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English - Rhetoric > Rhetorical Devices > Flashcards

Rhetorical Devices Flashcards

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Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

Abstract/Abstraction

A
  • A word or phrase that refers to ideas, as relationships, generalities is abstract
  • The more general the meaning of any given word, the more abstract it tends to be
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2
Q

Abstract/Abstraction effect

A

Abstractions make writing more general

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3
Q

Abstract/Abstraction Examples

A
  • truth
  • justice
  • democracy
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4
Q

Alliteration

A
  • The repetition of consonant or vowel sounds in successive words
  • Most often the sound in the first syllable is repeated
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5
Q

Effect of alliterations

A
  • beauty of sound and emphasis
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6
Q

Alliteration examples

A

“Poor Paul was playing pickleball”

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7
Q

Allusion

A
  • a reference to a generally familiar person, place, or thing, whether real or legendary
  • most allusions are drawn from history, geography, the Bible, mythology, and literature
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8
Q

Effect of allusions

A
  • They evoke atmosphere, a story, or time period using only a few words
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9
Q

Effect of a clause

A
  • Brings clarity to writing
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10
Q

Allusion examples

A
  • Queen Elizabeth
  • Cleopatra
  • Montreal
  • CN tower
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11
Q

Antithesis, Antithetical

A
  • A balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, clauses, paragraphs, or even larger units of writing
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12
Q

Effect of antithesis,antithetical

A
  • they are emphatic, often witty, and usually memorable
  • they are effective in development by contrast
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13
Q

Antithesis, Antithetical Examples

A

“God is love, I dare say. But what a mischievous devil Love is.“

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14
Q

Assonance

A
  • The repetition of internal vowel sound in closely following words
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15
Q

Effect of Assonance

A
  • adds beauty and emphasis to writing
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16
Q

Assonance Examples

A

“a deep green stream.“

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17
Q

Balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence

A
  • contains two distinct halves or parts, each of about the same length and importance
  • Similar constructions appear in the same place in each half and balance one another
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18
Q

Effect of balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence

A
  • provides rhythm and emphasizes equal ideas
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19
Q

Balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence example

A

“There’s never time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it over.“

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20
Q

Clause

A
  • grammatically related group of words containing a subject and a predicate
  • 2 different types: a main clause and a dependent clause
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21
Q

Main Clause

A

A clause that stands by itself as a complete sentence

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22
Q

Main Clause Example

A
  • “from the beginnings of civilization until very recently, women in most societies were literally the property of their husbands and fathers.”
  • Starting from women is a main clause
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23
Q

Dependent Clause

A

A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence

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24
Q

Dependent Clause Example

A

“While I go to the grocery store”
- Needs context to make it a sentence

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25
Q

Colloquialism, Colloquial

A

-language which occurs more often in speech than writing
- use of slang

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26
Q

Effect of colloquialism, colloquial

A

adds a conversational flavor to writing, making it more informal and entertaining

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27
Q

Colloquialism, Colloquial Example

A
  • “he revered the dignity of her face and the quiet beauty of her smile; in Sam, he thought that she was pretty cute.“
  • Last clause is a colloquial
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28
Q

Complex Sentence

A

a sentence containing one main clause and at least one dependent clause

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29
Q

Effect of complex sentences

A

add complexity and variety to writing

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30
Q

Complex Sentence Example

A

“When she arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off.”

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31
Q

Connotation

A
  • the attitudes, feelings, and emotions aroused by a word
  • tend to be favourable or unfavourable
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32
Q

Effect of connotations

A
  • Influence the emotional tone of writing
33
Q

Connotation Example

A
  • village and hicktown both refer to a small settlement
  • Village has a neutral connotation
  • Hicktown has a negative connotation
34
Q

Consonance

A
  • a kind of rhyme in which the same consonant follows different vowel sounds
35
Q

Effect of consonance

A

adds beauty and rhythm to writing

36
Q

Consonance Example

A

“Mike likes his new bike”

37
Q

Cumulative Sentence

A
  • begins with a general statement which it then expands in a series of particulars
38
Q

Effect of cumulative sentences

A
  • Emphasis trough variation
  • Provide detailed descriptions
39
Q

Cumulative Sentence Example

A

“I went to the mall yesterday, bought shirts and pants and ate at a new restaurant.”

