Rhetorical Jargon Flashcards
(276 cards)
1
Q
Absurdity.
A
The exaggeration of a point beyond belief.
2
Q
Accumulation.
A
The emphasis or summary of previously made points or inferences by excessive praise or accusation.
3
Q
Acutezza.
A
Wit or wordplay used in rhetoric.
4
Q
Adjunction.
A
When a verb is placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence instead of in the middle. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), “At the beginning, as follows: ‘Fades physical beauty with disease or age.’ At the end, as follows: ‘Either with disease or age physical beauty fades.’”
5
Q
Aesthetics.
A
The examination of symbolic expression to determine its rhetorical possibilities.
6
Q
Aetiologia
A
Giving a cause or a reason.
7
Q
Affectus
A
A term used by the Italian Humanists of the Renaissance to describe the source of emotions or passions in the human mind.
8
Q
Agenda.
A
That which a persuader successfully makes salient and then spins [see Vatz, Richard E.]
9
Q
Alloisis.
A
The breaking down of a subject into its alternatives.
10
Q
Ambigua.
A
An ambiguous statement used in making puns.
11
Q
Amplificatio.
A
An all-purpose term for all the ways an argument can be expanded and enhanced.
12
Q
Amplification.
A
The act and the means of extending thoughts or statements to increase rhetorical effect, to add importance, or to make the most of a thought or circumstance.
13
Q
Anacoenosis.
A
A speaker asks his or her audience or opponents for their opinion or answer to the point in question.
14
Q
Anacoluthon.
A
An abrupt change of syntax within a sentence. (What I want is — like anybody cares.)
15
Q
Anadiplosis.
A
Repeating the last word of one clause or phrase to begin the next.
16
Q
Analogy.
A
The use of a similar or parallel case or example to reason or argue a point.
17
Q
Anaphora.
A
From the Greek ἀναφέρω, “I repeat”. A succession of sentences beginning with the same word or group of words.
18
Q
Anastrophe.
A
Inversion of the natural word order.
19
Q
Anecdote.
A
A brief narrative describing an interesting or amusing event.
20
Q
Animorum motus.
A
The emotions.
21
Q
Antanaclasis.
A
From Greek ̩ ̩ἀντανάκλασις, a figure of speech involving a pun, consisting of the repeated use of the same word, each time with different meanings.
22
Q
Anthimeria.
A
Substitution of one part of speech for another (such as a noun used as a verb). It is traditionally called antimeria.
23
Q
Antimetabole.
A
Repetition of two words or short phrases, but in reversed order to establish a contrast. It is a specialised form of chiasmus.
24
Q
Antinome.
A
(pronounced an-ta-nome) Two ideas about the same topic that can be worked out to a logical conclusion, but the conclusions contradict each other.
25
Antiptosis.
The substitution of one case for another.
26
Antistrophe.
In rhetoric, repeating the last word in successive phrases. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'Since the time when from our state concord disappeared, liberty disappeared, good faith disappeared, friendship disappeared, the common weal disappeared.'" Also see epiphora.
27
Antithesis.
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, or grammatical structures; the second stage of the dialectic process.
28
Aphaeresis.
The omission of a syllable from the beginning of a word.
29
Apocope.
The omission of the last letter or syllable of a word.
30
Apokoinu construction.
A blend of two clauses through a lexical word which has two syntactical functions, one in each of the blended clauses.
31
Apophasis / Apophesis.
Pretending to deny something as a means of implicitly affirming it. As paralipsis, mentioning something by saying that you will not mention it. The opposite of occupatio.
32
Aporia.
An attempt to discredit an opposing viewpoint by casting doubt on it.
33
Aposiopesis.
An abrupt stop in the middle of a sentence; used by a speaker to convey unwillingness or inability to complete a thought or statement.
34
Apostrophe.
From Greek ἀποστροφή, a figure of speech consisting of a sudden turn in a text towards an exclamatory address to an imaginary person or a thing.
35
Appeals.
Rhetorical devices used to enhance the plausibility of one's argument; Aristotle's appeals included ethos, logos, and pathos.
36
Arete.
Virtue, excellence of character, qualities that would be inherent in a "natural leader," a component of ethos.
