Rhetorical Terms S1

Question 1

Asyndeton

Answer 1

omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, clauses (using commas or other punctuation marks to separate things and or emphasize that they are all equal)

Question 2

Polysyndeton

Answer 2

the use of a number of conjunctions in close succession (using the same word to separate things)

Question 3

Allusion

Answer 3

a brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place or event—real or fictional (comparing one thing to another without directly stating what the other thing is, but it is implied)

Question 4

Anaphora

Answer 4

repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses (starting a clause with the same word)

Question 5

Antithesis

Answer 5

juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases (putting things next together that are equal, but contrast each other)

Question 6

Archetype

Answer 6

the original model or pattern from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a prototype (a model for other writings)

Question 7

Apostrophe

Answer 7

a rhetorical term for breaking off discourse to address some absent person or thing (breaking off of what you are saying to address who/what you are talking about)

Question 8

Chiasmus

Answer 8

a verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with the parts reversed (a phrase that is used twice in a sentence, with the same words, but the words are switched around to have two different, but equal meanings)

Question 9

Deduction

Answer 9

a method of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises (reasoning off of stereotypes and using what you know to come up with a conclusion ex. All dogs bark when someone comes to the door. Duke is a dog, therefore, he always barks when someone is at the door)

Question 10

Induction

Answer 10

method of reasoning by which a rhetor collects a number of instances and forms a generalization that is meant to apply to all instance (using evidence from a few different places to prove your points ex. My dog barks and your dog barks, therefore, all dogs bark)

Question 11

Hyperbole

Answer 11

an exaggeration used for emphasis or effect (exaggerating to the extreme)

Question 12

Colloquial

Answer 12

Characteristic of writing that seeks the effect of informal spoken language as distinct from formal or literary English. (informal, casual language, friendly)

Question 13

Connotation

Answer 13

The emotional implications and associations that a word may carry (the emotional effects of the word ex. downtrodden gives the connotation of sad and depressing setting)

Question 14

Concession

Answer 14

An argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent’s point (when you point out that your opponent is right in one point but.. ex Yes, my opponent does point this out, but, what I am showing you is that…)

Question 15

Coordination

Answer 15

The grammatical connection of two or more ideas to give them equal emphasis and importance (ex separating things with semicolons to show that all clauses are equally important)

Question 16

Appeal to Authority

Answer 16

A fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution (ex. Haley Scimone used Obama and other famous people to try and persuade us because we respect famous people and tend to be swayed by their actions)

Question 17

Appeal to Ignorance

Answer 17

A fallacy that uses an opponent’s inability to disprove a conclusion as proof of the conclusion’s correctness (ex. well he didn’t say that my conclusion was wrong, therefore, I am right)

Question 18

Circular Argument

Answer 18

An argument that commits the logical fallacy of assuming what it is attempting to prove.

Question 19

Claim

Answer 19

An arguable statement, which may be a claim of fact, value, or policy (ex persuasive speeches)

Question 20

Confirmation

Answer 20

The main part of a text in which logical arguments in support of a position are elaborated. (the main part of the text where most of the arguments supporting your point are made)

Question 21

Exegesis

Answer 21

Explanation; especially, a critical explanation of a text or portion of Scripture. (an explanation of a reading)

Question 22

Exposition

Answer 22

A statement or type of composition intended to give information about (or an explanation of) an issue, subject, method, or idea (.ike an exposition of a book, you get to know information about it to set you up for the rest of the plot)

Question 23

Fallacy

Answer 23

An error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid (something said in the argument which no long makes it valid)

Question 24

False Dilemma

Answer 24

A fallacy of oversimplification that offers a limited number of options (usually two) when in fact more options are available (oversimplifying the options you actually have ex. If someone is dying you can either let them die or give CPR, when in reality there are many more things that you could do)

Question 25

Hasty Generalization

Answer 25

A fallacy in which a conclusion is not logically justified by sufficient or unbiased evidence. (the evidence you chose to say is either not enough or biased against your argument so it makes your argument invalid)

Question 26

Invective

Answer 26

Denunciatory or abusive language; discourse that casts blame on somebody or something (harsh language that blames someone for something)

Question 27

Ethos

Answer 27

the source’s credibility, the speaker’s/author’s authority (how credible is the speaker and are they authoritative?)

