Rhetorical device vocabulary
5.0(1)
Studied by 25 people
Learn
Practice Test
Spaced Repetition
Match
FlashcardsCard Sorting
1/38
Earn XP
Description and Tags
Study Analytics
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
|---|
No study sessions yet.
39 Terms
1
New cards
Hyperbole
Def: Exaggerating some part of the statement in order to give it emphasis or focus
Usage: Makes a point strongly. Makes the reader snap to attention and focus. Demonstrates the difference between two things. Caution: It is overused and can weaken writing if it’s not used carefully. Do not use to avoid using actual facts/figures.
Usage: Makes a point strongly. Makes the reader snap to attention and focus. Demonstrates the difference between two things. Caution: It is overused and can weaken writing if it’s not used carefully. Do not use to avoid using actual facts/figures.
2
New cards
Understatement
Def: A rhetorical form in which the force of a descriptive statement is less than what now would normally expect.
Usage: Demonstrates the power of an event of ideas - the concept is so self-explanatory, you can add nothing. Repeated use can calm the reader - emphasis comes when you add/reveal - drive the point home. Can be used for humorous effect. Caution: oversimplifying is bad, so this can be good!
Usage: Demonstrates the power of an event of ideas - the concept is so self-explanatory, you can add nothing. Repeated use can calm the reader - emphasis comes when you add/reveal - drive the point home. Can be used for humorous effect. Caution: oversimplifying is bad, so this can be good!
3
New cards
Litotes
Def: Emphasizes its point by using a word opposite the condition
Usage: Can be combined with understatement for emphasis (makes the writer not seem arrogant). Allows the reader to say what isn't true without committing as strongly to what is true.
Usage: Can be combined with understatement for emphasis (makes the writer not seem arrogant). Allows the reader to say what isn't true without committing as strongly to what is true.
4
New cards
Antithesis
Def: Makes use of a contrast in language to bring out a contrast in ideas.
Usage: Since human's love organization and categories, this can be helpful. it can be built by contrasting different parts of a statement. Sentence structure can be identical but uses opposing words. Entire clauses can be changed to contrast one another. Whole sentences can oppose one another in a paragraph. using alliteration when using this strategy can be effective. This form can point out fine distinctions of the topic/issue.
Usage: Since human's love organization and categories, this can be helpful. it can be built by contrasting different parts of a statement. Sentence structure can be identical but uses opposing words. Entire clauses can be changed to contrast one another. Whole sentences can oppose one another in a paragraph. using alliteration when using this strategy can be effective. This form can point out fine distinctions of the topic/issue.
5
New cards
Hypophora
Def: Asking a question, then proceeding to answer it
Usage: Can be used to start a paragraph. Used to anticipate questions or concerns you think your reader may raise. Helps your readers with info they don't know without forcing it on them. Can bring up numbered points. Can be implied
Usage: Can be used to start a paragraph. Used to anticipate questions or concerns you think your reader may raise. Helps your readers with info they don't know without forcing it on them. Can bring up numbered points. Can be implied
6
New cards
Rhetorical question
Def: Asking a question to which the answer is implied.
Usage: You must have a purpose for using this - not just laziness. Makes the reader pause for thought. Drives your point home with gusto. Needs a simple yes or no or one thought answer. Not ambiguous. Caution: best reserved for only crucial points. Overuse weakens writing.
Usage: You must have a purpose for using this - not just laziness. Makes the reader pause for thought. Drives your point home with gusto. Needs a simple yes or no or one thought answer. Not ambiguous. Caution: best reserved for only crucial points. Overuse weakens writing.
7
New cards
Procatalepsis
Def: Directly addresses/deals with objections
Usage: Tackle likely, common, or troubling objections head on. Can be used if you don't have an answer to the objection - honest and humble. Come up with own arguments to bolster your point. Have a type of person who objects (not a straw man). Caution: too many objections and maybe your point isn't worth arguing.
