Rhetoric Vocab 1/2

Ad hominem argument

An argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason/ feelings over intellect.

Alliteration

repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

Allusion

the act of making an indirect reference to something : the act of alluding to something

Ambiguity

a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways : an ambiguous word or expression

Analogy

a comparison of two otherwise unlike things (finding my keys is like needle in a haystack)

Antithesis

opposites (good and evil)

Aphorism

Advice of some sort (actions speak louder than words)

Apostrophe

addressing something that is personified

Atmosphere

is the environment that evokes and supports that emotion through language, imagery, and specific detai

Caricature

made by exaggerating personality, behavior, and physical appearance

Chiasmus

repetition at the beginning and end

colloqusim

the use of informal words or phrases in writing or speech

conceit

makes a comparison, but the objects are very dissimilar

connotation

emotional or cultural meaing

denotation

a words literally meaning

didactic

a type of literature that is written to inform or instruct the reader

euphemism

replaces a harsh, direct, or unpleasant term with a milder, more indirect expression

extended metaphor

same as a metaphor but requires more than one line to explain a more complex and nuanced comparison

figurative language

words or phrases that are meaningful, but not literally true

figure of speech

a form of expression (such as a simile or metaphor) used to convey meaning or heighten effect often by comparing or identifying one thing 

generic conventions

components, features, and practices characteristic of genres in general