Rhetorical Terms

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

Refers to language that describes concepts (love, peace, inequality etc.) rather than concrete images

Question 2

Allusion

Answer 2

A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.

Allusions can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. Ex: He was destined to fail; he always flew too close to the sun. (An allusion to the Greek myth of Icarus.)

Question 3

Analogy

Answer 3

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar. Analogies can also make writing more vivid, imaginative, or intellectually engaging. Ex: Getting politicians to agree is like herding cats. (In other words…it’s very difficult!)

Question 4

Anaphora

Answer 4

Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginnings of successive clauses.

Always used deliberately, this pattern of repetition helps to establish a marked rhythm and often produces strong emotional effects by emphasizing ideas. Ex: We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans… (Winston Churchill)

Question 5

Anecdote

Answer 5

A story or brief episode told by the writer or character in order to illustrate a point

Question 6

Antithesis

Answer 6

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, most often in parallel structure.

The contrast may be in words or in ideas or both. When used well, antithesis can be very effective, even witty. Ex: That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. (Neil Armstrong)

Question 7

Antecedant

Answer 7

the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.

Question 8

Claim

Answer 8

The central argumentative idea of a given text.

A claim must be arguable and defensible with specific, concrete evidence, and cannot merely be a statement of fact.

Question 9

Clause

Answer 9

A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.

An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

Question 10

Connotation

Answer 10

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning.

Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. Ex: the connotation of the word “knife” might be fear, violence, anger, foreboding, etc.

Question 11

Denotation

Answer 11

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color.

Ex: the denotation of a knife would be a tool used to cut.

Question 12

Diction

Answer 12

Refers to a writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.

Be able to describe an author’s diction (ex: formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways diction can complement an author’s purpose – never just say “the writer uses diction” (that’s like saying the writer uses words!). Diction, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author’s style.

Question 13

Exposition

Answer 13

background information presented in a literary work

Question 14

Extended metaphor

Answer 14

a sustained comparison, often referred to as a conceit.

An extended metaphor is developed throughout a piece of writing.

Question 15

Figurative Language

Answer 15

The generic term for any artful deviation from the ordinary mode of speaking or writing.

(Ex: metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, and many others). The general thinking is that we are more likely to be persuaded by rhetoric that is interesting, even artful, rather than mundane.

Question 16

Imagery

Answer 16

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.

On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses: visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. Ex: It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions… (1984)

Question 17

Irony

Answer 17

The expression of one’s meaning using language that normally signifies the opposite, generally to humorous or emphatic effect.

An ironic situation is one which is contrary to what is expected. (Ex: In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet lies in a tomb and Romeo expects her to be dead, though she is in fact asleep and merely seems to be dead)

Question 18

Juxtaposition

Answer 18

When two or more ideas, places, characters and their actions are placed side by side in a text for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts.

Ex: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness… (A Tale of Two Cities)

Question 19

Line of Reasoning

Answer 19

The logical sequence of ideas and claims/evidence through which an argumentative position is developed and defended.

Question 20

Metaphor

Answer 20

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity.

Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful. Ex: With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. (Martin Luther King)

Question 21

Logical Fallacy

Answer 21

a mistake in reasoning.

Logical fallacies often sound, on the surface, like convincing arguments, but on closer examination do not make logical sense.

Question 22

Motif

Answer 22

The repetition or variations of an image or idea in a word used to develop theme or characters

Question 23

Paradox

Answer 23

An apparently contradictory statement or idea that nevertheless contains a measure of truth. A situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

Ex: Whoever loses his life, shall find it. (Matthew, 16:25)

Question 24

Parallel Structure / Parallelism

Answer 24

Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.

(This basic principle demands that equivalent things be set forth in coordinate grammatical structures: nouns with nouns, prepositional phrases with prepositional phrases, adverb clauses with adverb clauses, etc.) Ex: So Janie waited a bloom time, and a green time and an orange time. But when the pollen again gilded the sun and sifted down on the world she began to stand around the gate and expect things. (Their Eyes Were Watching God)

Question 25

Reasoning

Answer 25

The act or quality of thinking about or developing something in a logical manner.

“Logical” here means proceeding from a fundamental organizing principle, using deductive or inductive reasoning to reach a stable conclusion.

Question 26

Repetition

Answer 26

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of language, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern.

Repetition typically has an amplifying effect, where the chosen repeated element is accumulated or strengthened through duplication and therefore achieves a heightened effect.

Question 27

Rhetoric

Answer 27

The art of speaking or writing effectively; speech or writing intended to be persuasive and influential.

Rhetorical strategies and devices are the tools that enable a writer to present ideas to an audience effectively.

Question 28

Rhetorical Questions

Answer 28

Asking a question, not for the purpose of eliciting an answer, but for the purpose of asserting or denying something indirectly.

Ex: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate. (Shakespeare, Sonnet 18)

Question 29

Syntax

Answer 29

The way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

Think of syntax as the way a writer organizes groups of words or clauses – sentence structure.

Question 30

Tone

Answer 30

Describes the author’s attitude toward his/her material, the audience, or both.

Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author’s tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc. (When writing about tone, make sure to describe the writer’s tone – don’t just say, “the writer uses tone.”)

Question 31

Transition

Answer 31

A word or phrase that links different ideas.

Transitions effectively signal a shift from one idea to another. Ex: furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in addition, likewise, similarly, on the contrary, etc. More sophisticated writers use more subtle means of transition.