Usage: Tackle likely, common, or troubling objections head on. Can be used if you don't have an answer to the objection - honest and humble. Come up with own arguments to bolster your point. Have a type of person who objects (not a straw man). Caution: too many objections and maybe your point isn't worth arguing.
8
New cards
Distinction
Def: Form in which the writer elaborates on the definition of a word to make sure there is no misunderstanding
Usage: Tells the reader exactly what you mean. Can be used to handle hotly debated words. Can be used with the phrases, "Which is to say" or "by which I mean". The material you add using this device can be put in parenthesis.
Usage: Tells the reader exactly what you mean. Can be used to handle hotly debated words. Can be used with the phrases, "Which is to say" or "by which I mean". The material you add using this device can be put in parenthesis.
9
New cards
Simile
Def: A device in which the writer compares two things using the words “like” or “as”, pointing out likenesses between the two things being compared
Usage: This device conjures up strong imagery, as opposed to conveying strong emotional or psychological truth of the subject being compared.
Usage: This device conjures up strong imagery, as opposed to conveying strong emotional or psychological truth of the subject being compared.
10
New cards
Metaphor
Def: A comparison where in the writer speaks as one thing as if it were the other, using a “to be” verb, usually
Usage: Speaks poetically, but shouldn't be viewed only as a stylistic device. It can help your reader see something as you want them to see it - to convey not just the literal truth of a thing, but the emotional or psychological truth of it as well.
Usage: Speaks poetically, but shouldn't be viewed only as a stylistic device. It can help your reader see something as you want them to see it - to convey not just the literal truth of a thing, but the emotional or psychological truth of it as well.
11
New cards
Analogy
Def: This device makes use of something already well known to explain something that is not well known
Usage: The most useful form of this is when a simple argument is substituted for a more complex argument. This may also be used to further elaborate on a point. Different from simile and metaphor because it is more persuasive as opposed to image creating.
Usage: The most useful form of this is when a simple argument is substituted for a more complex argument. This may also be used to further elaborate on a point. Different from simile and metaphor because it is more persuasive as opposed to image creating.
12
New cards
Allusion
Def: A reference to a fairly well-known event, place, or person
Usage: When using these, you should keep your target audience in mind. This is used as a short cut to help your reader understand what you are talking about. You want to make sure your pop-culture references do not tie you to a particular era. You need to make sure your reader is familiar with your reference.
Usage: When using these, you should keep your target audience in mind. This is used as a short cut to help your reader understand what you are talking about. You want to make sure your pop-culture references do not tie you to a particular era. You need to make sure your reader is familiar with your reference.
13
New cards
Eponym
Def: A device which makes a reference to a specific person to link his/her attributes with someone else
Usage: Should be used sparingly, but can transform a description of a mundane person to something with more of a punch.
Usage: Should be used sparingly, but can transform a description of a mundane person to something with more of a punch.
14
New cards
Sententia
Def: A fancy term for a quotation, maxim, or wise saying… normally not attributed to a specific person, although it can be (less common)
Usage: This device is best used to sum up what you've been talking about in the preceding paragraph. It is most effective when it is short.
Usage: This device is best used to sum up what you've been talking about in the preceding paragraph. It is most effective when it is short.
15
New cards
Exemplum
Def: Simply provides the reader with an example to illustrate a point
Usage: Some of the strongest of these are drawn from the real world. Make sure you have correct facts, though. A good one of these should support your point in a way that seems natural.
Usage: Some of the strongest of these are drawn from the real world. Make sure you have correct facts, though. A good one of these should support your point in a way that seems natural.
16
New cards
Climax
Def: The culminating point in a sequence of events
Usage: This should be very distinctive and clear to your reader. If it is somewhat obscured, it suggests that the writer did not organize his/her ideas well
Usage: This should be very distinctive and clear to your reader. If it is somewhat obscured, it suggests that the writer did not organize his/her ideas well
17
New cards
Parallelism
Def: This device uses the same general structure in multiple parts of a sentence or for multiple sentences in order to link them
Usage: This device gives your writing unity and a sense of overall cohesion, keeping it balanced and intentional throughout.
