written language, including literary works; the four traditionally classified modes of discourse are description, exposition, narration, and persuasion.

Question 23

Emotional Appeal/Pathos

Answer 23

When a writer appeals to readers’ emotion to excite and involve them in the argument.

Question 24

Epigraph

Answer 24

The use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.

Question 25

Ethical Appeal/Ethos

Answer 25

When a writer ties to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

Question 26

Euphemism

Answer 26

A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. Euphemisms are also used to obscure the reality of a situation.

Question 27

Euphony

Answer 27

A succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of cacophony.

Question 28

Example

Answer 28

An individual instance taken to be representative of a general pattern.

Question 29

Explication

Answer 29

The art of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text. Explication usually involves close reading and special attention to figurative language.

Question 30

Exposition

Answer 30

The immediate revelation to the audience of the setting and other background information necessary for understanding the plot.

Question 31

Generalization

Answer 31

When a writer bases a claim upon an isolated example or asserts that a claim is certain rather than probable. Sweeping generalizations occur when a writer asserts that a claim applies to all instances within instead of some.

Question 32

Genre

Answer 32

A type of literary work, such as a novel or poem: there are also sub genres, such as science fiction or sonnet, within the larger genres.

Question 33

Humor

Answer 33

Anything that causes laughter or amusement; up until the end of the renaissance, humor meant a persons temperament.

Question 34

Hyperbole

Answer 34

Deliberate exaggeration in order to create humor or emphasis.

Question 35

Image

Answer 35

A word or words, either figurative or literal, used to describe a sensory experience or an object perceived by the sense.

Question 36

Imagery

Answer 36

Words or phrases that use a collection of images to appeal to one or more of the five senses in order to create a mental picture.

Question 37

Induction

Answer 37

The process that from a given series of specifics to a generalization.

Question 38

Inference

Answer 38

A conclusion one can draw from presented data.

Question 39

Invective

Answer 39

A verbally abusive attack.

Question 40

Inversion

Answer 40

Reversing the customary; subject first, then verb, then complement order of elements in a sentence or phrase; it is used effectively in many cases, such as posing a question.

Question 41

Jargon

Answer 41

Technical speak usually used by an expert in a certain profession or field of study.

Question 42

Logos

Answer 42

appeal to the logical side of an argument.

Question 43

Lyrical

Answer 43

song like, characterized emotional, subjectivity, and imagination

Question 44

Mode

Answer 44

the method used to form a literary work

Question 45

Mood

Answer 45

the tone of a piece of writing