Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Abstract
(noun) an abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship or research
Ad Hominem
(logical fallacy) directed to or appealing to feelings or prejudices instead of to intellect or reason *attacks speaker, not what they’re saying
Ambiguity
(noun) multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage
Allegory
(noun) device of using character(s) and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction (addition to literal meaning)
Alliteration
(noun) repetition of sounds, especially initial consonants in two or more neighboring words; reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound
Anecdote
(noun) very short tale told by a character in a literary novel
Antecedent
(pronoun) word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Anaphora
(noun) one of the devices of repetition, in which the same expression is repeated at the beginning or two or more lines, clauses, or sentences
Asyndeton
(noun) consists of omitting conjunctions between word, phrases, or clauses
Polysyndeton
(noun) stylistic device in which several conjunctions are used in order to achieve an artistic effect
Antithesis
(noun) figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences
Testimony
(noun) formal written or spoken statement, especially given in a court of law; evidence or proof provided by the existence of appearance of something
Deductive Reasoning
(noun) process of reasoning using strong premises/claims to reach a logical conclusion; if the premises are valid, then the reasoning will be valid
Inductive Reasoning
(noun) reasoning that takes specific info and makes a broader generalization that is considered probable, allowing for the fact that the conclusion may not be accurate
Euphemism
(noun) more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept
Extended Metaphor
(noun) metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work
Homily
(noun) literally “sermon” but informally or lecture involving moral/spiritual advice
Atmosphere
(noun) emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author’s choice of objects that are described
Diacope
(noun) repetition of a word/phrase after an intervening word/phrase
Hypophora, Antipophora
(noun) where author asks a question and the answers it
Litotes
(noun) figure of speech which employs an understatement by using double negatives
Paradox
(noun) statement that appears to e self-contradicting but contains some truth
Parallelism
(noun) grammatical/rhetorical framing of words/phrases/sentences/paragraphs to give some structural similarity
Prose
(noun) non/fiction in which the printer determines the length of the line * generally in poetry
Epistrophe
(noun) device of repetition in which the same expression is repeated at the end of two or more lines * opposite of anaphora
Semantics
(noun) branch of linguistics that studies words (meanings, development, connotations, relation to one another)
Metaphor
(noun) figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without the use of comparison words
Implied Metaphor
(noun) does not state explicitly that the two terms of the comparison
Dead Metaphor
(noun) overused metaphor that is no longer vivid
Local Color
(noun) term applied to fiction or poetry which tends to place special emphasis on a particular setting, including its customs, clothing, dialect, and landscape
