Rhetorical Terms Flashcards
Abstract
refers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images ( ideas and qualities rather
than observable or specific things, people, or places). The observable or “physical” is usually described in concrete language.
Ad Hominem
In an argument, this is an attack on the person rather than on the opponent’s ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning “against the man.”
Allegory
an extended narrative in prose or verse in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract qualities and in which the writer intends a second meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story; the underlying meaning may be moral, religious, political, social, or satiric.
Alliteration
repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another: Mickey Mouse; Donald Duck
Allusion
a reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature, history, etc. Example: Eden
Analogy
Comparison of two similar but different things, usually to clarify an action or a relationship, such as comparing the work of a heart to that of a pump. An analogy is a comparison to a directly
parallel case.
Anaphora
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 helps make the writer’s point more coherent. (Example:
“There was the delight I caught in seeing long straight rows. There was the faint, cool kiss of sensuality. There was the vague sense of the infinite….”)
Anecdote
a short, simple narrative of an incident; often used for humorous effect or to make a point
Annotation
Explanatory notes added to a text to explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical data.
Antithesis
the presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs. “To be or not to be…” “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can
do for your country….”
Aphorism
a short, often witty statement of a principle or a truth about life: “Early bird gets the worm.”
Apostrophe
usually in poetry but sometimes in prose; the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction
Argumentation
writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by presenting reasoned arguments; persuasive writing is a form of argumentation
Assonance
repetition of vowel sounds between different consonants, such as in neigh/fade
Asyndeton
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 intervening conjunction speeds up the flow of the sentence. Asyndeton takes the form of X, Y, Z as opposed to X, Y, and Z.
Cacophony
harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.
Caricature
descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a faced of personality.
Colloquialism
a word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing (y’all, ain’t)
Coherence
quality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea, theme, or organizing principle
Concrete Language
Language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities.
Connotation
implied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the reader’s mind.
Consonance
repetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; it can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong
Conundrum
a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun; it may also be a paradox or difficult problem
Deduction
the process of moving from a general rule to a specific example
Denotation
literal meaning of a word as defined
Description
the picturing in words of something or someone through detailed observation of color, motion, sound, taste, smell, and touch; one of the four modes of discourse
Diction
word choice, an element of style; Diction creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning. Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang.
Didactic
writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A didactic work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns. Didactic writing may be fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific
lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Discourse
spoken or written language, including literary works; the four traditionally classified modes of discourse are description, exposition, narration, and persuasion.
Dissonance
harsh or grating sounds that do not go together
Dramatic Irony
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.
Emotional Appeal
When a writer appeals to readers’ emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument.
Epigraph
the use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two epigraphs. One of them is “You are all a lost generation” by Gertrude Stein.
