Rhetorical Devices - Semester 1 final Flashcards
Concrete
Concrete nouns are nouns that have physical, tangible properties: Fence, Desk, Chair, etc.
Abstract
Abstract nouns are nouns that are conceptual. They are ideas. They have no physical properties to measure: Love, Truth, Beauty, Evil, etc
Rhetoric
The technique of using language effectively and persuasively in speaking or writing
Voice
Unique personality of a text. A writer’s word choices and style will combine to form what is known as Voice. You can often characterize voice as a peek of the writer’s personality coming through the words off the page.
Thesis/claim
A statement in a work that a writer intends to support or prove. A thesis or claim should specify the point being argued, and should provide a warrant which should identify a universal truth of how the world works to justify the claim.
Extended metaphor
A figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. An extended metaphor is one that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph, longer piece, or lines in a poem
Denotation
Strict dictionary definitions are denotation
Connotation
Subtle degrees of meaning - positive vs negative implications
Conflict
A struggle between two opposing forces in text. The result of competing desires or the presence of obstacles that need to be overcome. Conflict is necessary to propel a story forward. The absence of conflict amounts to the absence of story
Propaganda
The spreading of rumors, false or correct information, or an idea in order to influence the opinion of society. Any information that is purely pathos without ethos or logos can be considered propaganda
Aristotleian triangle
A term that emblemizes Aristotle’s idea that all communication is essentially trilateral, with relationships between the speaker, the subject, and the audience. Embodies Ethos, logos, and pathos. Can be called the rhetorical situation
Audience
One of the three elements of the aristotleian triangle along with subject and speaker
When writing or delivering a speech the speaker/writer must consider the audience in order to be effective. Many choices in writing will and should be influenced by the makeup of the audience
Speaker
This is one third of the rhetorical triangle. It is also in literature and poetry, the created voice of the narration. The speaker is closely related with ethos
Analogy
A comparison in which an idea or thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims to explain the idea by comparing it to somehting that is more familiar to the audience/reader. Metaphors and similes are often used in analogies
Point of view
The mode of narration an author uses to let the readers hear and see what takes place in a story, poem, etc
first person - we/I
second person - you
third person - he/she
Anecdote
A short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point. They are often intended to make readers and listeners laugh.
Mood/atmosphere
An element of text that evokes certain feelings or vibes in readers through words and descriptions. NOT synonymous with tone.
Persona
A voice or assumed role of a speaker through which the writer wants his or her words to be presented. Persona is to writer how role is to actor
Allegory
A figure of speech in which abstract ideas or principles are describes in terms of characters, figures, and events
Ambiguity
A word, phrase, or statement that has more than one meaning or interpretation. Two types rhetorical and grammatical
Prose
Type of writing that is closest to everyday speech patterns and languages i.e. normal speech
Ad Hominem
“Against the man” When an argument attacks the opponent rather than his or her argument.
Polemic
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or someting
Allusion
A brief or indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or personal significance. Writer doesn’t explain significance but expects that readers will know it
Archetype
A typical character, action or situation that seems to represent universal patterns of human nature
Paradox
Statement that appears to be self-contractionary but may include a latent truth. It is often used to make the reader think of an idea in an unexpected way
Hyperbole
An exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis
Exposition
A literary device used to introduce background information about events, characters, or setting to the audience
Juxtaposition
A literary technique in which two or more words, ideas, places, characters, or actions are place side by side for the purpose of comparing and contrasting
Synecdoche
A literary device in which a part of something represents the whole
Motif
An object or idea that repeats itself throughout a literary work. Not theme: motif is a recurrent image, idea or symbol that develops or explains a theme while a theme is a central idea or message
Oxymoron
A figure of speech in which two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect. The common oxymoron phrase is a combination of an adjective proceeded by a noun with contrasting meanings
Onomatopoeia
A word that imitates the natural sound of a thing
Trope
Any word used in a figurative sense or a reoccurring theme or device in a work of literature. The first definition of trope can refer to numerous types of figures of speech. The second definition of trope can be slightly derogatory in that a reoccurring theme can become cliche.
Conceit
A figure of speech in which two vastly different objects are likened together with the help of similes or metaphors. Conceit develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is intellectually imaginative.
Invective
The term invective denotes speech or writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution. Involves the use of abusive and negative language. Employed in both poetry and prose to reiterate the significance of the deeply felt emotions of the writer.
Is made of polemic
Sarcasm
The literal meaning is different that what the speaker intends to say through sarcasm. A literary and rhtorical device that is meant to mock with often saterical or ironic remarks with a purpose to amuse and hurt someone
Satire
A technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or society by using humor, exaggeration, irony, or ridicule. Aim of satire is to make improvements in society by exposing its foibles and flaws
Euphemism
The term euphemism refers to polite, indirect expressions which replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggests something unpleasant. Idiomatic expression that loses its literal meanings and refers to something else in order to hide its unpleasantness.
Parody
An imitation of a particular writer, artists or genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect. The humorous effect in parody is achieved by imitating and overstressing noticeable features
Dramatic irony
Characters within a story are unaware of a situation, but the audience is aware.
Situational Irony
Generally when something happens to someone that is contradictory to expectations. Type of irony occurs when, for instance, someone is laughing at the misfortune of another, but then the same thing happens to him.
