Rehtorical Terms Flashcards
(119 cards)
Ad Hominem
In an argument, this is an attack on the person rather than on the idea. (Latin meaning “against the man”)
Abstract
Refer to language the describes concepts rather than concrete images.
(Idea and quality rather than observable or specific things, people or places). The observable “physical” is usually described in concrete language.
Allegory
Extended narrative representing abstract qualities in which the writer intends a second meaning.
Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another
Allusion
A reference to a well known person, place, or thing from literature or history.
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 if humorous effect or to make a point.
Annotation
Explanatory notes added at a text to explain, cite sources, or give biological data.
Antithesis
The presentation of two contrasting images. The idea are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
Ex: to be not to be
aphorism
short, often witty statement of a principle or truth about life
apostrophe
usually in poetry but sometime in prose; the device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person or to a place, thing, or personified abstraction
Argumentation
Writing that attempts to prove the validity of a point of view or an idea by representing reasoned arguments
Assonance
Reposition of vowel sounds between different consonants, such as in neigh/fade
Asyndeton
Commas used to deprecate a series if word
Ex: x, y, z as opposed to x, y, and z
Cacophony
Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately 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 slangs) used in everyday conversation and informal writing but that I often inappropriate in formal writing (y’all, ain’t)
Coherence
Quality of writing that contributes to the development of central idea, theme
Concrete language
Describes specific, observable things, people,or places rather than ideas
Connotation
Implied or suggested meaning of a word in the reader mind
Consonance
Repetition of identical consonant sounds in two or not words close to each other in text
Conundrum
A riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
Deduction
The process of moving from a general rule to a specific rule
Denotation
Literal meaning of a word
