Rhetoric QUIZ

Rhetorical Device

Stylistic device or resource of language that is used to help persuade or make an impact on the audience.

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person or event—often from literature, history, Greek myth, or the bible.

Hyperbole

An obvious and deliberate exaggeration (to emphasize something or for humorous purposes). Ex. I told you a million times.

Euphemism

A mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive. Ex. restroom instead of bathroom

Anaphora

Intentional repetition of the first word(s) in sentences or clauses. (common type of repetition) Ex. Love is in the air, love is everywhere….

Epistrophe

Intentional repetition of words at the end of sentences or clauses; exact opposite of anaphora. (common type of repetition) Ex. See no evil; hear no evil…

Parallelism

Words, phrases, clauses expressed with the same or very similar grammatical structure. (Often occurs with anaphora and epistrophe. Ex. ..that we shall pay the price, bear any burden, meet any hardship…

Understatement

A statement that minimizes the significance of something or says less than it means; often used for comedic effect. Ex. It isn’t very serious, I just have a tiny tumor on the brain.

Oxymoron

Figure of speech that pairs TWO words (sometimes one ex. bittersweet) of opposite meaning for dramatic, comedic, or provocative effect.

Paradox

Figure of speech in which a STATEMENT appeals to contradict itself; MORE THAN TWO words. Ex. If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing.

Anastrophe

Inverting the usual order of words or phrases (Yoda talk). Ex. Beautiful she is and love her I do.

Antithesis

Opposite words or statements are contrasted and includes a parallel grammatical/sentence structure (parallelism). “Money is the root of all evils; poverty is the fruit of all goodness.”

Hypophora

Occurs when a writer asks a question and follows the question with the answer. (opposite of rhetorical question)

Polysyndeton

Joining phrases, clauses, or sentences with a conjunction repeated over and over. (and, or, but, etc.) Ex. I love dogs, and cats, and fish, and all kinds of animals.

Asyndeton

Joining phrases, clauses, or sentences without a conjunction. (..dogs, cats, birds.) Ex. I love dogs, cats, horses, fish.

Syllepsis

When a writer plays on the multiple meaning of a word. Ex. “You held your breath and the door for me.”

Isocolon

Parallel phrases, clauses, or sentences of similar length in succession. (2 = bicolon, 3 = tricolon, 4 = tetracolon, 5 = pentacolon. Ex. “I’m nice, I’m kind, I’m smart.”

Diacope

Consistent repetition of word(s)— can be back to back or a few words in between. Ex. “Oh no, no, no!”

Syllogism

A logical conclusion of ideas is drawn from two previous statements. Ex. “Teachers need a degree in education. Ms. Allen is a teacher. Ms. Allen has a degree in education.”

Rhetorical Climax

Purposely ordering words, phrases, or sentences so that the most important comes last. Ex. “He risked his job, his fortune, and his life.”