37
Argument.
Discourse characterized by reasons advanced to support conclusions.
38
Argumentum ad baculum.
Settling a question by appealing to force.
39
Argumentum ad hominem.
Using what you know about your opponent's character as a basis for your argument.
40
Ars arengandi.
Teaching of forensic speaking during the Medieval rhetorical era.
41
Ars dictaminis.
The art of writing letters, introduced and taught during the Medieval rhetorical era.
42
Ars poetria.
Medieval teaching of grammar and style through analysis of poetry.
43
Ars praedicandi.
The art of preaching based on rhetorical ideas and introduced during the Medieval rhetorical era during an increasing intersection between rhetoric and religion.
44
Artistic proofs.
Rhetorically-produced methods for persuasion. For Aristotle, three possibilities would be ethos, pathos, and logos.
45
Asyndeton.
The deliberate omission of conjunctions that would normally be used.
46
Audience.
Real, imagined, invoked, or ignored, this is a concept that seems to be at the very center of the intersections of composing and rhetoric.
47
Aureation.
The use of Latinate and polysyllabic terms to "heighten" diction.
48
Auxesis.
To place words or phrases in a certain order to obtain a climactic effect.
49
Axioms.
The point where scientific reasoning starts. Principles that are not questioned.
50
Backing.
Supporting an argument's merit.
51
Barbarism.
Use of a non-standard word, expression or pronunciation in a language, particularly one prescriptively regarded as an error in morphology.
52
Bases.
The issues at question in a judicial case.
53
Bdelygmia.
Expression of hatred or contempt.
54
Belles lettres.
Written works considered quality because they are pleasing to the senses.
55
Belletristic Movement.
Movement of rhetoric in the late 18th and early 19th centuries emphasizing stylistic considerations of rhetoric. It also expanded rhetoric into a study of literature and literary
56
Belletristic Movement.
Movement of rhetoric in the late 18th and early 19th centuries emphasizing stylistic considerations of rhetoric. It also expanded rhetoric into a study of literature and literary criticism and writing.
57
Bomphiologia.
Bombastic speech: a rhetorical technique wherein the speaker brags excessively.
58
Brachylogia.
Brevity of diction
59
Brevitas.
Concise expression
60
Burden of proof.
Theory of argument giving the obligation of proving a case to the challenging party.
61
Canon.
A term often used to discuss significant literary works in a specific field, used by Cicero to outline five significant parts of the rhetorical composition process.
62
Captatio benevolentiae.
Any literary or oral device which seeks to secure the goodwill of the recipient or hearer, as in a letter or in a discussion.
63
Catachresis.
The inexact use of a similar word in place of the proper one to create an unlikely metaphor. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'The power of man is short'" or "'the long wisdom in the man.'"
64
Charisma.
An attribute that allows a speaker's words to become powerful.
65
Chiasmus.
From the name of the Greek letter "χ", a figure of speech consisting of the contrasting of two structurally parallel syntactic phrases arranged "cross-wise", i.e. in such a way that the second is in reverse order from the first.
66
Circa rem.
Latin: The circumstances surrounding the act in one Roman topical system.
67
Claim
1. A primary point being made to support an argument. 2. Stephen Toulmin: the resulting conclusion to an argument.
68
Classicism.
A revival in the interest of classical antiquity languages and texts.
69
Climax.
Climax occurs when words or sentences are used to increase weight by mounting degrees in parallel construction.
70
Colon.
A colon (Greek κῶλον) is a rhetorical figure consisting of a clause which is grammatically, but not logically, complete.
71
Colloquialism.
A word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation.
72
Common Topics.
Arguments and approaches useful in rhetorical settings; koinoi topoi.
73
Consubstantiality.
Substance commonality.
74
Constraints.
Referring to "persons, events, objects, and relations which are parts of the situation because they have the power to constrain decision and action needed to modify the exigence." Originally used by Lloyd Bitzer.
75
Contingency.
In rhetoric, it relates to the contextual circumstances that do not allow an issue to be settled with complete certainty.
76
Context.
The circumstances surrounding an issue that should be considered during its discussion.
77
Cookery.
