Amplification Flashcards
Adynaton
Adynaton is a declaration of impossibility, often in an obviously exaggerated comparison. — It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a sinner get into the kingdom of heaven. You’ve got as much chance with her as I have of becoming president.
Ampliatio
Ampliatio involves taking something that is identified in one place and extending it elsewhere. In particular taking something in the present and extending it so it reaches into the past and/or the future. Example: Once a fool, always a fool. We still call him Billy the Baker, even though he’s now a plumber. She said what? Well, she probably said it before anyway.
Amplificatio
This is a term used for general amplification, enhancement or exaggeration of an argument in order to draw attention to it or make it seem more than it really is. Example: I waited days, through wind, rain and freezing hail, just to be first in line to see the most wonderful, beautiful person that anyone could ever behold. I have seen many plays and some of them were dreadful, but that was the absolutely worst performance I have ever been forced to suffer.
Anabasis
Anabasis is stepwise increasing of sense or emphasis in each phrase or sentence. Example: We must respond. We must fight! We must overcome this evil enemy!! | Are you there? I can hear you! There – I see you!! | Good, better, best!
Auxesis
Enhancement of importance.Auxesis is the enhancement importance. Example: I fell over and was wounded! | If you stay late you’ll be a hero. | She is good. He is better. They are best. | You can and you will do this.
Bdelygmia
Bdelygmia is sequence of abusive phrases or statements. Expression of contempt or hatred. Example: He is loathsome to the eye and ear, disgusting all decent people with his ill manner and vitreous, poisonous tongue. | You horrible, horrible man! How could you treat her like that? What would your mother say? What were you thinking? I cannot believe anyone would be so cruel! | Cigarettes are a filthy, horrible, disgusting habit. They pollute the air and poison children. Their purveyors are evil, wicked and mendacious promoters of death.
Climax
Climax is the arrangement of words in increasing order of effect. Example: We’ll collect pennies in tens, hundreds and millions! Power starts small, becomes significant then becomes unstoppable. We’ll fight them in the country, in every town and every street. We shall not surrender! Love creates happiness, happiness creates joy, joy creates enlightenment.
Correctio
Correctio is the use of a corrective extension to a statement. Example He is the best warrior in the region – nay, the entire country! You have not considered the meaning of this – or at least not though much about it.
Epizeuxis
Epizeuxis is the repetition of a word with increasing vehemence. Example No! No!! NO!!! NO!!!! Oh, my son, my son, what will you do, my son?? I am lost, lost, lost unto the darkening seas.
Hyperbole
Extreme exaggeration, often with the intent of making a point or stimulating emotions. Example This box weighs a ton! My love is as great as the greatest mountain. It is as deep as the deepest ocean. It reaches around the world and brings you to me. That was so hilarious I laughed my head off. Oh, goodness it was incredibly, unbelievably funny. I still think my head is somewhere else. Maybe that is why I won’t be going back there again.
Distinctio
Describing something by saying what it is not. Distinctio uses reference to multiple meanings of a word or other elaboration to highlight or enquire about which particular meaning is intended. Example When I say hot, I do not mean she was warm – I mean she was very sexy! Now when you say ‘rough’, do you mean difficult or do you mean harsh, because both make sense, although I would have thought the latter most appropriate. Now becoming invisible is impossible. And by impossible I mean beyond possibility within our current technologies.
Dysphemism
Substituting a mild word with a stronger one. Dysphemism is the use of extreme words instead of more moderate or accurate words. Example She was beating me up with really horrific words. Gambling is a tax on losers. The government are idiots.
Dystmesis
Inserting one word into the middle of another. Dystmesis is the insertion of one word into the middle of another word. Example Fan-bloody-tastic! Congrat-amazing-ulations, young man. I lovely-ove it!
Enumeratio
Enumeratio takes a simple statement and expands it, breaking it down into parts and emphasizing the detail. Example Original: I want to expand the business into overseas markets. Enumeratio: I have grown up with this business and it now needs to grow beyond our current borders into the green fields of opportunity in markets away from these shores, where we can excite new customers and build further on our outstanding success so far. Original: I will go to town now. Enumeratio: I am going down to the station to catch the train to town where I shall go ot the bank, visit the hairdresser, buy some flowers, then catch the train back so I can be here for five o’clock, just before Richard and Jane come.
Epanorthosis
In-sentence correction. Epanorthosis is emphatic correction, mid-sentence, of what has just been said. Example I have had two…no, that’s three…heart attacks. Let me give you a gland–sorry–a hand. The time is coming–actually it has already arrived!
