Rhetoric Vocab 3 Flashcards
logical fallacy
a mistake in reasoning
Example in logical fallacy
cows in india die in summer, More ice cream is consumed in the summer. Therefore consumption of ice cream kills cows.
Metonymy
a figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea
Example of Metonymy
the pen is mightier than the sword
Motif
the repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work used to develop theme or characters
Example of motif
Use of Bird and Bird names in to kill a mockingbird
Onomatopoeia
words that sound like the sound that they represent
Example of Onomatopoeia
pop, gurgle, hiss, buzz
Oxymoron
an image of contradicting terms
Example of Oxymoron
pretty ugly, bittersweet, jumbo shrimp
parable
a story that operates on more than one level and usually teaches a moral lesson
example of parable
the boy who cried wolf
parody
a comic imitation of a work that ridicules the original. It can be utterly mocking or generally humorous. It depends on allusion and exaggerate and distorts the original style and content.
example of parody
Pride and prejudice with zombies is a parody of Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen
Pedantic
a term used to describe writing that borders on lecturing. It is scholarly and academic and often overly distant and difficult
Pedantic Examples
Bob likes to point out Susans minor errors and brag to her about his knowledge.
Personification
the assigning of human qualities to inanimate objects or concepts
Example of personification
The sun was smiling down on us
Persuasion
a type of argument that has as its goal in action on the part of the audience
example of persuasion
between the world and me, kennedy’s speech, MLK I have a dream speech
Point of view
the method of narration in a literary work
Example of point of view
1st person: I’ve come to this coffee shop so often the the barista knows me.
2nd person: You’ve been to this coffee shop so often the barista knows you.
Prosaic
commonplace, dull, especially language that doesn’t sing or sound inspired
Example of prosaic
He has a prosaic writing style
Pun
A play on words that often has a comic effect. Associated with wit and cleverness
Example of pun
two windmills are standing in a wind farm on asks what’s your favorite kind of music and the other says I’m a big metal fan
Reductio ad absurdum
the latin for to reduce to the absurd. This is a technique useful in creating a comic effect. It is considered a fallacy because it reduces an argument to an either or choice
Reductio ad absurdum
all my friends were doing it- I all of your friends were doing it would you jump off a cliff
Rhetorical questions
one that does not expect an explicit answer. It is used to pose an idea to be considered by the speaker or audience
Example of rhetorical questions
is the sky blue
are you crazy
whats in a name
Sarcasm
Comic technique that ridicules through caustic language. Tone and attitude may both be described as sarcastic in a given text if the writer employs language irony and wit to mock or scorn.
Example of sarcasm
When something says something obvious- no really sherlock. You are a genius.
Satire
A mode of writing based on ridicule that criticises the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution
Example of satire
The onion posts political satire such as, “US officials call for correct amounts of violence.”
Skepticism
A person who questions the validity or the authenticity of something supposedly factual; one with a doubting attitude.
example of skepticism
the teacher was skeptical when tommy said that his dog ate his homework
Socratic irony
to feign ignorance in a conversation in order to take advantage of an opponent
Example of socratic irony
a lawyer pressing a witness into admitting something that will help their case.
Style
the unique way an author presents his ideas. Diction, syntax, Imagery, Structure, and content all contribute to a particular style
Example of style
Dr suess has a distict style in his books, the cat in the hat, one fish two fish red fish blue fish.
syllogism
format of formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. It is a form of deductive reasoning.
Example of syllogism
all mammals are animals. all elephants are mammals. Therefore all elephants are animals.
synecdote
a figure of speech that utilizes a part as a representative of a whole
example of synecdote
all hands on deck
syntax
the grammatical structure of prose and poems
example of syntax
She is a person vs she am a person
Synthesis
locating a number of sources and integrating them into the development and support of a writers thesis /claim
Example of synthesis
reporting your feelings to a friend about a song that you got from someone else.
theme
the underlying ideas the author illustrates through characterization motifs, language, and plot
example of theme
atonement- betrayal and forgiveness
tone
the authors attitude toward his subject
example of tone
tone of haunting of hill house- creepy and eerie
voice
can refer to two different areas of writing one refers to the relationship between a sentences subject and verb. The second refers to the total sound of a writers style.
example of voice
Edgar allan poe- gothic style- melancholy, longing, dark, melodramatic
Mary shelley- paranoia, anger and regret
