Rhetorical Terms Flashcards
In an arguments, attacking an opponent rather than their ideas
Ad Hominem
An extended metaphor in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas, events, and settings.
Example: Walle
Allegory
A reference to a well known person, place, or thing in literature, history, etc
Allusion
The religion of a word or phrase at the beginning of each sentence
Anaphora
A short, simple narrative of an incident
Anecdote
The presentation of two contrasting ideas, or images usually by word or phrases
Antithesis
A short, witty remark/statement of a principle of life
Example: easier said than done, the early bird gets the worm
Aphorism
Usually in poetry; the device of calling out to an imaginary dead person, place, or personified item
Apostrophe
Repetition of vowel sounds in between consonants
Assonance
Commas used to separate a series of words with out conjunction
Asyndeton
Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose
Cacophony
Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance
Caricature
The language that describes concepts and ideas rather than concrete images
Example: love and good morals
Abstract
A word or phrase used in everyday conversation and informal writing
Example: y’all and ain’t
Colloquialism
Quality of a piece of writing in which all parts contribute to the central theme, idea
Coherence
