Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
(32 cards)
Colloquial
Language that is informal and conversational. A word or expression that is commonplace and well-known within a specific language, geographic region, or historical area. Ex. Biscuits vs Cookies
Slang
Informal words and phrases that are created among a small group of people or a specific subculture Ex. Slay
Jargon
Technical terms used by people within a specific profession or trade, many which would not make sense to people outside of that particular industry
Denotation
The literal definition of a word- what’s in the dictionary
Connotation
The associations and eotions suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. Ex. Positive, negative, neutral etc.
Situational Irony
When what occurs is the opposite from what is logically expected to happen. Ex. An ambulance runs over someones broken leg.
Verbal Irony
A speaker makes a statement and intends for the listener to know they mean the opposite. Often employs a tone of sarcasm.
Dramatic Irony
When we, the audience, know/have been given more information than one or more of the characters. Ex. The audience seeing the shark in Jaws
Exigence
What causes an author to write or a speaker to speak in the first place. Its the event, the sense of urgence, the problem that requires attention right now, etc.
Concession
Accpeting or acknowledging at least part or all of an opposing position and/or acknowledging a weakness in our own argument.
Qualifiers
Words or phrases we add to put a healthy, reasonable limitation on our argument so as to avoid an absolute claim. Ex. Many, often, some, few
Absolute
Words free from limitations or qualifications. Ex. Always, all, everyone
Conditional Statement
An if-then statement rgar consists of two parts- the “if” and the consequnce or result that may happen
Genre
The major category in which a written work fits
Satire
A work in which the writer/artist often employs techneiques to critisize some element of life, usually to a humorous effect. Employs mockery to get at more serious truths
Parody
A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect or ridicule.
Expose
A work that brings a scandal, crime, etc. to public notice, often previously unknown details that discredit that subject
Diatribe
A speech or piece of writing that features a bitter or violent criticism or attack; a denunciation
Exposition
A work primarily intended to convey info or to explain. Facts without bias.
Didactic
A term describing works that have the primary aim of instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles and/or behavior
Ancedote
A brief recounting of a personal experiance or very short dtory, often given to exemplify an argument
Analogy
A technique in which two unrelated/different objects/things are compared for their shared qualities. Often used to make logical arguments by showing connections and comparisons between dissimilar things.
Aphorism
A terse statement, often one sentence, and osmetimes in a witty-wisdom-bumper sticker kind of way. Ex. ‘Fish and visitors smell in three days’
Paradox
A statement with seemingly contradictory ideas that can actually be true.
