Rhetorical Terms

Question 1

What is Alliteration?

Answer 1

The repetition of an initial consonant sound

Commonly used in poetry and prose for emphasis and rhythm.

Question 2

Define Allusion.

Answer 2

A reference to a person, place, or event—not found in the work

Can be real or fictional.

Question 3

What is an Analogy?

Answer 3

Reasoning from parallel cases

Often used to explain a concept by comparing it to something familiar.

Question 4

What is Anaphora?

Answer 4

Repetition at the beginning of successive clauses or verses

Used for emphasis and rhythm in writing.

Question 5

What does Antithesis refer to?

Answer 5

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases

Highlights differences and can create tension.

Question 6

What is Apostrophe?

Answer 6

Addressing some absent person or thing

Often used in poetry to convey emotions.

Question 7

Define Assonance.

Answer 7

The similarity in vowel sounds in neighboring words

Creates a musical quality in writing.

Question 8

What is Asyndeton?

Answer 8

The omission of conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses

Used to create a sense of speed or urgency.

Question 9

What does Chiasmus mean?

Answer 9

The second half of an expression is balanced against the first but reversed

Creates a specific rhetorical effect.

Question 10

What does Colloquial refer to?

Answer 10

Informal language

Often used in everyday conversation.

Question 11

Define Connotation.

Answer 11

The emotional implications and associations that a word may carry

Different from the word’s literal meaning.

Question 12

What is Denotation?

Answer 12

The direct or dictionary meaning of a word

Opposite of connotation.

Question 13

What is Diction?

Answer 13

Author’s choice of words

Influences tone and style.

Question 14

What is Epistrophe?

Answer 14

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses

Used for emphasis and rhythm.

Question 15

Define Ethos.

Answer 15

An appeal based on the character of the speaker

Establishes credibility.

Question 16

What is a Euphemism?

Answer 16

The substitution of an inoffensive term for one offensive

Often used to soften harsh realities.

Question 17

What is a Fallacy?

Answer 17

An error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid

Important to identify in logical arguments.

Question 18

What does Figurative Language refer to?

Answer 18

Language with figures of speech (such as metaphors, similes, hyperbole)

Enhances meaning and emotional impact.

Question 19

What is Hyperbole?

Answer 19

Extreme exaggeration

Used for emphasis or effect.

Question 20

Define Imagery.

Answer 20

Vivid descriptive language; appeals to the senses

Helps create mental images.

Question 21

What is Irony?

Answer 21

The use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning

Can be verbal, situational, or dramatic.

Question 22

What does Juxtaposition mean?

Answer 22

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side-by-side

Highlights contrasts and comparisons.

Question 23

What is Litotes?

Answer 23

An understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite

Creates a subtle emphasis.

Question 24

What does Logos refer to?

Answer 24

Employs logical reasoning, combining a clear idea with appropriate examples and details

An important rhetorical appeal.

Question 25

What is a Loose Sentence?

Answer 25

A main clause is followed by subordinate phrases and clauses ## Footnote Opposite of periodic sentence.

Question 26

Define Metaphor.

Answer 26

Comparing two unlike things that actually have something important in common ## Footnote Does not use 'like' or 'as'.

Question 27

What is Metonymy?

Answer 27

One word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated ## Footnote Example: 'The White House' for the U.S. President.

Question 28

What is Onomatopoeia?

Answer 28

Words that sound like what they mean ## Footnote Examples include 'buzz', 'bang'.

Question 29

Define Paradox.

Answer 29

A statement that appears to contradict itself ## Footnote Often reveals a deeper truth.

Question 30

What does Parallelism mean?

Answer 30

The similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses ## Footnote Enhances clarity and rhythm.

Question 31

What is Pathos?

Answer 31

Appeals to the audience’s emotions ## Footnote A critical element in persuasive writing.

Question 32

What is a Periodic Sentence?

Answer 32

A long sentence in which the main clause is at the end ## Footnote Opposite of loose sentence.

Question 33

Define Personification.

Answer 33

An inanimate object or idea is endowed with human qualities ## Footnote Used to create relatable imagery.

Question 34

What is a Rhetorical Question?

Answer 34

A question asked merely for effect with no answer expected ## Footnote Engages the audience.

Question 35

What is a Simile?

Answer 35

Two unlike things are explicitly compared with 'like' or 'as' ## Footnote Used for vivid descriptions.

Question 36

What does Synecdoche refer to?

Answer 36

A part used to represent the whole ## Footnote Example: 'All hands on deck' refers to people.

Question 37

Define Syntax.

Answer 37

The arrangement of words in a sentence ## Footnote Influences meaning and clarity.

Question 38

What is Tone?

Answer 38

A writer’s emotion towards a subject ## Footnote Influences the reader's perception.

Question 39

What is Understatement?

Answer 39

Making a situation seem less important or serious than it is ## Footnote Often used for irony or humor.

Question 40

What does Zeugma mean?

Answer 40

Completing a list with an unexpected final word ## Footnote Creates a surprising or humorous effect.