Plato believed rhetoric was to truth as cookery was to medicine. Cookery disguises itself as medicine and appears to be more pleasing, when in actuality it has no real benefit.
78
Critical theory.
Systematically analyzing any means of communication for hidden assumptions and connotations.
79
Concession.
Acknowledgment of objections to a proposal
80
Data.
Stephen Toulmin. Initial evidence supporting a claim.
81
Deconstruction.
Analyzing communication artifacts by scrutinizing their meaning and related assumptions, with the goal of determining the social and systemic connotations behind their structure.
82
Deduction.
Moving from an overall hypothesis to infer something specific about that hypothesis.
83
Delectare.
To delight; viewed by Cicero as one of the three goals of rhetoric.
84
Delivery.
Canon #5 in Cicero's list of rhetorical canons; traditionally linked to oral rhetoric, refers to how a speech is given (including tone of voice and nonverbal gestures, among others).
85
Demos.
The population of an ancient Greek state, considered a political entity; population; the common people.
86
Dialectic.
A rhetorical term that has been defined differently by Aristotle and Ramus, among others; generally, it means using verbal communication between people to discuss topics in order to come to an agreement about them.
87
Diallage.
Establishing a single point with the use of several arguments.
88
Dictamen.
The art of writing letters.
89
Dispositio.
In the classical theory of the production of speech Pronuntiatio dispositio refers to the stage of planning the structure and sequence of ideas. Often referred to as arrangement, the second of Cicero's five rhetorical canons.
90
Dissoi Logoi.
Contradictory arguments.
91
Distribution.
Dividing a whole subject into its various parts.
92
Docere.
To teach; viewed by Cicero as one of the three goals of rhetoric.
93
Dramatistic
Way to look at the nature of language stressing on language as an action. ex. uses expressions such as 'thou shalt' and 'thou shalt not."
94
Dysphemism.
A term with negative associations for something in reality fairly innocuous or inoffensive.
95
Ecphonesis.
A sentence consisting of a single word or short phrase ending with an exclamation point.
96
Ellipse.
The suppression of ancillary words to render an expression more lively or more forceful.
97
Elocutio.
In the classical theory of the production of a speech (Pronuntiatio), elocution refers to the stage of elaborating the wording of a text, using correct grammar and diction.
98
Enallage.
The switching of grammatical forms for an expressive purpose.
99
Energia.
The latin word for 'energy' that was used by Aristotle in reference to the force or vigor of expression in writing or speech.
100
Enthymeme.
A type of argument that is grounded in assumed commonalities between a rhetor and the audience. (For example: Claim 1: Bob is a person. Therefore, Claim 3: Bob is mortal. The assumption (unstated Claim 2) is that People are mortal). In Aristotelian rhetoric, an enthymeme is known as a "rhetorical syllogism:" it mirrors the form of a syllogism, but it is based on opinion rather than fact (For example: Claim 1: These clothes are tacky. Claim 2: I am wearing these clothes. Claim 3: Therefore, I am unfashionable).
101
Enumeratio.
Making a point more forcibly by listing detailed causes or effects; to enumerate: count off or list one by one.
102
Epanalepsis.
A figure of speech in which the same word or phrase appears both at the beginning and at the end of a clause.
103
Epanaphora.
In rhetoric, repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases for emphasis. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'To you must go the credit for this, to you are thanks due, to you will this act of yours bring glory.'"
104
Epideictic.
Ceremonial rhetoric, such as might be found in a funeral or victory speech.
105
Epiphora.
The repetition of a phrase or word at the end of several sentences or clauses. Also see anaphora.
106
Epistemology.
Philosophical study directed at understanding how people gain knowledge.
107
Epistrophe.
A succession of clauses, phrases or sentences that all end with the same word or group of words.
108
Epithet.
A term used as a descriptive and qualifying substitute for the name of a person, place or thing.
109
Epizeuxis.
Emphasizing an idea using one word repetition.
110
Eristic.
Communicating with the aim of winning the argument regardless of truth. The idea is not necessarily to lie, but to present the communication so cleverly that the audience is persuaded by the power of the presentation.
111
Erotema.
The so-called 'Rhetorical Question', where a question is asked to which an answer is not expected.
112
Ethos.