Question 28

Logos

Answer 28

the logic used to support a claim (induction and deduction); can also be the facts and statistics used to help support the argument (how many sources there are and how much info do they have)

Question 29

Pathos

Answer 29

the emotional or motivational appeals; vivid language, emotional language and numerous sensory details (appealing to the emotion and feelings of others)

Question 30

Dialect

Answer 30

A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, and/or vocabulary. (a form of a language ex. the grammar pronunciation and vocal are different, but it is still the same language example is in Spanish)

Question 31

Diction

Answer 31

(1) The choice and use of words in speech or writing. (2) A way of speaking, usually assessed in terms of prevailing standards of pronunciation and elocution. (the words the author uses or how the speaker says the words)

Question 32

Didactic

Answer 32

Intended or inclined to teach or instruct, often excessively (informative, usually to teach more than needed ex Ed)

Question 33

Epiphany

Answer 33

: A sudden manifestation of the meaning of something; a sudden intuitive realization. (suddenly realizing something)

Question 34

Extended Metaphor

Answer 34

A comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences in a paragraph or lines in a poem ( a very long metaphor: she was the tree, tall and strong, she swayed in the wind, the leaves were her hair, as the wind blew her leaves, she stood still and took a deep breath)

Question 35

Genre

Answer 35

A category of artistic composition, as in film or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content ( a type of art ex. thriller, scry, comedy, romantic, etc.)

Question 36

Epitaph

Answer 36

(1) A short inscription in prose or verse on a tombstone or monument. (2) A statement or speech commemorating someone who has died: a funeral oration (something said on your tombstone or something someone says at your funeral

Question 37

Epigram

Answer 37

A short, witty poem expressing a single thought; a concise, clever, often paradoxical statement. (a short poem that clearly expresses what the author is trying to tell you ex. Fleas: Adam had ‘em)

Question 38

Epigraph

Answer 38

An inscription, as on a building or statue; a motto, or quotation at the beginning of a literary work ( a quote or writing that is on a building or statue)

Question 39

Epilogue

Answer 39

A short poem or speech given at the conclusion of a play; a short concluding section at the end of a literary work, often dealing with the future of its characters ( a short saying at the end of something ex. at the end of the last H.G. they say what happens the rest of Peeta and Katniss’s lives)

Question 40

Isocolon

Answer 40

A succession of phrases of approximately equal length and corresponding structure. (phrases that look the same in structure and length that are put together)

Question 41

Jargon

Answer 41

The specialized language of a professional, occupational, or other group, often meaningless to outsiders (a secret language between a group of people ex policee department)

Question 42

Eschatology

Answer 42

The branch of theology which is concerned with the end of the world or of humankind. (the study of the end of the world)

Question 43

Figurative language

Answer 43

Language in which figures of speech (such as metaphors, similes, and hyperbole) freely occur (when the author uses figure of speech often ex metaphors or similes or hyperboles)

Question 44

Litotes

Answer 44

A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. (Like a double negative, but grammatically correct)

Question 45

Loose Sentence

Answer 45

A sentence structure in which a main clause is followed by subordinate phrases and clauses. (a sentence where the important part is at the beginning ex She went to the store and bought cookies, and bananas, and bread, and hotdogs.)

Question 46

Periodic Sentence

Answer 46

A long and frequently involved sentence, marked by suspended syntax, in which the sense is not completed until the final word–usually with an emphatic climax. (sentence where the important part is at the end ex. After cleaning her room, helping take out the garbage, going to target, getting a present, and getting ready, she was able to go to the party)

Question 47

Ad Hominem

Answer 47

An argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case; a logical fallacy that involves a personal attack (an argument where you don’t use facts, just blame another person)

Question 48

Allegory

Answer 48

Extending a metaphor so that objects, persons, and actions in a text are equated with meanings that lie outside the text (a metaphor that uses things in the text to have other meanings)

Question 49

Alliteration

Answer 49

The repetition of an initial consonant sound (the new named nocturnal Neanderthal knocked on the new netting)

Question 50

Ambiguity

Answer 50

The presence of two or more possible meanings in any passage (when a passage can have 2 or more meaning in it)

Question 51

Analogy

Answer 51

Reasoning or arguing from parallel cases (using reasoning by arguing with other cases too, ex. just like in this case… then relate to your case)

Question 52

Antecedent

Answer 52

The noun or noun phrase referred to by a pronoun (ex. the TWO MEN knew that THEY would be payed more)

Question 53

Aphorism

Answer 53

(1) A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion. (2) A brief statement of a principle (ex the rule is that you cannot step over the line)

Question 54

Argument

Answer 54

A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood (ex persuasive speeches)