Usage: This device gives your writing unity and a sense of overall cohesion, keeping it balanced and intentional throughout.
18
New cards
Chiasmus
Def: A special form of parallelism that flips the original form around
Usage: This device is stylistically more ornate than standard parallelism and involves an inversion of what is expected.
Usage: This device is stylistically more ornate than standard parallelism and involves an inversion of what is expected.
19
New cards
Anadiplosis
Def: A form of repetition that takes the last word of a sentence or a phrase and repeats it near the beginning of the next sentence or phrase
Usage: This device, like conduplication, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.
Usage: This device, like conduplication, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.
20
New cards
Conduplication
Def: This device takes an important word from anywhere and repeats it at the beginning of the next sentence or phrase
Usage: This device, like anadiplosis, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.
Usage: This device, like anadiplosis, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.
21
New cards
Metabasis
Def: A device used to sum up a body of work that has come before so as to allow movement to a new point
Usage: This organizational device usually takes the form of a sentence or series of sentences, summing up key points. It is a sign of transition.
Usage: This organizational device usually takes the form of a sentence or series of sentences, summing up key points. It is a sign of transition.
22
New cards
Parenthesis
Def: A device used to insert an aside or additional information into the main flow of your writing
Usage: Use commas in formal and academic writing, dashes to jolt the reader, and for less formal writing. This device is used to place a bit of information into the text to help your reader better understand.
Usage: Use commas in formal and academic writing, dashes to jolt the reader, and for less formal writing. This device is used to place a bit of information into the text to help your reader better understand.
23
New cards
Apostrophe
Def: A rhetorical device in which the writer breaks out of the flow of writing to directly address a person or personified object
Usage: This device should not be confused with the punctuation mark of the same name. It is a forceful emotional device, and you will likely find this device in informal contexts like creative writing and persuasive essays that lean heavily on emotional strength.
Usage: This device should not be confused with the punctuation mark of the same name. It is a forceful emotional device, and you will likely find this device in informal contexts like creative writing and persuasive essays that lean heavily on emotional strength.
24
New cards
enumeration
Def: Refers to the act of supplying a list of details about something
Usage: - may be effectively combined with hypophora as an introduction
\-a good way to lend some force to a concept while also giving you a functional way to explain it in greater depth
Usage: - may be effectively combined with hypophora as an introduction
\-a good way to lend some force to a concept while also giving you a functional way to explain it in greater depth
25
New cards
Antanagoge
Def: A way of ordering points to downplay negative points so that the reader feels less strongly about them
Usage: - phrase these statements in a way that the reader can see the benefits outweigh the cost of the subject you are discussing
\-juxtapose/arrange the positive and negative ideas in a way that your point outweighs the arguments for it
Usage: - phrase these statements in a way that the reader can see the benefits outweigh the cost of the subject you are discussing
\-juxtapose/arrange the positive and negative ideas in a way that your point outweighs the arguments for it
26
New cards
Epithet
Def: A common stylistic device involving attaching a descriptive adjective to a noun to bring a scene to life or to evoke a particular idea or emotion
Usage: -can be beautiful and add a great deal to your writing
caution: cliches, over use of them in general and make sure they make sense and are logical
Usage: -can be beautiful and add a great deal to your writing
caution: cliches, over use of them in general and make sure they make sense and are logical
27
New cards
Asyndeton
Def: The leaving out of conjunction between items in a list or between clauses
Usage: -when there are only two items, the second one can clarify the first
\-can indicate that the list was spontaneous and not quite finished
Usage: -when there are only two items, the second one can clarify the first
\-can indicate that the list was spontaneous and not quite finished
28
New cards
polysyndeton
Def: The putting of a conjunction between every item in a list or between multiple clauses
Usage: -the effect of the use of this is increasing urgency and power with almost a hypnotic rhythm forming quite quickly
Usage: -the effect of the use of this is increasing urgency and power with almost a hypnotic rhythm forming quite quickly
29
New cards
Zeugma
Def: A device in which unexpected items in a sentence are linked by a shared word
Usage: -most common method of this is to eliminate the repetition of a verb
