Lang Rhetorical Test Flashcards
Parallel structure
The structure required for expressing two or more grammatical elements of equal rank: coordinate ideas, compared and contrasted ideas, and correlative construction.
Ex: “Colleges favor applicants with strong academics, varied interests, and high standardized test scores.”
Syllogism
A form of deductive reasoning in which given certain ideas or facts, other ideas or facts must follow.
Ex: If P then Q, P, therefore Q
verisimiltude
Similar to the truth; quality of realisn that persuades readers that theyre getting a vision of life as it is
Tone
The authors attitude toward the subject being written about. Characteristic emotion that pervades a work or part of a work, emotional essence of a work.
Ambiguity
A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple interpretations
Fallacy
A mistaken belief based on bad data or a bad argument
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers
Euphemism
A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term
Rhetoric
The language of a work and its style; words, often highly emotional, used to convince or sway an audience.
Voice
The real or assumed personality used by a writer or speaker. two forms.
Synecdoche
Figure of speech in which a part represents the whole.
Ex: Pen is mightier than the sword.
The pen represents written word, sword represents war and battle.
Narrative
Telling of an account over a given time or space
Syntax
The arrangement or organization of language into meaningful structure; every sentence has this, or a pattern of words
Rhetorical modes
General term that identifies discourse according to its chief purpose. Includes exposition, argumentation, description, and narration.
Styllistic devices
A general term referring to diction, syntax, tone, figurative language, and all other elements that contribute to a manner of a given piece of discourse.
Anaphora
The repetition of a word/words at the beginning of two or more successive verses, clauses, or sentences.
Argumentation
Writing that attempts to persuade or prove the validity of a point
Analogy
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them
Explication
Interpretation or analysis of text
Antithesis
A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences
Paradox
A statement that seems self-contradictory and true
Inductive reasoning
A method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization
Apostrophe
A locution adressing a person or personified thing not present.
Ex: “Oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I abhor you!”
Description
The picturing in words of something/one through detailed observation
Diction
Word choice
Connotation
The suggested or implied meaning of a word or phrase
Exposition
The background and events that lead ti the main idea of a purpose of an essay or other work
Metonymy
A figure of speech using the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated
Deductive reasoning
A method by which specific definitions, conclusion, and theorems are drawn from general principles
Refutation
The part of discourse wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and refuted
Persona
The role or facade that a character assumes or depicts to a reader
Parody
An imitation of a work meant to ridicule its style and subject