A rhetorical appeal to an audience based on the speaker/writer's credibility.
113
Ethopoeia.
The act of putting oneself into the character of another to convey that persons feelings and thoughts more vividly.
114
Euphemism.
An innocuous, inoffensive or circumlocutory term or phrase for something unpleasant or obscene
115
Evidence.
In rhetoric, facts or testimony used to strengthen a claim.
116
Exemplum.
The citation of an example, either truthful or fictitious.
117
Exigence.
A rhetorical call to action; a situation that compels someone to speak out.
118
Exordium.
The introductory (Lat: exordium, beginning) portion of an oration
119
Expression.
applying the correct language to an argument.
120
Fable.
A short allegorical story.
121
Facetiae.
Latin, humor or wit
122
Facilitas .
The improvising of effective oral or written language to suit any situation.
123
Faculty psychology.
18th century, the mind contains faculties that include understanding, imagination, passion, and will.
124
False consciousness.
Jurgen Habermas, a distorted view of reality, people, and the world.
125
Feminist Rhetoric.
Rhetorical theory concerned with feminism and its critique of social structures.
126
Fictio.
The attribution of rational traits to non-rational creatures.
127
Field-dependent.
Stephen Toulmin's term, standards for assessing arguments that are specific to a certain field.
128
Field-invariant.
Stephen Toulmin's term, standards for assessing arguments that are not determined by the particular field.
129
Figure.
Unusual arrangement of language that tries to achieve unique meaning for ideas.
130
Forensic Oratory
speaking in a courtroom.
131
Gens.
Latin, an influential group of families
132
Genera.
(Plural of genus) Classification by race, kind, or possession of similarities; descriptive of different types of oratory.
133
Graecismus.
The use of Greek idiom.
134
Hendiadys.
Using two nouns linked by a conjunction to express a single complex idea.
135
Hermeneutics.
The theoretical underpinnings of interpreting texts, usually religious or literary.
136
Heteroglossia.
The many prolific languages of any culture.
137
Heuristics.
Determining or applying the proper methods for investigation.
138
Homiologia.
A tedious style or redundancy of style.
139
Homoioteleuton.
From the Greek ομοιοτέλευτο (homios, "like" and teleute, "ending"). A figure of speech where adjacent or parallel words have similar endings.
140
Horismus.
A brief and often antithetical definition.
141
Hypallage.
A literary device that reverses the syntactic relation of two words (as in "her beauty's face").
142
Hyperbaton.
A figure of speech in which words that naturally belong together are separated from each other for emphasis or effect.
143
Hyperbole.
A figure of speech where emphasis is achieved through exaggeration, independently or through comparison. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'His body was as white as snow, his face burned like fire.'"
144
Hypophora.
When a speaker asks aloud what his/her adversaries have to say for themselves or against the speaker, and then proceeds to answer the question. For example (fromRhetorica ad Herennium), "'When he reminded you of your old friendship, were you moved? No, you killed him nevertheless, and with even greater eagerness. And then when his children grovelled at your feet, were you moved to pity? No, in your extreme cruelty you even prevented their father's burial.'"
145
Hypothesis.
An educated guess
146
Hypozeuxis.
A sentence in which every clause has its own subject and verb.
147
Hysteron proteron.
A rhetorical device in which the first key word of the idea refers to something that happens temporally later than the second key word. The goal is to call attention to the more important idea by placing it first.
148
Icon.
Using imagery to create resemblance.
149
Identification.
Connecting with a larger group through a shared interpretation or understanding of a larger concept; Kenneth Burke was one of the first people to use the term in this way.
150
Ideology.
A way of understanding one's external surroundings.
151
Ignoratio elenchi.
A conclusion that is irrelevant.
152
Imitatio.
Latin, imitation.
153
Inartistic proofs.
Discovered information stemming from the raw data of experience.
154
Indefinite questions.
In Quintlian, questions that are discussed without referring to anything specifically.
155
Indignatio.
To arouse indignation in the audience.
156
Induction.
Rhetorical method for coming to general conclusions through specific examples.
157
Ingenium.
Latin, In Vico- the ability to understand similarities and relationships that is innate in all humans.
158
In re.
Latin, arguments concerned with what actually happened.
