Rhetorical Analysis Flashcards

Diction

Specific words a writer or speaker chooses and the effect they have.

Ex: Writing that can be described as informal, formal, jovial, or encouraging, etc

Jargon

Specialized vocabulary used by a certain profession or group

Ex: Diagnosis - Medical Professionals

Allusion

Brief reference to a well-known person, place, or event

Ex: He was a real Romeo to the ladies

Asyndeton

Leaving out conjunctions between words or phrases

Ex: I came, I saw, I conquered - Didn’t use any FANBOYS

Anecdote

Short personal story used to make a point of connect with the audience

Ex: My dog was my best friend in my childhood, because of him, I’m more compassionate

Paradox

Statement that seems contradictory but contains deeper truth

Ex: I must be cruel to be kind

Concession

Acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint to strengthen the argument or persuade the audience before defending your own

Call to Action

An appeal to the audience to take a specific action or adopt a certain viewpoint, often used at the conclusion of a persuasive piece.

Enumeration

A rhetorical device that involves listing items or ideas in order to emphasize a point or create a comprehensive understanding of a topic.

Persona

The character or voice a speaker adopts in a rhetorical situation, shaping how the audience perceives the message and the speaker's credibility.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meaning of a word, which can evoke emotions or associations beyond its literal definition.

Counterargument

A viewpoint that opposes the main argument, presented to strengthen the original argument by addressing potential objections or alternative perspectives.

Denotation

The literal dictionary definition of a word without any feelings attached to it or additional implied meanings.

Ex: Home- literally means place where someone lives

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, suggesting a similarity between them.

Antithesis

Placing contrasting ideas next to each others using a similar structure

Ex: IT WAS the BEST times, IT WAS the WORST times - Parallel structure family

Analogy

Comparing 2 different things because they have a similar idea or relationship

Ex: I am to dancing what Roseanne is to singing, and what Donald Duck is to motivational speeches

Euphemism

A less harsh or direct way of saying something unpleasant

Ex: Passed away instead of died

Antecedent

Noun or phrase that a pronoun refers back to

Ex: Maria forgot her homework - Maria=Her

Metonymy

Replacing something with a word or object closely associated with it.

Ex: Pen is mightier than a sword - Pen=words, sword=violence

Colloquialism

An informal word or phrase commonly used in everyday speech

Ex:Y’all, lit, cuz

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Ex: "I have a dream" in Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. PARALLEL STRUCTURE FAMILY

Polysyndeton

Using more conjunctions than necessary, usually FANBOYS

Rhetorical Question

Question asked to make a point rather than an actual answer

Ex: Must I argue the wrongfulness of this action?

Syntax

How words and sentences are arranged to create a certain effect/Sentence structure

Ex: We never bow, we never bend, we never break

Imagery

Language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures.

Flashback

When a story goes back to an earlier event for context

Allegory

A narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper moral or political meanings, often conveying a broader message.

Ex: Animal farm

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

Parallel Structure

The repetition of similar grammatical structures in a sentence or series of sentences to create balance and rhythm.

Juxtapostion

A literary technique in which two or more ideas, characters, or settings are placed side by side to highlight their differences and create contrast.