Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
A statement that seems contradictory, but actually makes sense upon further examination
Paradox
The repetition of the same conjunction in close succession for rhetorical effect; adding extra conjunctions in a list
Polysyndeton
Emotions of pleasure and sadness caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again
Nostalgia
Words that are free from any restriction or condition, implying that something is always true, or applies to everyone (or never true and applies to no one)
Absolute
A word or phrase preceded by a pound sign. Used on social media to categorize a message or to insert a thought without the need to write a full grammatical sentence.
hashtag
A symbolic comparison in which two different things are treated as if they were alike
Metaphor
Adjectives used in order to indicate an extreme or unsurpassed level of emotions, association, or hatred for something, indicating that something is the best, worst, or “most” of its kind.
Superlative
An inconsistency or discrepancy among statements being made
Contradiction
The approach an author takes when trying to create an effective, compelling argument for their intended audience.
Rhetorical Appeals
The use of language in which multiple meanings are possible; there is no single clear meaning
Ambiguity
The repetition of two or more consonants with a change in intervening vowels
Consonance
Similarity in structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses
Parrallelism
A type of writing where the purpose is to give information; to explain, inform, or describe the subject matter.
Exposition
The main statement of an essay; the statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.
Thesis
The act or an instance of acknowledging a legitimate point of an opponent, accepting something as true, or admitting defeat
Concession
Ordinary or conversational language rather than formal speech or writing
Colloquialism
The difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant
Irony
The use of historically inaccurate details in a text; an error of chronology or timeline.
Anachronism
A recurring subject, theme, or idea that repeats itself throughout a work
Motif
An issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak
Exigence
The repetition of initial consonant sounds within close proximity in a sentence
Alliteration
The accidental use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect
Malapropism
A figure of speech which makes brief reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the text
Allusion
A phrase or opinion that is overused and conveys a lack of original thought
Cliche
The main idea or an underlying meaning of a work that may be stated directly or indirectly
Theme
The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive clauses or sentences
Epistrophe
Placing two dissimilar items side by side in order to highlight the contrast between them.
Juxtaposition
A new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings
Portmanteau
A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements, as in “clearly confused.”
Oxymoron
Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object involving any or all of the five senses
Imagery
Treating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by giving it human qualities
Personification
Using a word as a different part of speech than it’s intended, such as using a noun as a verb
Anthimeria
The condition of not matching or being out of place within a defined group
incongruity
The words an author chooses to use in order to achieve a desired effect
Diction
A figure of speech in which an absent person, thing, or abstract quality is addressed as if present
Apostrophe
The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses and sentences. It is sentence structure and how it influences the way a reader perceives a piece of writing
Syntax
A genre used to make fun or criticize an idea or human vice or weakness, usually done with the intent to incite change.
satire
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing
Euphemism
To say that (something) is greater or more important than it really is
Overstatement
An elaborate comparison between two things that are alike in some respects for the purpose of explaining something more clearly.
Analogy
A brief story told in a piece of writing, often from the writer’s personal experience, for the purpose of making a point
Anecdote
An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect
parody
The implied meaning of a word, apart from its literal definition; additional meanings closely associated with a word.
Connotation
The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or nearby words
Assonance
A figure of speech in which the order of the terms in the first part of the sentence is reversed in the second part.
Chiasmus
To count off or name one by one; to list
Enumeration
A figure of speech in which two distinct things are compared by using “like” or “as.”
Simile
Regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses
Anaphora
A fake or imagined situation created in order to make a point or envision an outcome
Hypothetical
Presenting something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is
Understatement
The feeling or ambience resulting from the tone of a piece, its subject matter, as well as the writer’s use of language
Mood
A figure of speech in which a smaller part of something is used to signify the whole thing, or vice-versa; a microcosm or macrocosm.
Synecdoche
A question asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected
rhetorical questions
The dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning
Denotation
The direct opposite; in opposition to a previously stated argument
Antithesis
The attitude a work takes towards its subject and theme which reflects the writer’s attitude
Tone
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally but used for the sake of emphasis
Hyperbole
The practice of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses in a list for the purpose of adding emphasis to each item in the list
Asyndeton
The term use to describe specific forms of writing; categories
Genre
Appeal to timing; the opportune time to say or do a particular thing
Kairos
