Rhetorical Choice Vocab Flashcards
Repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence
alliteration
Brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art
allusion
A comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things. Often uses something simple or familiar to explain something unfamiliar or complex.
analogy
Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines
anaphora
A brief story used to illustrate a point or claim
anecdote
Opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction
antithesis
A process of reasoned inquiry. A persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.
argument
A statement that presents a claim or thesis
assertion
An acknowledgment that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.
concession
In classical oration, this major part of an argument comes between the narration and refutation; it provides the development of proof through evidence that supports the claims made by the speaker
confirmation
Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition, or denotation. Connotations are often positive or negative, and they often greatly affect the author’s tone. Consider the connotations of the wods in the following example which all mean “overweight.” E= That cat is plump. That cat is fat. That cat is obese
connotation
A speaker’s choice of words. Analysis of diction looks at these choices and what they add to the speaker’s message
diction
Greek for character. Speakers appeal to the ethos to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy to speak on a given topic. Ethos is established by both who you are and what you say.
ethos
Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to produce a comic or ironic effect; an overstatement to make a point.
hyperbole
A description of how something looks, feels, tastes, smells, or sounds. Imagery may use literal or figurative language to appeal to the senses.
imagery
A figure of speech that occurs when a speaker or character says one thing but means something else, or when what is said is the opposite of what is expected, creating a noticeable incongruity.
irony
Placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities and differences
juxtaposition
Greek for “embodied thought.” Speakers appeal to logos, or reason, by offering clear, rational ideas and using specific details, examples, facts, statistics or expert testimony to back them up.
logos
Figure of speech that compares two things without using like or as
metaphor
Figure of speech in which something is represented by another thing that is related to it or emblematic of it.
metonymy
The feeling or atmosphere created by a text
mood
A paradox made up of two seemingly condictradictorey words
oxymoron
A statement or situation that is seemingly contradictory on the surface, but delivers an ironic truth
paradox
Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses
parallelism
Greek for suffering or experience. Speakers appeal to pathos to emotionally motivate their audience. More specific appeals to pathos might play on the audience’s values, desires, and hopes, on the one hand, or fears and prejudices, on the other
pathos
Attribution of a lifelike quality to an inanimate object or an idea
personification
A figure of speech used to explain or clarify an idea by comparing it explicitly to something else, using words like, as, or though
simile
The arrangement of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.
syntax
A speaker’s attitude toward the subject conveyed by the speakers stylistic and rhetorical choices
tone
Use of two different words in a grammatically similar way that produces different, often incongruous, meanings.
zeugma
