Rhetorical Terms & Devices Flashcards
Abstract Language
Refers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images (ideas and
qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places).
Ad Hominem
In an argument, an attack on the person rather than on the opponent’s ideas. From the Latin for “against the man.”
Allegory
An extended narrative 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 beginnings of words that are close to one another.
Allusion
A reference to a well-known person, place, or thing from literature or history.
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.
Anaphora
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row.
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 bibliographic data
Antithesis
The presentation of two contrasting images.The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause or paragraph.
Aphorism
A short, often witty statement of a principle or truth about life.
Apostrophe
Usually in poetry but sometimes in prose: The device of calling out to an imaginary, absent, or dead person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction
Argumentation
Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or idea by presenting reasoned arguments
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds between different consonants
Asyndeton
Commas used (with no conjunction) to separate a series of words. “X, Y, Z” as opposed to “X, Y, and Z.”
Cacophony
Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony.
Caricature
Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a specific feature of a person’s appearance or a facet of personality
Colloquialism
A word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing, but that is often inappropriate in formal writing.
Coherence
The quality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to a 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
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; it 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 ______ would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang.
Didactic
Writing whose purpose is to instruct or teach. The work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns. This type of 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 4 traditionally classified modes are description, exposition, narration, 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.
Epistrophe
Repetition of a word or phrase at the ends of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
Ethical Appeal/Ethos
When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text. Reputation is sometimes a factor in this type of appeal, but in all cases the aim is to gain the audience’s confidence.
Euphemism
A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable
Euphony
A succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose. The opposite of cacophony
Example
An individual instance taken to be representative of a general pattern
Explication
The art of interpreting of discovering the meaning of a text. It usually involves close reading and special attention to figurative language.
Exposition
The immediate revelation to the audience of the setting and other background information necessary for understanding the plot; also, explanation, one of the four modes of discourse
Extended Metaphor
A sustained comparison, often referred to as a conceit. The extended metaphor is developed throughout a piece of writing.
False Analogy
When two cases are not sufficiently parallel to lead readers to accept a claim of connection between them.
Figurative Language
Language that contains figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors, in order to create associations that are imaginative rather than literal
Figures of Speech
Expressions, such as similes, metaphors, and personifications, that make imaginative, rather than literal, comparisons or associations
Foreshadowing
The use of a hint or clue to suggest a larger event that occurs later in the work.
Freight-Train
Sentence consisting of three or more very short independent clauses joined by conjunctions.
