Rhetorical Terms Flashcards
Memorize Rhetorical Terms and Understand Examples
Tropes
One of two kinds of speech; MEANING is altered from the usual or expected
Schemes
One of two kinds of speech; WORD ORDER is altered from the usual or expected. Includes balance, word order, addition, omission, repetition, and sound
Pun
Play on words
Tropes
Metaphor
Comparison of unlike things without the use of like or as
Tropes
Simile
Comparison of unlike things using like or as
Tropes
Personification
Gives something nonhuman human characteristics
Tropes
Pathetic Fallacy
Gives human qualities to a force of nature
Tropes
Animism
Gives animal qualities (not uniquely human) to an inanimate object
(Tropes)
Irony
the use of words to convey a meaning other than its literal meaning
(Tropes)
Hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis
Tropes
Litotes
Intensifies an idea by understatement
Tropes
Synecdoche
A part of something is used to stand for the whole day
Tropes
Metonymy
Name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it
(Tropes)
Oxymoron
Combination of contradictory terms
Tropes
Paradox
A statement that appears to be contradictory but, in fact, has some truth
(Tropes)
Onomatopoeia
Use of words to imitate sounds
Tropes
Rhetorical Question
A question that is not answered by the writer
Tropes
Apostrophe
When a speaker directly addresses an absent person or a personified quality
(Tropes)
Symbol
An object or action that stands for something else
Tropes
Parallelism
Similiar or related ideas in similar grammatical structures
Schemes - Balance
Chiasmus
First clause or phrase is reversed in the second; sometimes repeats same words
(Schemes - Balance)
Climax
Arranging ideas in order of importance from the least to the most important
(Schemes - Balance)
Antithesis
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas
Schemes - Balance
Juxtaposition
Normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to another, often creating an effect of surprise and wit
(Schemes - Balance)
Anastrophe
Word order is reversed or rearranged
Schemes - Word Order
Antimetabole
the arrangement of ideas in the second clause is a reversal of the first
(Schemes - Word Order)
Apposition
The placing next to a noun another noun or phrase that explains it
(Schemes - Addition)
Parenthesis
The insertion of words, phrases, or sentences that is not syntactically related to the rest of the sentence.
(Schemes - Addition)
Zeugma
Use of one word to govern of modify two or more words although its use is grammatically or logically correct with only one
(Schemes - Ommission)
Syllepsis
A construction in which one word seems to be in the same relation to two or more other words but in fact is not
(Schemes - Ommission)
Asyndeton
Conjections are omitted
Schemes - Ommission
Ellipsis
The deliberate omission of a word or words that are readily implied by the context
(Schemes - Ommission)
Anadiplosis
Rhetorical repetition of the word or phrase that ends one phrase at the beginning of the next phrase
(Schemes - Repetition)
Polysyndeton
The repetition of conjunctions
Schemes - Repetition
Anaphora
Repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentence
(Schemes - Repetition)
Epistrophe
Repetition of the same word or group of word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses
(Schemes - Repetition)
Alliteration
Repetition of same constantant sound at the beginning of successive words
(Schemes - Sound)
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds with words
Schemes - Sound
Consonance
Words at the ends of verses in which the final consonants in the stressed syllables agree but the words precede then differ
(Schemes - Sound)
Euphony
Creates a pleasing effect by combining words or phonetic elements in spoken words to produce harmonious sounds
(Schemes - Sound)
Cacophony
Creates a harsh effect by combining words that emphasize guttural, coarse sounds
(Schemes - Sound)
Parasynesthesia
The concurrent appeal to or response of two or more senses
Allusion
Reference in literature to something outside of the work
Epigram
A brief, pointed saying that has the nature of a proverb
Euphemism
Using a mild or gentle phrase instead of a blunt, embarrassing, or painful one
Epithet
Term used to characterize a person or thing
Parody
Humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature
Satire
A matter of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor in an effort to improve mankind and human institutions
Sarcasm
Personal, jeering ridicule that is intended to hurt individuals
