Rhetorical Terms

Question 0

Ad hominem

Answer 0

“To the man” or “against the man”

Fallacy in which a writer personally attacks his or her opponents instead of their arguments.

Question 1

Abstract language

Answer 1

Language describing ideas and qualities rather than the observable or specific things, people, or places. Opposite of concrete language.

Question 2

Allegory

Answer 2

A story, fictional or nonfictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth. The characters and other elements may be symbolic of the ideas referred to.

Question 3

Alliteration

Answer 3

The repetition of initial identical consonant sounds. Or, vowel sounds in successive words or syllables that repeat.

Question 4

Allusion

Answer 4

An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar. Allusion is often used with humorous intent, to establish a connection between writer and reader, or to make a subtle point.

Question 5

Ambiguity

Answer 5

An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way. Also, the manner if expression if such an event may be ambiguous. Artful language may be ambiguous. Unintentional ambiguity is usually vagueness.

Question 6

Analogy.

Answer 6

A comparison to a directly parallel case. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that a claim reasonable for one case is reasonable for the analogous case.

Question 7

Anaphora

Answer 7

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and his make the writer’s point more coherent

Question 8

Anecdote

Answer 8

A brief recounting if a relevant episode. Anecdotes are oft inserted into fictional or nonfictional texts as a way of developing points or interjecting humor.

Question 9

Annotation

Answer 9

Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical data.

Question 10

Antithesis

Answer 10

A balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses.

Question 11

Assonance

Answer 11

Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity.

Question 12

Asyndeton

Answer 12

Commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. The parts are emphasized equally when the conjunction is omitted; in addition, the use of commas with no intervention conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. (X, Y, Z. Instead of X, Y, and Z.)

Question 13

Authority

Answer 13

Arguments that draw on recognized experts or persons with highly relevant experience are said to rest on authoritative backing or authority. Traders are expected to accept claims if they are in agreement with an authority’s view.

Question 14

Backing

Answer 14

Support or evidence for the claim in an argument.

Question 15

Balance

Answer 15

Construction in which both halves of the sentence are about the same length and importance.

Question 16

Begging the question

Answer 16

Often called circular reasoning

Occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim.

Question 17

Causal relationship

Answer 17

A writer asserts that one thing results from another. To show how one thing produces or brings about another is often relevant in establishing a logical argument.

Question 18

Chiasmus

Answer 18

Arrangement of repeated thoughts in g pattern of X Y Y X. Often short and summarizes a main idea.
Ex: never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.

Question 19

Common knowledge

Answer 19

Shared beliefs or assumptions

A writer may argue that if something is widely believed, then readers should accept it.

Question 20

Concrete language

Answer 20

Language that describes specific l, observable things, people or places, rather than ideas or qualities.

Question 21

Connotation

Answer 21

Rather than the dictionary definition, the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning or detonation.

Question 22

Consonance

Answer 22

Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.

Question 23

Conventional

Answer 23

Following certain conventions, or traditional techniques of writing. An over-reliance on conventions may result in lack of originality. The five paragraph theme is considered conventional.

Question 24

Cumulative

Answer 24

Sentence which begins with the main idea and then expands on that idea with a series of details or other particulars.

Question 25

Deconstruction

Answer 25

A critical approach that debunks single definitions of meaning based on the instability of language. The deconstruction re-examines literary conventions in light of belief that deconstruction "is not a dismantling of the structure of a text, but a demonstration that it has already dismantled itself."

Question 26

Diction

Answer 26

Word choice, particularly as an element of style

Question 27

Didactic

Answer 27

A term used to describe fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.

Question 28

Dramatic irony

Answer 28

When the reader is aware of an inconsistency between a fictional or nonfictional character's perception of a situation and the truth of that situation

Question 29

Either-or reasoning

Answer 29

Fallacy in which the writer reduces an argument or issue to two polar opposites and ignores any other alternatives.

