Rhetorical Terminology Quiz1

Ad Hominem

Comes from the Latin phrase, “to the man.”

An argument that attacks the opposing speaker or another person instead of addressing the issue itself.

Allegory

Is a fictional work in which the characters represent ideas or concepts.

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress the characters named Faithful, Mercy, and Mr. Worldly Wiseman are meant to represent types of people rather than to be actual characters themselves.

Alliteration

The repetition of consonant sounds.

Allusion

A reference to a familiar person, place, or thing from history, the bible, mythology, or literature.

A way for the author to capture the essence of a n idea, atmosphere, emotion, or historical era.

An allusion must be familiar to the reader.

Ambiguity

Uncertain or indefinite / if something is ambiguous, it is subject to more than one interpretation

Analogy

A form of comparison in which the writer explains something unfamiliar by comparing it to something familiar.

“A transmission line is simply a pipeline for electricity”

Anadiplosis

The repetition of the last word of a preceding clause at the beginning of a new clause.

“Isolation breeds insecurity;insecurity breeds suspicion and fear; suspicion and fear breed violence.”

Analytical Reading

Active reading, paying close attention to both content and structure of the text.

Ask these questions:

What is the main point, what is the purpose, what strategies are used, how does the strategy suit the subject and purpose, what is special about the way the strategy is used, and how effective is the essay and why

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Anastrophe

The inversion of the usual order of words or clauses.

Used to add emphasis or to achieve a desired rhythm.

“It’s all part of the enigma that is Jane” instead of “Jane is an enigma.”