Studied by 109 people
Ab Ovo
The Truest beginning of events of a chronological nature when compared to in medias res
Ad hominem
A faulty aren't based on the failings of an adversary rather than one the merits of the case; a local fallacy that involves a personal attack.
Allegory
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning In some allegories, for example an author may intend the characters to personify an abstraction like hope or freedom. The allegorical meaning usually deals with moral truth or generalization about human existence.
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds, especially initial constant sounds in two or more neighboring words
Allusion
A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art.
Ambiguity
The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage
Amplification
Involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over. In other words it allows you to call attention to, emphasize, and expand a word or idea to make sure the reader realizes it's importance or centrality in the discussion
Analogy
A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them
Anadiplosis
The rhetorical reporting of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a words that ends one clause at the beginning of the next
Anaphora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or lines
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun
Antistrophe (Also called epistrophe)
Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses
Antithesis
Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balances or parallel construction
Aphorism
A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principles (If the authorship is unknown the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb)
Aposiopesis
A form of ellipse by which a speaker comes to an abrupt halt, seemingly overcome by passion
Apostrophe
A figure of speech that directly addresses and absent or imaginary person or personified abstraction such as liberty or love. It is an address to someone something cannot answer
Aporia
Expression of doubt (often feigned) by which a speaker appears uncertain as to what he should think say or do.
Archaism
USe of an older or obsolete form
Assonance
Repetition of the same vowel sound in words close to each other.
Asyndeton
Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words
Atmosphere
The emotional nod created by the entirety of literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described. Even such elements as a description of the weather can contribute to the atmosphere foreshadows events. Perhaps it can create a mood
Bandwagon
A logical fallacy asked on the assumption that the opinion of the majority is always valid: everyone believes it, so you should too
Caricature
A verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a person’s distinctive physical features or other characteristics
Catachresis
The misuse or strained use of words, as in a mixed metaphor, occurring either in error or for rhetorical effect.
Chiasmus
Also called “reverse parallelism:, since the second part of grammatical construction is balanced or paralleled by the first part, only in reverse order. instead of an A,B structure paralleled by another A,B structure the A,B structure will be followed by B,A.
Circular Argumentation
An argument that commits the logical fallacy of assuming what it is attempting to prove. AKA begging the question
Clause
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent or subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element should also become away of making effective use of subordinate in your own writing.
Colloquial/Colloquialism
The use of slang or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, colloquialisms give aw work a conversation, familiar tone. Colloquial expressions in writing include local or regional dialects.
Commoratio
The repetition of a point made several times using different words
Complementizer
A word (such as that or if) used to introduce a dependent clause
Compounding
In linguistics, the combining of two or more words to create a new word. Example sunglasses
Conceit
A fanciful expression, usually in the form of extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.
Concession
an admission in an argument that the opposing side has points; to grant, allow or tried to a point
Conjunction
the part of speech, that serves to connect words, phrases, or clauses
connotation
The non-literal associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. Connotations may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes.
declarative sentence
A sentence in the form of a statement (in contrast to an interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory sentence)
Deduction
The method of reasoning from the general to the specific. (Contrast with induction)
denotation
The strict or literal dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color
Diacope
Figure of repetition in the same word or phrases occurs on either side of an interviewing word or phrase; word/phrase x, …, word/phrase x
Diction
Related to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.
Didactic
From the Greek, didactic literally means “teaching” Didactic words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles
Dirimens Copulatio
Mentioning a balancing or opposing fact to prevent the argument from being one sided or unqualified
Distinction
An explicit reference to a particular meaning or to the various meanings of a word, order to remove or prevent ambiguity
Doxa
In classical rhetoric , the domain of opinion, belief, or probably knowledge-in contrast to episteme, the domain of certainty of true knowledge
Ellipsis
A set of three periods indicating in omission of a word or phrase
Enallage
Intention missing grammar to characterize a speaker or create a memorable phrase
Encomium
A tribute or eulogy in prose or verse glorifying people, events, objects or ideas.