Verbal irony
Irony in which what is said is the opposite of what one means. Often employed as sarcasm.
Stereotype
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing
Regionalism
A linguistic feature specific to a particular region and not part of the standard language of a country.
Hamartia
A personal error in a protagonist’s personality that brings about his downfall in a tragedy. This defect in a hero’s personality is also known as a tragic flaw
Asyndeton
Stylistic device used in literature and poetry to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between phrases and in the sentence yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the phrase and presents it in a concise form
Polysyndeton
Refers to the process of using conjunctions or connecting words frequently in a sentence, placed very close to one another. Opposed to the usual norm of using them sparsely, only where thye are technically needed. Primarily for adding dramatic effect as they have a strong rhetorical presence
Apostrophe
A rhetorical device in which a writer or a speaker detaches himself from the reality and addresses an imaginary character in his speech
Parallelism
Use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same; similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. Allows writer to maintain consistency within thier work and create a balanced flow of ideas. Can be employed as a tool for persuasion as well because of repetition
Parable
Figure of speech which present a short story typically with a moral lesson at the end. A succinct narrative or a universal truth that uses symbolism, simile, and metaphor to demonstate the moral lesson intended to be taught
Rhetorical question
Asked just for the effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected. May have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks rhetorical questions to lay emphasis to the point. Self-evidence and used for style as an impressive persuasive device
In media res
Practice of beginning an epic or other narrative by plunging into a crucial situation that is part of a related chain of events; the situation is an extension of previous events and will be developed in later action.
Expletive
Grammatical construction that starts with the words like it, here, and there. Usually interrupts the normal speech and lays emphasis on the words. It’s like curses - unnecessaries additions.
Jargon
Litarary term that is defined as a use of specific phrases and words by writers in a particular situation, profession or trade . Used to convey hidden meaning accepted and understood in that field.
Epigraph
Literary device in the form of a poem, quotation or sentence usually placed at the beginning of a document or simple piece having a few sentences but which belongs to another writer.
Epitaph
Inscription written on a grave. Brief composition, having figurative sense in a verse or a prose form, written to pay tribute to a deceased person, or to remember a pst event.
Inversion
Literary technique in which the normal order of words is reversed in order to achieve a particular effect of emphasis or meter
Explication
Process of making something clearer. When you carefully explain your performance art piece to your mystified parents, you can describe what you’re doing as an explication.
Oversimplification
Explanation that excludes important information for the sake of brevity, or of making the explanation or presentation easy to understand. To simplify to such an extent as to bring about distortion, misunderstanding or error
Generalization
A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases
Understatement
An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than in really is
Zeugma
Figure of speech in which a word, usually a verb or an adjective, applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas
Isocolon
Rhetorical device that involves a succession of sentences, phrases and clauses of grammatically equal length. A sentence has a parallel structure that is made up of words, clauses, or phrases of equal length, sound, meter, and rhythm
Anadiplosis
Repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previos clause
Chiasmus
Rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of the structures in order to produce an artistic effect - doesn’t have to reverse the exact order of the words, just general meaning
Antimetabole
Involves repeating a phrase in exact reverse order.
Metonymy
Figure of speech that replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it closely associated
Has to be a part of the object
Straw man
A common form of argument and is an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent’s argument, while actually refuting an argument that was not advanced by that opponent.
Antithesis
Two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect
Eulogy
Literary device that is a laudatory expression in a speech or a written tribute to a person deceased recently
Syllogism
Rhetorical device that starts an argument with a reference to something general and from this it draws conclusion about something more specific
Litotes
Figure of speech which employs an understatement by using double negatives or in other words positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite expressions
Inference
Literary device used commonly in literature and in daily life where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true. Rational but non-logical which means that through observation of facts presented in a particular patter one ulitmately sees different or new interpratations and perspectives
Begging the question
Logical fallacy in which the writer or speaker assumes the statement under examination to be true. In other words, begging the question involves using a premise to support itself
Anaphora
The deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect
Epistrophe
Indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the end of the clauses or sentences.
Induction
Conclusions reached through reasoning. Inductive statement is derived using facts and instances which lead to the formation of a general opinion. Through all the facts upon which the conclusion is based are ture, there is still a chance of the conclusion reached being false. This type of reasongin goes from specific facts to gereral statement - probably
Deduction
Conclusion research through reasoning. Deductive conclusion is derived using general premises or statement which lead to a logically certain result. Goes from generalities to a factual statement - certain
Apotheosis
Highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax
Anagram
Direct word switch or word play, the result of rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to produce a new word or phrase, using all the original letters exactly once for examples the word anagram can be rearranged into nag-ram
Double entendre
A figure of speech or a particular way of wording that is deised to be understood in either of two ways, having a doble meaning.
Enumeratio
Rhetorical term for the listing of details.
Epanalepsis
Repetition of the initial part of a clause or sentence at the end of the same clause or sentence. Special attention of emphasis is placed on the phrase by its repetition in both places
Metalepsis
Figure of speech in which one thing refers to another thing that is only slightly related to it. There are two ways to make this association. One is through shoing casual relationship to seemingly unrelated things. THe other is thorugh indirect intermediate replaceent of terms
