Rhetoric Vocab #3

35-54

Clause

A part of a sentence with a subject and verb.

Climax

The most exciting or important moment in a story.

Comparison and Contrast

Explaining similarities (comparison) and differences (contrast).

Conceit

A clever or unusual metaphor or idea.

Concrete Detail

A specific, real, or tangible detail.

Connotation

The emotional or implied meaning of a word.

Consonance

Repetition of consonant sounds.

Critique

An evaluation or judgment of something.

Cynic

A person who sees only the worst in people.

Deductive Reasoning

Starting with a general idea to reach a specific conclusion.

Denotation

The dictionary meaning of a word.

Denouement

The final resolution of a story.

Descriptive Detail

Exact details that describe clearly.

Dues ex Machina

A sudden, unrealistic way of solving a story’s problem.

Diction

Word choice in writing or speech.

Didactic

Intended to teach, often in a boring or preachy way.

Digression

Going off-topic in a discussion or writing.

Dionysian

Relating to pleasure, emotion, and sensuality.

Dramatic Irony

When the audience knows more than the character.

Elegy

A poem or writing that mourns someone’s death or loss.