Enumeration
Figure of amplification in which a subject is divided into constituent parts or details and may include a listing of causes, effects, problems, solutions, conditions, and consequences; the listing or detailing of the parts of something
Either/or fallacy
An error in logic when one gives only two choices and one choice is not palatable
Epigraph
The use of a quote at the beginning of a piece of rhetoric that hints at its themes
Epimone
Frequent repetition of a phrase or question, dwelling on a point.
Episteme
In classic rhetoric the domain of true knowledge
Epizeuxis
A rhetorical term fr repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis, usually with no words in between “I undid the lanter cautiously-oh, so cautiously, cautiously
Ethos
A rhetorical appeal to an audience based on the speaker/writer’s credibility
Euphemism
From the Greek for”good speech,'“ euphemisms are more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concept
Expletive
Figure of emphasis in which a single words or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of the expletive
Extended Metaphor
A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout work
False Authority
A fallacy in which the rhetor attempts to persuade his or her audience by using well-respected famous names of people rather than the evidence or proof.
FIgurative Language
Writing or speech that is not intended to carry literal meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid
Figure of Speech
A device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Figures of speech include apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche , and understaement
Fragment
Incomplete sentence; a complete sentence must have an independent clause as its base
Generic Conventions
This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example the differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.
Genre
The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.
Gerund
A noun formed by a verb. The verb functioning as a noun always ends with -ing.
Guilt by association
A fallacy where one attempts to discredit an idea or concept based upon favored people or groups associated with it.
HAsty Generalization
A fallacy in which conclusin is draw from insufficient evidence
Homily
This term literally means “sermin” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice
Hyperbole
A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.
Hypophora
FIgure of reasoning in which one more more questions is/are asked and then answered often at length by oen and the same speaker; raising and responding to one’s own question(s).
Illocutionary force
The speaker’s intention when he or she delivers an utterance “When I say “how are you?’ to a co-worker, I really mean hello.”
Imagery
The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstraction.
Imperative Sentence
type of sentence that gives advice or instructions or that expressed request or command
induction
A method of reasoning that moves from specific instances to a general conclusion
Inference/infer
To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.
Infinitive Phrase
Starts with tan infinitive [to + simply form of the verb] It will include objects and/or modifiers
Interrogative sentence
A type of sentence that asks a question
Invective
an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong abusive language
Irony
Contrast between what is explicitly states and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true.
Cosmic Irony (irony of fate)
irony that goes beyond being unfair and is morally tragic; this severe irony may cause one to question life or see the world pessimistically
Dramatic Irony
When facts or events are unknown to a charter in a play or piece of fiction but is know to the reader, audience, or charters in the work
Situational Irony
When events turn out the opposite of what was expected; when what the characters and reader think ought to happen does not happen
Socratic IRony
When one feigns ignorance-asking question to which he/she may already know the answers (normally used to stimulate critical thinking or illuminate ideas).
VErbal Irony
When the words literally states the opposite of the writers(or speakers) meaning
Juxtaposition
the “side by side: comparison of two or more objects or ideas for the purpose of highlighting similarities or differences
Kenning
A metaphoric compound word or phrase used a synonym for a common noun
Litote
A form of understatement that involves making a n affirmative point by denying its opposite. Opposite of hyperbole
Logos
Rhetorical appeals based on logic or reasoning
Loose sentence/ non-periodic sentence
A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses.
Metabasis
Consists of a brief statement of what had been said and what will follow. It might be called a linking, running, or transitional summary.
Metaphor
A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity
Metonymy
A term from the Greek meaning “changed labe;” or “substitute name” a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it
“The white house declared” rather than “the president declared”
Mood
The prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of work. Setting, tone, and events can effect the mood.
Narrative
The telling of a story or an account of event or series of events
Nonce word
A word coined or used for a special occasion
onomatopoeia
A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words
OXymoron
A figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradicting terms to suggest a paradox
Jumbo shrimp
Paradox
A statement that appears to be self contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or valididty
PArallelism
Refers to the grammatical or rhetorical forming of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity
Parody
A work that closely imitated the style of content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule
PAthos
An emotional appeal used in rhetoric
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