Retorical Devices Flashcards
Allegory
Underlying meaning
Absolutes
Free from limitation
Allusion
Reference to a work of art
Analogy
Extended metaphor or simile for use of making an argument
Anecdote
Brief story to illustrate a point, based on the speakers knowledge
Antithesis
Opposing idea contrast
Apostrophe
Speaking to a non living object/idea as a person
Aphorism
Pithy or brief statement of truth
Asyndeton
Omission of conjunctions between words or phrases
Balanced sentence
Words or sentences set off against each other to emphasize contrast
Chiasmus
First clause followed by a structurally inverse clause
Complex sentence
One independent and one dependent clause
Compound sentence
Two independent sentences joined by a conjunction
Cumulative sentence
Main independent clause elaborated by succeeding phrases
Diction
Word choice
Language style
Didactic
Designed for teaching
Elegy
Sad poem
Epithet
Description of a character in Greek literature, cursing
Epigram
Pithy or brief statement of truth
Eulogy
Speech praising the dead
Euphemism
Nicer word to replace a vulgar one
Figurative language
Use of metaphors, imagery, etc..
Homily/sermon
Speech delivered in a church intended to instruct practice
Hyperbole
Overexageration
Juxtaposition
Two things unlike put close to each other to compare or contrast
Litotes
Generally uses the word ‘no’
Loose sentence
Main idea first followed by dependent grammatical units or phrases
Malapropism
Choosing a wrong word to replace a right word that sounds the same
Maxim
Pithy or brief statement of truth
Metaphor
Comparison without like or as
Metanomy
A term that is substituted for another with which is closely related
Non sequitur
An inference that does not follow logically from the premises
Parable
Simple story that illustrate a moral or religious lesson
Paradox
An apparently contradictory statement that actually contains some truth
Parallelism/Parallel structure
Using the same pattern of words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence
Parody
Work of any kind that imitates for ridicule, criticism, or tribute
Pedantic
Characterized by excessive display of learning or sholarship
Periodic sentence
Sentence with its main clause at the end to add emphasis
Polysyndeton
Use of more conjunctions than is necessary or normal
Rhetorical shift
Significant alteration of diction, syntax, or point of view in a work
Satire
Target human follies for ridicule
More comprehensive than parody
Simple sentence
A sentence consisting of one independent and no dependent clause
Syllogism
Deductive reasoning that presents 2 premises that leads to a valid conclusion
Synecdoche
An actual part is substituted for the whole
Related to metonomy
Understatement
Deliberate representation of something lesser in magnitude than it actually is
Vernacular
Everyday speech of a particular country or region
Rhetorical question
Statement to have readers agree with you
