Rhetoric Terms Flashcards
allegory
using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent something
alliteration
repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants
allusion
reference to, commonly known event or place
anaphora
repeated at the beginning of lines
anecdote
a short narrative
aphorism
a statement that expresses general truth or a moral principle
asyndeton
deliberate omission of conjunctions
atmosphere
mood
colloquial
the usage of slang or informality in speech/writing (includes local/regional dialects)
conceit
an extended metaphor
connotation
the non-literal meaning of a word
denotation
the literal definition of a word
diction
a writer’s word choice
didactic
teaching
euphemism
a less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word
homily
a sermon
hyperbole
deliberate exaggeration
hypophora
when questions are asked and then answered by the same speaker
irony
the contrast between what is stated and what is really meant
juxtaposition
when two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast
onomatopeia
sounds are imitated
paradox
a statement that appears to be self-contradictory, but open closer inspection contains truth
pedantic
overly scholarly, academic, or bookish
personification
human characteristics of non-human things
polysyndeton
intentionally employs a series of conjunctions
rhetoric
principles governing the art of writing effectively, eloquently, and persuasively
satire
a work that target human or social conventions for reform or ridicule
syntax
the way an author chooses to join words into phrases
theme
the central idea
tone
the author’s attitude
thesis
the author’s opinion, purpose, meaning, or position
