Rhetorical Analysis Vocabulary - Week 1

Connotation

the secondary, implied, or suggested meaning of a word

Denotation

the actual, literal meaning of a word

Diction

(word choice) a writer or speaker’s choice of words; synonymous with style

Syntax

the grammatical order in which words are placed; might be broken for effect

Tone

the attitude the writer takes towards their subject, or in their writing; uses adjectives

Explicit

directly stated, leaving no question about the meaning

Implicit

implied, but not directly stated; hinted at

Infer

to deduce or conclude information based on facts or evidence, rather than being explicitly told

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses

Periodic Sentence or Structure

the writer builds suspense by beginning with subordinate elements and postponing the main clauses

Cumulative Sentence or Structure

the subordinate elements come at the end to call attention to them

Balance Sentence

two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a scale; both parts of the sentence have the same form

Antithesis

opposition or contrast in words or ideas within a balanced sentence; words must be truly opposites

Inversion

the reversal of normal, grammatical word order, often for emphasis

Analogy/analogous

a comparison of similar things, usually using something familiar to explain something unfamiliar

Qualification

a restriction in meaning or application

Logical Fallacies

incorrect reasoning (often intentional) in argument to exploit emotional triggers in the audience

Metaphor

comparison not using like or as; a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else

Similie

comparison using like or as

Apostrophe

a dramatic address to someone not present

Allusion

an indirect reference to something outside the text, usually another work of art

Hyperbole

obvious and intentional exaggeration