40
Q

Figure of speech, figurative, figuratively

A
  • any use of language for a stylistic affect
  • metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration
41
Q

Effect of figure of speech, figurative, figuratively

A

enhance writing by adding depth, vividness, and creativity to language

42
Q

Image, Imagery

A
  • a picture made with words
43
Q

Effect of image, imagery

A

creates a vivid mental picture for the reader

44
Q

Interrupted movement

A

Variation in normal sentence structure with clauses or absolute phrases that interrupt the regular word order

45
Q

Effect of interrupted movement

A

adds variety and emphasis to writing

46
Q

Interrupted movement example

A

“The renaissance, as we have seen, has not yet reached northern Europe.”

47
Q

Irony, ironic, ironically

A
  • Reverse of what it says
  • The use of words to mean something different from their surface meaning
48
Q

Effect of irony, ironic, ironically

A

surprises and emphasizes points

49
Q

Example of irony, ironic, ironically

A

Telling an idiot “You genius”

50
Q

Loose Sentence

A

A sentence that begins with the main idea and is followed by explanations, details, and modifiers

51
Q

Effect of loose sentences

A

-Emphasis through variation
- Provides detailed descriptions

52
Q

Loose sentence example

A

“The mountain climber must use his head first, and only then his rope, ice-axe, and pitons.”

53
Q

Metaphor

A
  • An implied comparison between two seemingly different things
  • A metaphor states that one thing is another
54
Q

Effect of metaphors

A

They clarify abstract concepts by making them concrete

55
Q

Example of a metaphor

A

“Life is a journey”

56
Q

Parallel, parallelism, parallel construction

A
  • They sound rhythmic and balanced
  • structure that is similar in phrasing and development
57
Q

Effect of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction

A
  • Emphasizes ideas that are of equal importance
  • Creates beauty of sound
58
Q

Example of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction

A

“She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.”

59
Q

Periodic Sentence

A
  • A sentence which delays the expression of a complete thought until the end, or until near the end
  • More suited for formal writing
60
Q

Effect of periodic sentences

A

Create emphasis through variation

61
Q

Example of a periodic sentence

A

“Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie.”

62
Q

Personification

A

Ideas, animals, or things are given human attributes

63
Q

Effect of a personification

A

Creates vivid images by humanizing objects or things

64
Q

Personification Example

A

“The flowers danced to the wind”

65
Q

Rhetorical Questions

A

A question asked for dramatic effect that does not demand an answer

66
Q

Effect of a rhetorical question

A
  • Sets up the point the writer wishes to develop
67
Q

Example of a rhetorical question

A

“Are you crazy”

68
Q

Simile

A

comparison between things using “like” or “as”

69
Q

Effect of a simile

A

clarify concepts by comparing them to familiar things

70
Q

Example of a simile

A

“As quiet as a mouse”

71
Q

Symbol

A

A person, place, or thing that represents something real and tangible, as well as an abstract concept

72
Q

Effect of symbols

A

Convey complex ideas and emotions by associating them with concrete elements

73
Q

Example of a symbol

A

Canadian flag can symbolize Canada

74
Q

Tone

A

The author’s attitude toward the subject and the reader

75
Q

Example of tone

A

Tone can be: excited, scared, angry, etc

76
Q

Understatment

A
  • When the writer downplays or softens a situation
77
Q

Effect of understatement

A

adds emphasis by creating a striking contrast between the subject and its treatment

78
Q

Example of an understatement

A

“It seems to be raining a little,” in the middle of a hurricane

English - Rhetoric (1 decks)

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