Rhetorical Devices Pt 2 Flashcards
Asyndeton
consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.
Cacophony (dissonance)
harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony
Catachresis
an extravagant, implied metaphor using words in an alien or unusual way
Ex. “I will speak daggars to her”
Chiasmus
“reverse parallelism,” since the second part of a grammatical construction is balanced or paralleled by the first part, only in reverse order; follows an AB-BA structure
Colloquialism
is a word or phrase (including slang) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that is often inappropriate in formal writing.
Diacope
repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase as a method of emphasis.
Ex. We will do it, I tell you; we will do it.
Dysphemism
The opposite of euphemism. For example, a euphemism for “die” is “pass away.” A dysphemism would be “croak.”
Enthymeme
an informally-stated syllogism which omits either one of the premises or the conclusion. The omitted part must be clearly understood by the reader. The usual form of this logical shorthand omits the major premise:
Ex. Since your application was submitted before April 10th, it will be considered. [Omitted premise: All applications submitted before April 10 will be considered.]
Enumerato
detailing parts, causes, effects, or consequences to make a point more forcibly
Epanalepsis
repeats the beginning word of a clause or sentence at the end.
Epistrophe
the repetition of the same word or words comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.
Epithet
an adjective or adjective phrase appropriately qualifying a subject (noun) by naming a key or important characteristic of the subject, as in “laughing happiness,” “sneering contempt,” “untroubled sleep,” “peaceful dawn,” and “lifegiving water.”
Epizeuxis
repetition of one word (for emphasis).
Eponym
substitutes for a particular attribute the name of a famous person recognized for that attribute.
Ex. You think your boyfriend is tight. I had a date with Scrooge himself last night.
