Rhetorical Devices 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
2
Q
Abstract/Abstraction effect
A
Abstractions make writing more general
3
Q
Abstract/Abstraction Examples
A
- truth
- justice
- democracy
4
Q
Alliteration
A
- The repetition of consonant or vowel sounds in successive words
- Most often the sound in the first syllable is repeated
5
Q
Effect of alliterations
A
- beauty of sound and emphasis
6
Q
Alliteration examples
A
“Poor Paul was playing pickleball”
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
8
Q
Effect of allusions
A
- They evoke atmosphere, a story, or time period using only a few words
9
Q
Effect of a clause
A
- Brings clarity to writing
10
Q
Allusion examples
A
- Queen Elizabeth
- Cleopatra
- Montreal
- CN tower
11
Q
Antithesis, Antithetical
A
- A balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, clauses, paragraphs, or even larger units of writing
12
Q
Effect of antithesis,antithetical
A
- they are emphatic, often witty, and usually memorable
- they are effective in development by contrast
13
Q
Antithesis, Antithetical Examples
A
“God is love, I dare say. But what a mischievous devil Love is.“
14
Q
Assonance
A
- The repetition of internal vowel sound in closely following words
15
Q
Effect of Assonance
A
- adds beauty and emphasis to writing
16
Q
Assonance Examples
A
“a deep green stream.“
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
18
Q
Effect of balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence
A
- provides rhythm and emphasizes equal ideas
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.“
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
21
Q
Main Clause
A
A clause that stands by itself as a complete sentence
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
23
Q
Dependent Clause
A
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
24
Q
Dependent Clause Example
A
“While I go to the grocery store”
- Needs context to make it a sentence
25
Colloquialism, Colloquial
-language which occurs more often in speech than writing
- use of slang
26
Effect of colloquialism, colloquial
adds a conversational flavor to writing, making it more informal and entertaining
27
Colloquialism, Colloquial Example
- “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
28
Complex Sentence
a sentence containing one main clause and at least one dependent clause
29
Effect of complex sentences
add complexity and variety to writing
30
Complex Sentence Example
"When she arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off."
31
Connotation
- the attitudes, feelings, and emotions aroused by a word
- tend to be favourable or unfavourable
32
Effect of connotations
- Influence the emotional tone of writing
33
Connotation Example
- village and hicktown both refer to a small settlement
- Village has a neutral connotation
- Hicktown has a negative connotation
34
Consonance
- a kind of rhyme in which the same consonant follows different vowel sounds
35
Effect of consonance
adds beauty and rhythm to writing
36
Consonance Example
"Mike likes his new bike"
37
Cumulative Sentence
- begins with a general statement which it then expands in a series of particulars
38
Effect of cumulative sentences
- Emphasis trough variation
- Provide detailed descriptions
39
Cumulative Sentence Example
"I went to the mall yesterday, bought shirts and pants and ate at a new restaurant."
40
Figure of speech, figurative, figuratively
- any use of language for a stylistic affect
- metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration
41
Effect of figure of speech, figurative, figuratively
enhance writing by adding depth, vividness, and creativity to language
42
Image, Imagery
- a picture made with words
43
Effect of image, imagery
creates a vivid mental picture for the reader
44
Interrupted movement
Variation in normal sentence structure with clauses or absolute phrases that interrupt the regular word order
45
Effect of interrupted movement
adds variety and emphasis to writing
46
Interrupted movement example
"The renaissance, as we have seen, has not yet reached northern Europe."
47
Irony, ironic, ironically
- Reverse of what it says
- The use of words to mean something different from their surface meaning
48
Effect of irony, ironic, ironically
surprises and emphasizes points
49
Example of irony, ironic, ironically
Telling an idiot “You genius”
50
Loose Sentence
A sentence that begins with the main idea and is followed by explanations, details, and modifiers
51
Effect of loose sentences
-Emphasis through variation
- Provides detailed descriptions
52
Loose sentence example
"The mountain climber must use his head first, and only then his rope, ice-axe, and pitons."
53
Metaphor
- An implied comparison between two seemingly different things
- A metaphor states that one thing is another
54
Effect of metaphors
They clarify abstract concepts by making them concrete
55
Example of a metaphor
"Life is a journey"
56
Parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
- They sound rhythmic and balanced
- structure that is similar in phrasing and development
57
Effect of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
- Emphasizes ideas that are of equal importance
- Creates beauty of sound
58
Example of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
"She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.”
59
Periodic Sentence
- A sentence which delays the expression of a complete thought until the end, or until near the end
- More suited for formal writing
60
Effect of periodic sentences
Create emphasis through variation
61
Example of a periodic sentence
"Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie."
62
Personification
Ideas, animals, or things are given human attributes
63
Effect of a personification
Creates vivid images by humanizing objects or things
64
Personification Example
"The flowers danced to the wind"
65
Rhetorical Questions
A question asked for dramatic effect that does not demand an answer
66
Effect of a rhetorical question
- Sets up the point the writer wishes to develop
67
Example of a rhetorical question
"Are you crazy"
68
Simile
comparison between things using "like" or "as"
69
Effect of a simile
clarify concepts by comparing them to familiar things
70
Example of a simile
"As quiet as a mouse"
71
Symbol
A person, place, or thing that represents something real and tangible, as well as an abstract concept
72
Effect of symbols
Convey complex ideas and emotions by associating them with concrete elements
73
Example of a symbol
Canadian flag can symbolize Canada
74
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject and the reader
75
Example of tone
Tone can be: excited, scared, angry, etc
76
Understatment
- When the writer downplays or softens a situation
77
Effect of understatement
adds emphasis by creating a striking contrast between the subject and its treatment
78
Example of an understatement
"It seems to be raining a little," in the middle of a hurricane
