Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
epithet
a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name; a disparaging or abusive word or phrase
symbol
object used to represent an idea/theme
extended metaphor
a comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences
juxtaposition
placements of two things closely together to emphasize differences
oxymoron
using two contradictory words next to each other
euphemism
the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend
ellipsis
omitting some parts of a sentence to give the reader a chance to… fill the gaps
compound-complex
more than one sentence joined by a conjunction, one of which is complex; a compound sentence with a dependent, or subordinate clause.
“even though I missed the train, i waited for the next and relaxed”
antithesis
opposition or contrast of ideas/words in a parallel construction
imperative sentence
sentence that commands or demands
antimetabole
repetition of words in reverse order
antecedent
a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another; what pronouns refer to
allusion
reference to another source (e.g. Bible, mythology, poem, work of art)
archaic language
using language that is antiquated
“beliefs for which our forebears fought”
hortative sentence
sentence that exhorts, urges, entreats, implores, or calls to action
metaphor
comparison that replaces one object for another (stronger than simile)
syndeton
addition of multiple conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, words (slows down)
cumulative sentence
sentence where main clause is at the beginning and then more is added on
alliteration
use of words with the same consonant sound close together
“she sells sea shells by the sea shore”
simile
comparison that uses “like” or “as”
asyndeton
omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, words (speeds up)
imagery
descriptive language appealing to all five senses - sight, sound, touch, smell, taste - words used to paint a picture
synecdoche
using one part to represent a whole
simple sentence
one independent clause:
“i waited for the train”
rhetorical question
posing a question for effect rather than to get an answer
colloquialism
using language that reflects the way people actually speak (slang)
“i wasn’t born yesterday”
alliteration
repetition of the same sound beginning several words or syllables in sequence.
paradox
a statement that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true
assonance
repeating vowel sounds
parallelism
similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, clauses
anecdote
a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident used to explain, illustrate, or persuade
periodic sentence
sentence where main clause is withheld until the end
compound sentence
two independent clauses joined with a conjunction
“i was waiting for the train, and it came”
consonance
repetition of identical or similar consonants in neighboring words
hyperbole
deliberate exaggeration
maxim
a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
metonymy
the substitution of the name for an attribute of the thing meant
anaphora
repetition of words/phrases at beginning of successive phrases, clauses, lines
jargon
using language that is specific to a place, period, position, or occupation
“blue state”
connotation
the implied or contextualized meaning that underlies the main meaning of a word (consider emotional or intellectual interpretation)
“she’s feeling blue today”
personification
describing an inanimate object as if it were a person
motif
repeating symbol throughout a text
zeugma
using two different meanings of the same word within a sentence/line
tone
author’s attitude toward a subject and/or character
denotation
the literal, dictionary definition of a word
complex sentence
one independent clause and one dependent clause
“while i was waiting for the train, i realized i had missed it!”
repetition
just as it sounds, in order to emphasize or reiterate
open thesis
does not list all the points the writer intends to include, is usually inductive in its claim, and suggests a more abstract or universal claim of value
closed thesis
makes a more specific, limited claim of value, includes a list of the main points to follow
counter-argument thesis
usually starts with a summary of primary counterargument, is preceded by “but” or “although” and is usually followed by the writer’s primary claim
claims of fact
asserts that something is true or not; is arguable on basis of fact
claims of value
asserts something is good or bad, right or wrong, or is a cause or effect; draws conclusions from claims of fact
claims of policy
suggests a course of action as a result of the claims of fact and value
first-hand evidence
based on something the writer knows from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events
second-hand evidence
accessed through research, reading, investigation, interviews, polls
concession
acknowledgment of validity of opposing argument, usually accompanied with refutation
refutation
denial of validity of opposing argument in part or whole
qualify (a claim)
to make a claim about qualities or what something is in orderr to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions and motivations. provide insights into problem.
quantify (a claim)
claims and information about quantities with numerical data or statistics. to quantify defined variables
ad hominem
fallacy of relevance
attacking character of speaking instead of addressing topic
appeal to false authority
fallacy of relevance
using someone as an “expert” who is not actually an expert
faulty analogy
fallacy of relevance
drawing a comparison between two things that is logically irrelevant
red herrings
fallacy of relevance
bringing up unrelated topics before addressing argument (distraction)
non sequitur
fallacy of accuracy
claim where the reason does not connect logically
faulty causality (post hoc)
fallacy of accuracy
assuming that becase one event or action follows another, the first causes the second
false dilemma (slippery slope)
fallacy of accuracy
scare tactic that claims one action will lead to another, more extreme action presenting two extreme options as the only possibility
straw man
fallacy of accuracy
oversimplifying an example to ridicule or refute an opponent
bandwagon
fallacy of insufficiency
evidence boils down to everyone’s doing it so it must be good
circular reasoning
fallacy of insufficiency
presenting the claim as if it is the evidence
hasty generalization
fallacy of insufficiency
using a single anecdote or example to make a larger point
stack the deck
fallacy of insufficiency
argument that shows only one side of the story and refuses to even admit the existence of counterargument.