Question 30

Elliptical

Answer 30

Sentence structure which leaves out something in the second half. Usually, there is a subject-verb-object combination in the first half of the sentence, and the second half if the sentence will repeat the structure but omit the verb and use a comma to indicate the ellipted material.

Question 31

Emotional appeal

Answer 31

When a writer appeals to readers emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument.

Question 32

Epigraph

Answer 32

A quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of theme.

Question 33

Equivocation

Answer 33

When a writer uses the same term in two different senses in an argument.

Question 34

Ethical appeal

Answer 34

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text. Reputation is sometimes a factor in ethical appeals, but in all cases the aim is to gain the audience's confidence.

Question 35

Example

Answer 35

An individual instance taken to be representative of a general pattern. Arguing by example is considered reliable if examples are demonstrably true or factual as well as relevant.

Question 36

Explication

Answer 36

The act of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text. Explication usually involves close reading and special attention to figurative language.

Question 37

Exposition

Answer 37

Background information provided by a writer to enhance a reader's understanding of the context of a fictional or nonfictional story.

Question 38

False analogy

Answer 38

Fallacy when two cases are not sufficiently parallel to lead readers to accept a claim of connection between them.

Question 39

Fiction

Answer 39

A product of a writers imagination, usually made up of characters, plot, setting, point of view and theme.

Question 40

Figurative language

Answer 40

A word or words that are inaccurate literally, but describe by calling to mind sensations or responses that the thing described evokes.

Question 41

Freight-train

Answer 41

Sentence consisting of 3 or more very short independent clauses joined by conjunctions

Question 42

Generalization

Answer 42

When a writer bases a claim upon an isolated example or asserts that a claim is certain rather than probable. Sweeping generalizations occur when a writer asserts that a claim applies to all instances instead of some

Question 43

Hyperbole

Answer 43

Conscious exaggeration used to heighten effect. Not intended literally and often humorous

Question 44

Image

Answer 44

A word or words, either figurative or literal, used to describe a sensory experience or an object perceived by the senses. An image is ways a concrete representation.

Question 45

Imagery

Answer 45

The use if images, especially in a pattern of related images, often figurative, to created a strong, unified sensory impression.

Question 46

Inversion

Answer 46

Variation if the normal word order (subject first, then verb, then complement) which puts a modifier or the verb as first in the sentence. Ex: how wonderful the weather is today.

Question 47

Irony

Answer 47

When a reader is aware of a reality that differs from a characters perception of reality (dramatic irony). The literal meaning of a writers words may be verbal irony.

Question 48

Logic

Answer 48

An implied comparison resulting when one thing is directly called another. To be logically acceptable, support must be appropriate to the aim, believable and consistent.

Question 49

Metaphor

Answer 49

A comparison of two things, often unrelated. A figurative verbal equation results where both "parts" illuminate one another.

Question 50

Mood

Answer 50

An atmosphere created by a writers word choice (diction) and the details selected. Syntax is also a determiner of mood because sentence strength, length, and complexity affect pacing.

Question 51

Moral

Answer 51

The lesson drawn from a fictional or nonfictional story. A heavily didactic story.

Question 52

Negative-positive

Answer 52

Sentence that begins by stating what is not true, then ending by stating what is true.

Question 53

Non-sequitur

Answer 53

Latin for "it does not follow" | When one statement isn't logically connected to another.

Question 54

Objectivity

Answer 54

A writers attempt to remove himself or herself from any subjective, personal involvement in a story. Hard news journalism is frequently prizes for it's objectivity, although even fictional stories can be told without a writer rendering personal judgement.

Question 55

Onomatopoeia

Answer 55

The use of a word whose pronunciation suggests it's meaning. | Buzz, hiss, slam, pop

Question 56

Oversimplification

Answer 56

When a writer obscures or denies the complexity of the issues in an argument

Question 57

Oxymoron

Answer 57

A rhetorical antithesis. Juxtaposing two contradictory terms, like "wise fool" or "eloquent silence"

Question 58

Paradox

Answer 58

A seemingly contradictory statement which is actually true. Used for emphasis or simply to attract attention.

