Rhetorical Analysis Vocabulary List 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering 22 key terms from the Rhetorical Analysis lecture notes.

Connotation

The secondary, implied, or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal sense.

The word “weasel” suggests negativity—a tendency to lie or cheat or steal.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Diction

A writer’s or speaker’s deliberate choice of words; synonymous with style.

Syntax

The arrangement and grammatical order of words in a sentence. It might be broken for effect.

tone

The author’s attitude toward the subject, expressed through stylistic choices.

When describing it, we use adjectives: angry, sarcastic, solemn, playful, timid, etc.

Explicit

Stated clearly and directly, leaving no room for doubt.

Implicit

Suggested or hinted at, not stated outright.

Infer

To draw a conclusion based on evidence rather than direct statement.

Parallelism

Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses. “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”

Periodic Sentence

A sentence that postpones the main clause until the end to build suspense.

( the writer builds suspense by beginning with subordinate elements and postponing the main clause. “His composure shaken, his confidence broken, his limbs twitching, his walrus angry, he wondered if he would ever ask out another girl.” )

Cumulative Sentence

A sentence that adds subordinate elements at the end to spotlight them.

( “He learned to fix cars from Alice McMahon, an elderly spinster who used to party with Volvo mechanics.”)

Balanced Sentence

A sentence with two parallel structures set against each other, like equal weights.

( “If a liberated society will not help the weak, a liberated society cannot save the strong.”  )

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas expressed within a balanced sentence (e.g., "Many are called, but few are chosen"). The words/ideas must be clear opposites (hot/cold, life/death…)

Inversion

Reversal of normal word order for emphasis (e.g., "Smart are you" or “Never should you forget who your boss is.”).

Analogy / Analogous

A comparison of similar things, using the familiar to explain the unfamiliar.

Qualification (in argument or logic)

A restriction or limitation placed on a claim to make it more precise.

(“Subject A’s premise would work very well under a totalitarian government, but in a democratic government, the premise seems unlikely to succeed.” )

Logical Fallacies

Flawed reasoning, often exploiting emotions, that weakens an argument.

Incorrect reasoning (often intentional) in argument, often exploiting emotional triggers in the anticipated audience.

EX. Argument: Cutting people is a crime.

Surgeons cut people. Therefore, surgeons are criminals.

Metaphor

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." Or, a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, esp. something abstract

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as."

Apostrophe

A direct, often dramatic address to someone absent or an inanimate entity.

“Oh, Charles Dickens, where are you now?”

Allusion

An indirect reference to an external work, event, or figure.

“Don't be a scrooge.” (Notice there's no mention of Charles Dickens or the title, A Christmas Carol? It is an indirect reference.)

Hyperbole

Intentional and obvious exaggeration used for rhetorical effect. ex. I could eat a horse; I’m dying of laughter; I’ve told you a million times…