Rhetorical Devices Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key rhetorical devices for the December 11th test.

Absolute

a word free from limitations or qualifications ("best," "all", "unique," "perfect")

Allusion

a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize

Amplification

repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to emphasize it

Analogy

a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way

Anaphora

repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses

Anecdote

a brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event

Antithesis

a statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced

Aphorism

a concise, statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balance

Asyndeton

a construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions

Balanced sentence

a sentence in which words, phrases, or clauses are set off against each other to emphasize a contrast

Chiasmus

a statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed ("Susan walked in, and out rushed Mary.")

Cliché

an expression that has been overused to the extent that its freshness has worn off

Colloquialism

informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing

Connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word (slender vs. skinny; cheap vs. thrifty)

Deductive reasoning

reasoning in which a conclusion is reached by stating a general principle and then applying that principle to a specific case (The sun rises every morning; therefore, the sun will rise on Tuesday morning.)

Denotation

the literal meaning of a word

Diction

the word choices made by a writer (diction can be described as formal, semi-formal, ornate, informal, technical, etc.)

Didactic

having the primary purpose of teaching or instructing

Epigram

a brief, pithy, and often paradoxical saying

Epistrophe

repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses (e.g., "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil").

Ethos

the persuasive appeal of one's character, or credibility

Euphemism

an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

Hyperbole

intentional exaggeration to create an effect

Hypophora

Asking a question and immediately answering it (e.g., "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!").

Imagery

the use of figures of speech to create vivid images that appeal to one of the 5 senses

Implication

a suggestion an author or speaker makes (implies) without stating it directly. NOTE: the author/speaker implies; the reader/audience infers.

Inductive reasoning

deriving general principles from particular facts or instances ("Every cat I have ever seen has four legs; cats are four-legged animals.)

Invective

an intensely vehement, highly emotional verbal attack