Rhetorical Terms

Question 1

Polysyndeton

Answer 1

The use or repetition of conjunctions in close succession. (Repeating coordinating conjunctions close together in a sentence)

Question 2

Parallelism

Answer 2

To be parallel to one another or be connected in some way.

Question 3

Anecdote

Answer 3

A short (often funny) story about someone or something. (ex: recalling and telling my parents about what I did at school.)

Question 4

Asyndeton

Answer 4

Opposite of polysyndeton. Lack of coordinating conjunctions in a sentence.

Question 5

Antithesis

Answer 5

Two opposing words creating a parallel in one sentence. (ex: To be or not to be.)

Question 6

Euphemism

Answer 6

Using a synonym in a sentence in place of an unpleasant or embarrassing word.

Question 7

Paradox

Answer 7

A statement that goes against common sense but can still be true.

Question 8

Connotation

Answer 8

A word that has a different meaning than the literal definition.

Question 9

Juxtaposition

Answer 9

Two things being placed together to create a contrasting effect.

Question 10

Allusion

Answer 10

An implied reference to an event, person, thing, or other text.

Question 11

Epistrophe

Answer 11

Repetition of words or phrases, at the end of a sentence, to create a poetic or rhetoric effect.

Question 12

Oxymoron

Answer 12

An idea expressed through opposing or incompatible words. (Two opposing words in a sentence right next to each other.)

Question 13

Syntax

Answer 13

The way to put words into sentences, phrases, or clauses.

Question 14

Irony

Answer 14

Expression of meaning by using language or tone that signifies the opposite.

Question 15

Synecdoche

Answer 15

Substituting a feature in a sentence with another word that means the same thing. (ex: instead of saying “I have four family members to feed at home” you can say “I have four mouths to feed at home”)

Question 16

Metonymy

Answer 16

Figure of speech, using words that are closely related to the word replaced. (ex: “We will swear loyalty to the crown.” Not literally swearing loyalty to a physical crown, but swearing loyalty to a king or queen.)

Question 17

Litotes

Answer 17

Using a negative statement to emphasize a positive meaning. (ex: “This is no ordinary lamp.” from Aladdin. He isn’t saying that the lamp is boring/bad, he is emphasizing the importance of the lamp.)

Question 18

Aphorism

Answer 18

An observation that contains a general truth. (ex: actions speak louder than words.)

Question 19

Colloquialism

Answer 19

Everyday language used by people of a certain region.

Question 20

Rhetorical Question

Answer 20

A question asked in order to make a statement not expecting an answer to the question.

Question 21

Anaphora

Answer 21

Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Question 22

Epistrophe

Answer 22

Repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses.

Question 23

Hyperbole

Answer 23

Figure of speech, using exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

Question 24

Hypophora

Answer 24

Figure of speech, the speaker asks a question, and also answers it.

Question 25

Chiasmus

Answer 25

Figure of speech, the grammar of one phrase is inverted in the following phrase; such that two key concepts from the original phrase reappear in the second phrase in inverted order.

Question 26

Atmosphere

Answer 26

The tone or mood of a setting, situation, or work of art.

The mood or tone conveyed through text.