159
Institutio Oratoria .
Educational and rhetorical principles as described and prescribed in treatise by Quintillian.
160
Insultatio.
Abusing a person to his/her face by using irony and derisive language.
161
Interlacement.
Combining the figures Antistrophe and Epanaphora for rhetorical style and emphasis. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'Who are they who have often broken treaties? The Carthaginians. Who are they who have waged ware with severest cruelty? The Carthaginians.'"
162
Intersubjective agreements.
agreements on the fair conduct of an argument among individuals participating in dialogue.
163
Invention.
Described by Cicero as the process of determining "valid or seemingly valid arguments;" the first of his five rhetorical canons.
164
Invitational rhetoric.
(Foss and Griffin) rhetoric that is not intended to persuade.
165
Ioci.
Jokes, see Cicero's De Oratore and his theory of humor.
166
Irony.
A deliberate contrast between indirect and direct meaning to draw attention to the opposite.
167
Isocolon.
A string of phrases of corresponding structure and equal length.
168
Issues of definition.
Things related to naming an act.
169
Issues of fact.
Issues related to an act's occurrence.
170
Issues of quality.
Issues related to the seriousness of an act.
171
Jargon.
Highly technical language used by specific group.
172
Judicial.
Type of oratory used to attack or defend someone in a court of law.
173
Kairos.
From the Greek word καιρος. Generally means, "timing" or "the right circumstances."
174
Kategoria.
Greek for Accusation.
175
Koinoi topoi.
Common topics; in a rhetoric situation, useful arguments and strategies.
176
Koinonia.
To consult with your opponent or judge.
177
Kolakeia.
Flattery; telling people what they want to hear while disregarding their best interests; employed by sophistic rhetoricians.
178
Lexis.
Style.
179
Litotes.
Stating a positive by negating the negative — a form of understatement. ("I am not unaware of your difficulties.")
180
Localism.
A word, phrase, or custom particular to one's location.
181
Loci communes.
Types of arguments. Quintillian trained orators to learn intellectual habits to access the arguments quickly.
182
Locution.
Refers to the utterance of a statement.
183
Logical Fallacy.
Misconceptions resulting from faulty reasoning.
184
Logical positivism.
The effort to make scientific standards applicable for resolving all issues.
185
Logos.
Rhetorical appeals based on logic or reasoning.
186
Logology.
Kenneth Burke. Study of the specific theological terms used. Not to find the truth or falseness of the statement, but why that particular word was chosen.
187
Major premise.
Statement in a syllogism. Generalization.
188
Magnanimity.
Doing good to others, "its opposite is meanness of spirit" (from Aristotle's Rhetoric).
189
Material fallacy.
False notion concerning the subject matter of an argument.
190
Maxim.
"A saying drawn from life, which shows concisely either what happens or ought to happen in life, for example: 'Every beginning is difficult.'" (from Rhetorica ad Herennium)
191
Memory.
Described by Cicero as the "firm mental grasp of matter and words;" the fourth of his five rhetorical canons.
192
Metanarrative.
Universal theories positing to know all aspects of humanity.
193
Metaphor.
A figure of speech where a word that normally applies to one thing is used to designate another for the sake of creating a mental picture. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'...he lightly breathed a favoring breath'".
194
Metonymy.
A figure of speech which substitutes one word or phrase for another with which it is closely associated. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "one should say 'wine' for 'Liber', 'wheat' for 'Ceres'." In UK, people speak of "Crown property" meaning property belonging to the Sovereign. Similarly: "The White House had no comment to make." (= the President's representatives)
195
Metron.
Greek, measure.
196
Minor premise.
Statement in an argument.
197
Moral reasoning.
Reasoning employed in rhetoric that determines a conclusion based on evidence. Used in issues of ethics, religion, economics, and politics.
198
Motive.
Something that plays a role in one's decision to act.
199
Movere.
To persuade; viewed by Cicero as one of the three goals of rhetoric.
200
Narration.
Story telling, involving the elements of time, place, actor, action, cause and manner.
201
Neoplatonism.
School of thought emanating from the works of Plato and Aristotle in early BCE Rome.
202
Noema.
Speech that is deliberately subtle or obscure.
203
Nomos.
