Rhetorical terms

Question 1

abstract

Answer 1

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical existence.
EX: love, anger

Question 2

allegory

Answer 2

literatures that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.
EX: animal farm pigs= Bolsheviks

Question 3

allusion

Answer 3

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

EX: Chocolate cake is my Achilles heel.

Question 4

analogy

Answer 4

A comparison of two different things that are similar in some way
EX: adorable is to cute as scary is to creepy.

Question 5

antithesis

Answer 5

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

EX: Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice

Question 6

aphorism

Answer 6

A brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life.

EX: Actions speak louder than words.

Question 7

apostrophe

Answer 7

a punctuation mark used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers
EX: she’s

Question 8

characterization

Answer 8

the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character
EX: Bill was short and fat and he has a growing bald spot

Question 9

cliché

Answer 9

an overused expression

EX: Think outside the box

Question 10

coinage

Answer 10

the invention of new words

EX: frisbee, band-aid

Question 11

colloquial expression

Answer 11

words and phrases used in everyday speech but avoided in formal writing
EX: y’all, gonna, wanna

Question 12

conceit

Answer 12

a fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphor

EX: A broken heart is a damaged clock

Question 13

concrete

Answer 13

existing in a material or physical form; real or solid; not abstract.
EX: silver spoon

Question 14

denotation / connotation

Answer 14

denotation= literal meaning
connotation= emotional suggestions of a word; not literal
EX: den= color blue con= feeling sad

Question 15

diction

Answer 15

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
EX: “I’m a bit upset,” Vs. “I’m so pissed off.”

Question 16

doublespeak

Answer 16

language that distorts, or reverses the meaning of words

EX: ethnic cleansing instead of genocide

Question 17

emotional appeal

Answer 17

sway audience’s emotions and use the manipulation of recipient’s emotions rather than logic to win an argument.
EX: pic of starving child=donate

Question 18

euphemism

Answer 18

indirect word or expression substituted for harsh words when referring to something unpleasant
EX: passed away, not died

Question 19

hyperbole

Answer 19

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
EX: my feet are killing me

Question 20

idiom

Answer 20

phrase that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase
EX: time flies

Question 21

irony

Answer 21

a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality.
EX: raining outside, say “wow weathers great outside”

Question 22

jargon

Answer 22

special words that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand
EX: AP, GPA, APUSH

Question 23

juxtapose

Answer 23

placing two things side by side so as to highlight their differences.
EX: short and round

Question 23

logical fallacies

Answer 23

flawed, deceptive, or false arguments that can be proven wrong with reasoning.
EX: syrup belongs on pancakes

Question 24

metaphor

Answer 24

a figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using like or as
EX: Sarah is a walking dictionary

Question 25

mood

Answer 25

the atmosphere of the narrative

EX: this book is dark

Question 26

motif

Answer 26

a repeated pattern

EX: Romeo and Juliet is “light and dark.”

Question 27

oxymoron

Answer 27

words that, when placed together, create or contradictions

EX: seriously funny

Question 28

paradox

Answer 28

an idea or theme that contradicts itself (contrary to belief)
EX: less is more

Question 29

satire

Answer 29

the use of humor or exaggeration to criticize people’s stupidity, particularly in the context of contemporary politics.
EX: animal farm

Question 30

spin

Answer 30

form of propaganda that relies on deceptive methods of persuasion.
EX: I want you for the US army- Uncle Sam

Question 31

tone

Answer 31

how an author conveys his/her attitude(s) in a work of literature.
EX: funny, comic, playful