Rhetorical Terms

Question 1

Anaphora

Answer 1

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Question 2

Hypophora

Answer 2

The speaker raises a question, and then immediately provides an answer to that question.

Question 3

Anadiplosis

Answer 3

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of one sentence/clause/line and at the beginning of the next

Question 4

Apophasis

Answer 4

a rhetorical appeal used to bring up specific ideas or events by denying them, or denying that they should be brought up entirely.

Question 5

Epistrophe

Answer 5

the repetition of a word, or group of words, at the end of each phrase or clause.

Question 6

Eponym

Answer 6

a person after whom a discovery, invention, place, etc., is named or thought to be named.

Question 7

Enthymeme

Answer 7

A kind of syllogism (logical deduction) that contains a conclusion, but an implied premise.

Question 8

Epizeuxis

Answer 8

The repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession, usually within the same sentence, for emphasis

Question 9

Asyndeton

Answer 9

The omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence. Ex: “The car crashed, exploded, burned, melted.” “I came. I saw. I conquered.”

Question 10

Expletive

Answer 10

An unnecessary word or phrase used to fill space in a sentence for grammar or rhythm purposes.

Question 11

Synecdoche

Answer 11

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

Question 12

Hyperbaton

Answer 12

Inversion of the general order of words. Ex: “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.”

Question 13

Zeugma

Answer 13

A figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses, or in a way that only semantically makes sense when applied to one of the other two. Ex: “You are free to execute your laws, and your citizens, as you see fit.” - Star Trek

Question 14

Aporia

Answer 14

a speaker expresses doubt or perplexity regarding a question (often feigned), and asks the audience how he ought to proceed. The doubts may appear as rhetorical questions, often in the beginning of the text. Ex: “You see, we believe that ‘We’re all in this together’ is a far better philosophy than ‘You’re on your own.’ So who’s right?” (Bill Clinton, 2012 DNC Speech).

Question 15

Metabasis

Answer 15

a writer examines what they have already written and then anticipate what is to follow. Ex: “I have hitherto made mention of his noble enterprises in France, and now I will rehearse his worthy acts done near to Rome.”
— Peacham

Question 16

Parataxis

Answer 16

phrases and clauses are placed one after another independently, without coordinating or subordinating them through the use of conjunctions. Ex: “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.”

Question 17

Hypotaxis

Answer 17

-The subordination of one clause to another.
a sentence contains subordinate clauses or phrases that merely build on and add to the main clause. Ex: Bill was given first prize after he amazed the audience with his singing

Question 18

Metonymy

Answer 18

Replacing the name of a subject with the name of something of which it is closely associated; this “thing” is not a part of the initial subject, but rather shares close relation. Ex: “Lend me your ears.” (Ears means listening, not actually ears themselves, but it is related to listening)

Question 19

Antithesis

Answer 19

A parallel structure that juxtaposes contrasting ideas. Ex: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

Question 20

Aposiopesis

Answer 20

used in sentences that are deliberately broken off and left unfinished, giving an impression of unwillingness or inability to continue. Ex: I’m so angry, I could– I could–! (aposiopesis does not finish a sentence due to an emotional outburst)

Question 21

Procatalepsis

Answer 21

the practice of a writer or speaker mentioning an objection or counterargument to their own argument and then immediately addressing it. Its primary purpose is to strengthen the speaker’s argument by dismissing counterarguments immediately before the audience can consider it more fully. Ex: “I know what you’re going to say…That if they look at it properly they’ll see that it wasn’t our fault. But will they look at it properly? Of course they won’t.” (The Captives, Hugo Walpole)