Rhetorical Terms Flashcards
connotation
the implied meaning of a word
denotation
the actual meaning of the word
diction
a writer’s choice of words; style
syntax
the grammatical order in which words are placed
tone
attitude the write takes towards his or her subject
explicit
directly stated
implicit
implied
infer
to deduce information based on facts or evidence
parallelism
similarity of structure in a series of related words, phrases, or clauses
periodic sentence
beginning with subordinate clauses, building up suspension
cumulative sentence
ending with subordinate clauses to call attention to them
balanced sentence
where two parallel elements set off against each other; both have the same form
antithesis
opposition or contrast of words or ideas within a balanced sentence
inversion
reversal of normal, grammatical word order, often for emphasis
analogy
a comparison of similar things
qualification
in argument or logic: a restriction in meaning or qualification
logical fallacies
intentional incorrect reasoning in argument; exploit emotional triggers
metaphor
comparison not using like or as; something regarded as representative or symbolic of something else
simile
comparison using like or as
apostrophe
a dramatic address to someone not present
allusion
reference to something outside the text
hyperbole
obvious and intentional exaggeration, for rhetoric
understatement
where the speaker deliberately portrays the situation as less important than it really is
paradox
a contradictory assertion with some truth in it
epithet
a descriptive word, phrase, or title
euphemism
a mild time for an offensive term
conceit
an extended metaphor, especially for the basis of an entire poem
metonym/synecdoche
a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another with which it is associated; the use of part of something to represent the whole
alliteration
repetition of initial sounds
onomatopoeia
the use of a word whose sound imitates the act or thing it names
subjective/objective
opinion, biased, personalized / completely unbiased, based on facts
cliché
an overused statement or idea
satire
corrective ridicule
irony
when the literal meaning is opposite the actual meaning
parody
mocking imitation
archetype
the original pattern or model
antistrophe
the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses
polysyndeton
the repetition of conjunctions
juxtaposition
placing concepts close together for comparison or contrast
antithesis
the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a balanced phrase or clause
deductive
reasoning from general to specific
inductive
reasoning from specific to general
anaphora
repetition of the initial word or phrase in a series of clauses
aphorism
a pithy observation that contains a general truth
epigram
a witty, paradoxical saying; sometimes a concise poem
alliteration
the repetition of the consonant sounds in neighboring words
analysis
separating of material into its constituent elements and determining its essential features
argumentation
the act of using reasons to justify claims
syllogism
form of deductive reasoning where the conclusion is inferred from two other statements
enthymeme
a syllogism with one part of the argument missing
chiasmus
where the words or concepts are repeated in reverse order in the same or modified form
ellipsis
omission of one or more words for conciseness
anadiplosis
where the final word of a sentence or clause becomes the first word of the next
epanalepsis
opening and closing a sentence with the same word or phrase
antimetabole
repeating words in reverse order for surprise and emphasis (like chiasmus)
asyndeton
omission of conjunction before the last item in a series
allegory
a story where characters and things represent something else; have a moral or lesson
simple sentence
subject-verb
compound sentence
2 independent clauses joined by a conjunction
complex sentence
independent clause and dependent clause
compound-complex sentence
2 independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses
declarative
statement
exclamatory
strong feeling
interrogative
question
imperative
command
antecedents
a word to which another word refers to
nostalgia
a longing or wistful affection for the past
