Rhetorical Terms

A direct comparison between two unlike things without using like or as

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things using like or as

Simile

Giving human characteristics to non-human things

Personification

Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis or effect

Hyperbole

An extended comparison that explains one thing by comparing it to something more familiar

Analogy

A combination of contradictory terms

Oxymoron

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth

Paradox

Deliberately presenting something as less significant than it actually is for rhetorical effect

Understatement

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in consecutive or nearby words

Alliteration

Words that imitate sounds they represent

Onomatopoeia

The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in close proximity

Consonance

The repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity

Assonance

An indirect reference to another work of literature, person, place, or event, usually well-known

Allusion

A brief, personal story used to illustrate a point or provide evidence

Anecdote

Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create mental pictures

Imagery

A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or direct

Euphemism

The implied or suggested meaning of a word beyond its literal definition

Connotation

Informal language or expressions used in everyday conversation

Colloquialism

The use of old-fashioned or outdated language and vocabulary

Archaic Diction

Specific, tangible language that appeals to the senses and creates clear images

Concrete Language

Language that refers to ideas, concepts, or qualities that cannot be directly observed

Abstract Language

A contrast between expectation and reality, or between what is said and what is meant

Irony

The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize and expose flaws in human behavior or society

Satire

The use of irony to mock or convey contempt, often through tone

Sarcasm

The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses

Antithesis

A question asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer

Rhetorical Question

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences

Anaphora

Using the same grammatical structure across phrases, clauses, or sentences for emphasis and rhythm

Parallel Structure

The deliberate reuse of words or phrases for emphasis or effect

Repetition

Placing two contrasting elements side by side to highlight their differences

Juxtaposition

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or vice versa

Synecdoche

Substituting the name of something with the name of something closely associated with it

Metonymy

The use of parentheses to insert additional information or commentary

Parenthesis

A word or phrase (often "there" or "it") that fills a grammatical position without adding meaning

Expletive

The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence

Asyndeton

The deliberate use of many conjunctions

Polysyndeton

An appeal to credibility, ethics, or the speaker's character and authority

Ethos

An appeal to logic, reason, and evidence

Logos

An appeal to emotions and feelings

Pathos

The author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, conveyed through word choice and style

Tone

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences

Syntax

The use of marks to clarify meaning and separate structural units in writing

Punctuation

Evidence based on qualities, characteristics, or descriptions rather than numerical data

Qualitative Evidence

Evidence based on numerical data, statistics, and measurable information

Quantitative data