Rhetorical Analysis Terms

Tropes

A rhetorical term in which the meaning is altered from the usual or expected definition; this involves the use of figurative language.

Schemes

A rhetorical term in which the word order is altered from the usual or expected form; these are found when examining sentence structure and word choice.

Simile

A figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as.'

Metaphor

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things by stating one is the other.

Paradox

A statement that seemingly contradicts itself but may reveal a deeper truth.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Juxtaposition

Placing two elements close together to highlight their differences.

Onomatopoeia

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Personification

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.

Apostrophe

When a speaker directly addresses someone or something that is not present, deceased, or unable to respond.

Colloquialism

Informal, conversational language that is common within a particular region or group.

Euphemism

Mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that may be considered harsh or unpleasant.

Litotes

An understatement in which a positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite.

Metonymy

A type of metaphor that replaces a word with a related or associated word.

Synecdoche

A type of metaphor in which a part represents the whole or vice versa.

Alliteration

The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of multiple conjunctions in close succession, often slowing the rhythm of prose.

Parallelism

The use of similar structures in two or more clauses.

Asyndeton

The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.

Anadiplosis

A rhetorical device where the last word of one clause is repeated at the beginning of the next clause.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Anastrophe

The inversion of the natural or usual order of words.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical structure in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures.

Epistrophe

The repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Zeugma

Using a single word to refer to two or more different things in the same sentence-literal in one sense and figurative in another.