Rhetorical Terms

Juxtaposition

(n) The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with [often] contrasting effect.

Allusion

(n.) An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

Metaphor

(n.) A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Simile

(n.) A figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid (e.g. as brave as a lion).

Anaphora

(n.) The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

Parallelism

(n.) The use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose which correspond in grammatical structure, sound, metre, meaning, etc.

Anecdote

(n.) A short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature.

Diction

(n.) The choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

Imagery

(n.) the representation of objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses.

Rhetorical Question

(n.) A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

Repetition

(n.) The action of repeating something that has already been said or written.

Analogy

(n.) an extended comparison between something unfamiliar and something more familiar for the purpose of illuminating or dramatizing the unfamiliar. An analogy might, say, compare nuclear fission (less familiar) to a pool player's opening break (more familiar).

Verbal Irony

(n.) A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant

Situational Irony

(n.) irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Allegory

(n.) A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.

Symbolism

(n.) A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well

Satire

(n.) A literary work that criticizes human misconduct and ridicules vices, stupidities, and follies.

Sarcasm

(n.) the use of irony to mock or convey contempt

Hyperbole

(n.) exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Logical Appeal (Logos)

(n.) When a writer tries to persuade the audience based on statistics, facts, and reasons. The process of reasoning

Emotional Appeal (Pathos)

(n.) When a writer appeals to readers' emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument.

Ethical Appeal (Ethos)

(n.) When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.

Antithesis

(n.) the use of parallel structures to call attention to contrasts or opposites, as in "Some like it hot; some like it cold."

Oxymoron

(n.) a rhetorical trope that states a paradox or contradiction, as in "jumbo shrimp" or "deafening silence."

Paradox

(n.) a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true, as in "save money by spending it."