Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Ad Hominem
An argument arising from or appealing to the emotions and not reason of logic directed toward the person rather than the opponent’s idea.
*comes from the Latin meaning “against the man”
Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc.
Anaphora
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause AT THE BEGINNING OF TWO OR MORE SENTENCES IN A ROW.
purpose: makes the writer’s point more coherent
Anecdote
a short, simple, narrative of an incident
often used for humorous effect or to make a point
Antithesis
presentation of two contrasting images
The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
ex. to be or not to be
Asyndeton
Commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words.
ex. X,Y,Z
Diction
Word choice, an element of style;
purpose: creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning
Epistrophe
repetition of a word or expression AT THE END of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect.
ex. “of the people, by the people, for the people”
Euphemism
a more pleasant way of stating something that may be inappropriate or uncomfortable
Figurative Language
language that contains figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, in order to create associations that are imaginative rather than literal.
Imagery
Word or phrases that use a collection of images to appeal to one or more of the 5 senses in order to create a mental picture
Irony
A situation or statement which the actual outcome or meaning is the opposite of what was expected.
Metonymy
A figure of speech that uses the name of an object, person, or idea to represent something with which it is associated.
ex. Crown = monarch
* usually not a body part
Non- sequitur
When one statement isn’t logically connected to another
Latin for “it does not follow”
Oxymoron
A figure of speech composed of contradictory WORDS OR PHRASES
ex. wise fool, pretty ugly
Paradox
a STATEMENT that seems to contradict itself but that turns out to have a rational meaning.
Parallelism
the technique of arranging words, phrases, clauses, or larger structures by placing them side by side and making them similar in form.
Eg.
Polysyndeton
sentence which uses and or another conjunction (with no commas) to separate the items in a series
Repetition
word or phrase used two or more times in a close proximity
Rhetoric
the art of effective communication, especially persuasive discourse; rhetoric focuses on interrelationship of invention, arrangement, and style in order to rate appropriate discourse
Rhetorical modes
exposition, description, narration, argumentation
Syllogism
a form of reasoning in which two statements are made and a conclusion is drown from them.
Synechdoche
a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to prevent a whole.
eg. Boards = stage, Wheels = Car
* actually apart/ made up of it to represent it
Tone
the characteristic emotion or attitude of an author toward the characters, subject, and audience (think beyond happy, sad, angry, etc)
