Rhetorical Devices

Question 1

A statement that seems contradictory, but actually makes sense upon further examination

Answer 1

Paradox

Question 2

The repetition of the same conjunction in close succession for rhetorical effect; adding extra conjunctions in a list

Answer 2

Polysyndeton

Question 3

Emotions of pleasure and sadness caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

Answer 3

Nostalgia

Question 4

Words that are free from any restriction or condition, implying that something is always true, or applies to everyone (or never true and applies to no one)

Answer 4

Absolute

Question 5

A word or phrase preceded by a pound sign. Used on social media to categorize a message or to insert a thought without the need to write a full grammatical sentence.

Answer 5

hashtag

Question 6

A symbolic comparison in which two different things are treated as if they were alike

Answer 6

Metaphor

Question 7

Adjectives used in order to indicate an extreme or unsurpassed level of emotions, association, or hatred for something, indicating that something is the best, worst, or “most” of its kind.

Answer 7

Superlative

Question 8

An inconsistency or discrepancy among statements being made

Answer 8

Contradiction

Question 9

The approach an author takes when trying to create an effective, compelling argument for their intended audience.

Answer 9

Rhetorical Appeals

Question 10

The use of language in which multiple meanings are possible; there is no single clear meaning

Answer 10

Ambiguity

Question 11

The repetition of two or more consonants with a change in intervening vowels

Answer 11

Consonance

Question 12

Similarity in structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

Answer 12

Parrallelism

Question 13

A type of writing where the purpose is to give information; to explain, inform, or describe the subject matter.

Answer 13

Exposition

Question 14

The main statement of an essay; the statement upon which the point of view or discussion in the essay is based.

Answer 14

Thesis

Question 15

The act or an instance of acknowledging a legitimate point of an opponent, accepting something as true, or admitting defeat

Answer 15

Concession

Question 16

Ordinary or conversational language rather than formal speech or writing

Answer 16

Colloquialism

Question 17

The difference between what is expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant

Answer 17

Irony

Question 18

The use of historically inaccurate details in a text; an error of chronology or timeline.

Answer 18

Anachronism

Question 19

A recurring subject, theme, or idea that repeats itself throughout a work

Answer 19

Motif

Question 20

An issue, problem, or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak

Answer 20

Exigence

Question 21

The repetition of initial consonant sounds within close proximity in a sentence

Answer 21

Alliteration

Question 22

The accidental use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect

Answer 22

Malapropism

Question 23

A figure of speech which makes brief reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a symbolic meaning to the text

Answer 23

Allusion

Question 24

A phrase or opinion that is overused and conveys a lack of original thought

Answer 24

Cliche

Question 25

The main idea or an underlying meaning of a work that may be stated directly or indirectly

Answer 25

Theme

Question 26

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive clauses or sentences

Answer 26

Epistrophe

Question 27

Placing two dissimilar items side by side in order to highlight the contrast between them.

Answer 27

Juxtaposition

Question 28

A new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings

Answer 28

Portmanteau

Question 29

A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements, as in "clearly confused."

Answer 29

Oxymoron

Question 30

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object involving any or all of the five senses

Answer 30

Imagery

Question 31

Treating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by giving it human qualities

Answer 31

Personification

Question 32

Using a word as a different part of speech than it's intended, such as using a noun as a verb

Answer 32

Anthimeria

Question 33

The condition of not matching or being out of place within a defined group

Answer 33

incongruity

Question 34

The words an author chooses to use in order to achieve a desired effect

Answer 34

Diction

Question 35

A figure of speech in which an absent person, thing, or abstract quality is addressed as if present

Answer 35

Apostrophe

Question 36

The way words are put together to form phrases, clauses and sentences. It is sentence structure and how it influences the way a reader perceives a piece of writing

Answer 36

Syntax

Question 37

A genre used to make fun or criticize an idea or human vice or weakness, usually done with the intent to incite change.

Answer 37

satire

Question 38

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Answer 38

Euphemism

Question 39

To say that (something) is greater or more important than it really is

Answer 39

Overstatement

Question 40

An elaborate comparison between two things that are alike in some respects for the purpose of explaining something more clearly.

Answer 40

Analogy

Question 41

A brief story told in a piece of writing, often from the writer's personal experience, for the purpose of making a point

Answer 41

Anecdote

Question 42

An imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect

Answer 42

parody

Question 43

The implied meaning of a word, apart from its literal definition; additional meanings closely associated with a word.

Answer 43

Connotation

Question 44

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, usually in successive or nearby words

Answer 44

Assonance

Question 45

A figure of speech in which the order of the terms in the first part of the sentence is reversed in the second part.

Answer 45

Chiasmus

Question 46

To count off or name one by one; to list

Answer 46

Enumeration

Question 47

A figure of speech in which two distinct things are compared by using "like" or "as."

Answer 47

Simile

Question 48

Regular repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses

Answer 48

Anaphora

Question 49

A fake or imagined situation created in order to make a point or envision an outcome

Answer 49

Hypothetical

Question 50

Presenting something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

Answer 50

Understatement

Question 51

The feeling or ambience resulting from the tone of a piece, its subject matter, as well as the writer's use of language

Answer 51

Mood

Question 52

A figure of speech in which a smaller part of something is used to signify the whole thing, or vice-versa; a microcosm or macrocosm.

Answer 52

Synecdoche

Question 53

A question asked just for effect or to lay emphasis on some point discussed when no real answer is expected

Answer 53

rhetorical questions

Question 53

The dictionary definition of a word; the literal meaning

Answer 53

Denotation

Question 54

The direct opposite; in opposition to a previously stated argument

Answer 54

Antithesis

Question 55

The attitude a work takes towards its subject and theme which reflects the writer's attitude

Answer 55

Tone

Question 56

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally but used for the sake of emphasis

Answer 56

Hyperbole

Question 57

The practice of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses in a list for the purpose of adding emphasis to each item in the list

Answer 57

Asyndeton

Question 58

The term use to describe specific forms of writing; categories

Answer 58

Genre

Question 59

Appeal to timing; the opportune time to say or do a particular thing

Answer 59

Kairos