Greek, a social custom or convention.
204
Non Sequitur.
A statement bearing no relationship to the preceding context.
205
Notaries.
Secretaries trained in rhetoric for dealing with the agreements that were needed for commercial cities in Italy to function.
206
Occupatio.
Introducing and responding to one's opponents' arguments before they have the opportunity to bring them up. The opposite of apophasis.
207
Ominatio.
A prophecy of evil.
208
Onomatopoeia.
Words that imitate the sounds, objects, or actions they refer to. (ex. "buzz", "hullabaloo," "bling")
209
Opening.
First part of discourse. Should gain audiences' attention.
210
Oxymoron.
A condensed paradox.
211
Parachesis.
Repetition of the same sound in several words in close succession. Alliteration (initial rhyme) is a special case of parachesis.
212
Paradeigma.
Greek, argument created by a list of examples that leads to a probable generalized idea.
213
Paradiastole.
Greek, redescription - usually in a better light.
214
Paralipsis.
A form of apophasis when a rhetor introduces a subject by denying it should be discussed. To speak of someone or something by claiming not to.
215
Parallel Syntax.
repetition of similar sentence structures.
216
Parallel Structure.
using the same tense and structure.
217
Parisosis.
When clauses have very similar lengths, as measured by syllables; sometimes taken as equivalent to isocolon.
218
Paromoiosis.
Parallelism of sound between the words of two clauses approximately equal in size. The similarity of sound can occur at the beginning of the clauses, at the end (where it is equivalent to homoioteleuton), in the middle or throughout the clauses.
219
Pathos.
Greek, the emotional appeal to an audience in an argument. One of Aristotle's three proofs.
220
Paronomasia.
A play on words, often for humorous effect.
221
Periphrasis.
The substitution of many or several words where one would suffice; usually to avoid using that particular word.
222
Peroratio.
Latin, the last section of a judicial speech where the speaker is the strongest.
223
Personification.
A figure of speech that gives human characteristics to inanimate objects, or represents an absent person as being present. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'But if this invincible city should now give utterance to her voice, would she not speak as follows?'"
224
Petitio.
Latin, in a letter, an announcement, demand, or request.
225
Phallogocentrism.
Examines the relationship between logos (reason) and the phallus (representative of male genitalia). Just as the phallus is implicitly and sometime explicitly assumed to be the only significant sexual organ, the masculine is the accepted as the central point of reference of validity and authority for a society.
226
Phronesis.
Greek, practical wisdom; common sense.
227
Physis.
Greek, nature.
228
Plausibility.
Rhetoric that is believable right away due to its association with something that the audience already knows or has experienced.
229
Pleonasm.
The use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
230
Polyphonic.
Having multiple voices.
231
Polyptoton.
The repetition of a word or root in different cases or inflections within the same sentence.
232
Polysyndeton.
The repeated use of conjunctions within a sentence, particularly where they do not necessarily have to be used.
233
Positivism.
Term created by Auguste Comte that posits that science, math, or logic can prove any reasonable claim.
234
Postmodernism.
Related to rhetoric, a field of inquiry concerned with the ideological underpinnings of commonly held assumptions.
235
Praegnans constructio.
A form of brachylogy in which two clauses or two expressions are condensed into one.
236
Pragmatism.
Approach based on practical consideration and immediate perception to the exclusion of moral (in the sense of 'should') and ethic arguments.
237
Prolepsis
A literary device in which a future state is spoken of in the present; for example, a condemned man may be called a "dead man walking".
238
Proof surrogate.
An expression used to suggest that there is evidence or authority for a claim without actually citing such evidence or authority
239
Prosopopoeia
Speaking as another person or object; in a sense, the inverse of apostrophe
240
Protreptic.
Greek, the potential to persuade through language.
241
Quadrivium.
The major subjects taught in medieval times: geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music.
242
Rebuttal.
Stephen Toulmin's term, conditions on the acceptability of a claim.
243
Rhetoric
The study and practice of good effective expression. Also a type of discourse- focusing on goals of the speech or piece of writing that attempts to sway the mind of the audience.
244
Rhetorical Situation.
