Rhetorical Terms Pt. 4

Question 1

Paradox

Answer 1

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. It is used to point out an apparent contradiction.

Question 2

Parallelism

Answer 2

Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning “beside one another.” It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity.

This can involve, but is not limited to repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. A famous example of parallelism begins Charles Dickens’s novel A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity . . .”

The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader’s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.

Question 3

Parenthesis

Answer 3

Parentheses is the act of inserting an aside or additional information to the main flow of writing. Parentheses are the punctuation often used to do so; however, em dashes and commas are also common punctuation in parenthesis

Question 4

Parody

Answer 4

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

As comedy, parody distorts or exaggerated distinctive features of the original. As ridicule, it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words, phrases, or characteristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the original.

Well-written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don’t require knowledge of the original.

Question 5

Paronomasia

Answer 5

the use of words alike in sound but different in meaning.