\-also used to postpone introducing the verb until the end, or near the end of the sentence
\-a great way to force strong connections between different parts of your sentence
Usage: -most common method of this is to eliminate the repetition of a verb
\-also used to postpone introducing the verb until the end, or near the end of the sentence
\-a great way to force strong connections between different parts of your sentence
30
New cards
Synechdoche
Def: Figure of speech in which the writer refers to part of something to represent the whole
Usage: -versatile, having a lot if stylistic flair, but when you use them, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use a code or symbol for a different term
\-the trick is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say
Usage: -versatile, having a lot if stylistic flair, but when you use them, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use a code or symbol for a different term
\-the trick is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say
31
New cards
Metonymy
Def: Figure of speech in which the writer refers to something closely related to the actual object
Usage: -versatile, having a lot if stylistic flair, but when you use them, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use a code or symbol for a different term
\-the trick is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say
Usage: -versatile, having a lot if stylistic flair, but when you use them, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use a code or symbol for a different term
\-the trick is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say
32
New cards
Hyperbaton
Def: A device in which you arrange the words in your sentence in an unexpected order
Usage: -a bit tricky because there is no good way to explain why some uses seem to work, while others sound awful
\-best advice is to try them out and err on the side of caution
\- don’t sound like yoda!
Usage: -a bit tricky because there is no good way to explain why some uses seem to work, while others sound awful
\-best advice is to try them out and err on the side of caution
\- don’t sound like yoda!
33
New cards
Aporia
Def: A device a writer will use to express doubt about an idea
Usage: -common in political discourse
\-may be used to seem to address a point, while actually dismissing it
\-rather than ignore the criticism or common questions, which can weaken an argument, a writer may use this device to acknowledge the criticism, but them move on without any discussion of it
Usage: -common in political discourse
\-may be used to seem to address a point, while actually dismissing it
\-rather than ignore the criticism or common questions, which can weaken an argument, a writer may use this device to acknowledge the criticism, but them move on without any discussion of it
34
New cards
Anaphora
Def: A device in which the writer repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-commonly used to build a sense of climax
\-easy to recognize
\
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-commonly used to build a sense of climax
\-easy to recognize
\
35
New cards
Epistrophe
Def: A device in which the same word of phrase is repeated at the end of multiple clauses or sentences
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-the phrase becomes much like a puncuation mark, which the reader can expect to find each time
\-easy to recognize
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-the phrase becomes much like a puncuation mark, which the reader can expect to find each time
\-easy to recognize
36
New cards
Symploce
Def: A device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences AND the same word is repeated at the end of multiple clauses or sentences.
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-the total parallelism of this creates a feeling of completion and emphasis
Usage: -when an author uses this device, he is planting flags of concepts he wants the reader to especially note
\-the total parallelism of this creates a feeling of completion and emphasis
37
New cards
Amplification
Def: In this device, writers repeat something they’ve just said, while adding more detail and information to the original description
Usage: -main point is to focus the reader's attention on an idea he might otherwise miss
\-purpose is not to inform, but to add emphasis
Usage: -main point is to focus the reader's attention on an idea he might otherwise miss
\-purpose is not to inform, but to add emphasis
38
New cards
Personification
Def: The act of giving human attributes to something that is non-human
Usage: -best examples of this device are immediately understood without resorting to familiar cliches
Usage: -best examples of this device are immediately understood without resorting to familiar cliches
39
New cards
Parataxis
Def: This device involves listing a series of clauses with no conjunctions
Usage: -use of this device implies a sense of immediacy, indication multiple things happening at once
\-often used to set a scene -may also imply a series of events or moods to the reader without spelling them out
Usage: -use of this device implies a sense of immediacy, indication multiple things happening at once
\-often used to set a scene -may also imply a series of events or moods to the reader without spelling them out
Note 
Flashcards (67)