Question 59

Parallelism

Answer 59

Sentence construction which places in close proximity two or more equal grammatical constructions. Could be listing two or three modifiers in a row to describe the same noun or verb; could be two or more of the same types of phrases that modify that same noun or verb; could be two or more subordinate clauses that modify the same noun or verb; may be a complex blend of single-word, phrase, and clause parallelism all in the same sentence.

Question 60

Parody

Answer 60

An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes. The writer of a parody uses the quirks of style of the indicated piece in extreme or ridiculous ways

Question 61

Pathos

Answer 61

Qualities of a fictional or nonfictional work that evoke sorrow or pity. Over-emotionalism can be the result of an excess of pathos.

Question 62

Periodic

Answer 62

Sentence that places the main idea or central complete thought at the end of the sentence, after all introductory elements

Question 63

Persona

Answer 63

A writer often adopts a fictional voice (or mask) to tell a story. Persona or voice is usually determined by a combination of subject matter and audience

Question 64

Personification

Answer 64

Figurative language in which inanimate objects, animals, ideas, or abstractions are endowed with human traits or human form.

Question 65

Point of view

Answer 65

The perspective from which a fictional or nonfictional story is told. First-person, third-person, or omniscient points of views are commonly used.

Question 66

Polysyndeton

Answer 66

Sentence which uses and or another conjunction (with no commas) to separate the items in a series. X and Y and Z Makes the sentence slower and the items more emphatic than in asyndeton.

Question 67

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Answer 67

"After this, therefore because of this" Fallacy in which a writer implies that because one thing follows another, the first caused the second. But sequence is not cause.

Question 68

Red herring

Answer 68

Fallacy in which a writer raises an irrelevant issue to draw attention away from the real issue

Question 69

Refutation

Answer 69

When a writer musters relevant opposing arguments

Question 70

Repetition

Answer 70

Word or phrase used two more times in close proximity

Question 71

Rhetoric

Answer 71

The art of effective communication, especially persuasive discourse. Focuses on the interrelationship of invention, arrangement, and style in order to create felicitous and appropriate discourse

Question 72

Satire

Answer 72

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of human behavior by portraying it in an extreme way. Doesn't simply abuse (as in invective) or get personal (as in sarcasm). Targets groups or large concepts rather than individuals

Question 73

Sarcasm

Answer 73

A type of verbal irony

Question 74

Simile

Answer 74

A figurative comparison of two things, often dissimilar, using the connecting words "like" or "as"

Question 75

Straw man

Answer 75

Fallacy in which a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak. Setting up a straw man diverts attention from the real issues.

Question 76

Style

Answer 76

The choices in diction, tone and syntax that a writer makes. In combination they create a works manner of expression. Style is thought to be conscious and unconscious and may be altered to suit specific occasions. Often habitual and evolves over time.

Question 77

Symbol

Answer 77

A thing, event, or person that represents or stands for some idea or event. Symbols also simultaneously retain their own literal meanings.

Question 78

Syntactic fluency

Answer 78

Ability to create a variety of sentence structures, appropriately complex and/or simple and varied in length.

Question 79

Syntactic permutation

Answer 79

Sentence structures that are extraordinarily complex and involved. Often difficult for a reader to follow

Question 80

Theme

Answer 80

The central idea of a work of fiction or nonfiction, revealed and developed in the course of a story or explored through argument

Question 81

Tone

Answer 81

A writers attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization on the sentence and global levels

Question 82

Tricolon

Answer 82

Sentence consisting of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses

Question 83

Unity

Answer 83

A work of fiction or nonfiction is said to be unified if all the parts are related to one central idea or organizing principle. Thus, unity is dependent upon coherence.

Question 84

Verbal irony

Answer 84

When the reader is aware of a discrepancy between the real meaning of a situation and the literal meaning of the writers words