. A term made popular by Lloyd Bitzer; describes the scenario that contains a speech act, including the considerations (purpose, audience, author/speaker, constraints to name a few) that play a role in how the act is produced and perceived by its audience. The counterargument regarding Bitzer's situation-rhetoric relationship was made by Richard E. Vatz in "The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation" and “The Mythical Status of Situational Rhetoric” in The Review of Communication, 2009. He argued for a salience-meaning (or now, agenda-framing-spin) model of persuasion, which emphasized rhetoric as a creative act with increased agent or persuader responsibility for the situation his or her rhetoric creates. He maintained this added to the importance of rhetorical study and that Bitzer's formulation was "anti-rhetorical."
245
Salon.
Intellectual assembly in an aristocratic setting; primarily associated with France in the 17th and 18th centuries.
246
Scientism.
In Weaver, applying scientific assumptions to subjects that are not completely natural.
247
Second Sophistic.
Rhetorical era in Rome that dealt primarily with rhetorical style through some of the Greek Sophists' concepts, while neglecting its political and social uses because of censorship.
248
Semantics.
Philosophical study of language that deals with its connection to perceptions of reality.
249
Semiotics.
Branch of semantics concerning language and communication as a system of symbols.
250
Sententia.
Applying a general truth to a situation by quoting a maxim or other wise saying as a conclusion or summary of that situation.
251
Simile.
A figure of speech that compares unlike things, implying a resemblance between them. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "'He entered the combat in body like the strongest bull, in impetuosity like the fiercest lion.'"
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Skepticism.
Type of thought that questions whether universal truth exists and is attainable by humans.
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Soraismus.
The ignorant or affected mingling of languages.
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Sprezzatura.
The ability to appear that there is seemingly little effort used to attain success. The art of being able to show that one is able to deceive. Baldessare Castiglione.
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Stasis System.
System of finding arguments by means of looking at ideas that are contradictory.
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Status quo.
Latin: The generally accepted existing condition or state of affairs.
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Straw man.
An argument that is a logical fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position.
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Syllepsis.
A word modifying others in appropriate, though often incongruous ways. This is a similar concept to zeugma.
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Syllogism.
A type of valid argument that states if the first two claims are true, then the conclusion is true. (For example: Claim 1: People are mortal. Claim 2: Bob is a person. Therefore, Claim 3: Bob is mortal.) Started by Aristotle.
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Symbol.
A visual or metaphorical representation of an idea or concept.
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Symploce.
A figure of speech in which several successive clauses have the same first and last words.
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Synchysis.
Word order confusion within a sentence.
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Syncope.
The omission of letters from the middle of a word, usually replaced by an apostrophe.
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Synecdoche.
A rhetorical device where one part of an object is used to represent the whole. e.g., "There are fifty head of cattle." (Head is substituting for the whole animal). "Show a leg!" (naval command to get out of bed = show yourself)
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Tapinosis.
Language or an epithet that is debasing. This term is synonymous with Meiosis.
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Tautologia.
The same idea repeated in different words.
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Taxis.
The distribution of a proper adjunct to every subject.
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Thesis.
The major claim or premise made in an argument to be proved or dis-proved.
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Tone.
The author's voice in an essay through use of figurative language or a style of enunciation in writing (also known as a diction). The way the author expresses himself out loud or through a character.
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Toulmin Model.
A method of diagraming arguments created by Stephen Toulmin that identifies such components as backing, claim, data, qualifier, rebuttal, and warrant.
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Tricolon.
The pattern of three phrases in parallel, found commonly in Western writing after Cicero. For example, the kitten had white fur, blue eyes, and a pink tongue.
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Tropes.
Figure of speech that uses a word aside from its literal meaning.
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Understatement.
A form of irony, also called litotes, in which something is represented as less than it really is, with the intent of drawing attention to and emphasizing the opposite meaning.
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Visual rhetoric.
A theoretical framework describing how visual images communicate, as opposed to aural or verbal messages.
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Warrant.
term used by Stephen Toulmin to establish a link between data and a claim.
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Zeugma.
From the Greek word "ζεύγμα", meaning "yoke". A figure of speech in which one word applies to two others in different senses of that word, and in some cases only logically applies to one of the other two words. This is a similar concept to syllepsis.
