English rhetorics Final Season

Informal

marked by contractions and slang; the language of everyday speech; often conversational in tone

Neutral

characterized by words that are free from emotional undertones; sometimes uses contractions but not usually slang

Formal

free from slang and contractions; often academic or dignified in tone; used for serious matters, scholarly publications, and legal documents

Euphonious

pleasant sounding

Cacophonous

harsh sounding

Pedestrian

common language; everyday people know it

Pedantic

language inflated to display importance; sometimes tedious and unnecessarily flowery

Concrete

language related to the five senses; able to be touched, seen, heard, etc.

Abstract

figurative language; language that is interpretive

Hyperbolic

language that is exaggerated for effect

Understated

language used to make something seem less serious or important than it really is

Objective

factual, backed by evidence; not biased

Subjective

based on one’s opinion; up for interpretation; language based on emotion or bias

Denotative

language with literal or dictionary-definition meaning

Connotative

language that carries implied or emotional meaning

Unifying

meant to bring people together; make the audience feel a part of something

Divisive

meant to split people apart; cause conflict

Elevated

formal language

Colloquial

informal; conversational

Academic

scholarly

Ambiguous

open to more than one meaning or interpretation; unclear

Banal

devoid of freshness or originality

Bombastic

arrogant; dramatic

Concise

short; to the point

Straightforward

short; to the point

Convoluted

difficult to follow

Detached

removed; devoid of emotion

Didactic

intended to teach

Effusive

excessive in detail

Emotive

expressive of emotion

Esoteric

understood by a chosen few

Loaded

words that carry heavy emotional associations

Ornate

rich in detail or description

Sarcastic

words that mean the opposite of what is really meant

Sentimental

prompts feelings of tenderness or nostalgia

Sharp

harsh

Verbose

talkative; wordy

Vulgar

coarse; inappropriate

Amiable

friendly

Ardent

passionate; intense feelings or devotion to a subject

Appreciative

showing gratitude

Authoritarian

enforcing obedience

Bantering

playful conversation

Celebratory

expressing joy or praise

Compassionate

showing concern or care for others or a subject

Earnest

done with serious intention

Encouraging

offering support; building confidence

Hopeful

showing optimism

Impassioned

filled with great emotion

Introspective

exploring one’s own experiences in a reflective manner

Jovial

characterized by great joy or humor

Laudatory

expressing praise

Lighthearted

carefree; cheerful

Mirthful

arousing or provoking laughter

Penitent

expressing sorrow or regret; seeking forgiveness for wrongdoing

Reverent

showing a deep respect

Sanguine

cheerfully hopeful or confident

Sprightly

animated; lively; vivacious

Tranquil

peaceful; calm

Zealous

ardently devoted or diligent

Apologetic

expressing regret or acknowledgement of a failure or offense

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings about someone or something

Clinical

extremely objective; devoid of emotion

Concerned

showing care or worry

Confounded

confused; perplexed

Desperate

having an immediate need or desire

Urgent

requiring immediate attention

Didactic

intended to teach; can be positive or negative

Expectant

marked by anticipation

Forthright

frank; direct; outspoken

Impartial

not biased; fair

Informative

providing useful information

Matter-of-fact

straightforward; to the point

Nonchalant

coolly unconcerned

Nostalgic

a longing for the past

Pensive

thoughtful; sometimes marked by sadness

Reminiscent

calling to mind memories or something similar

Skeptical

marked by doubt; questioning

Speculative

theoretical or hypothetical

Subdued

quiet; controlled; inhibited

Acrimonious

angry and bitter

Antagonistic

showing hostility or opposition

Belligerent

aggressive or warlike

Biting

harsh; having a sarcastic tone

Brusque

abrupt or blunt in manner

Caustic

making harsh or destructive comments

Condescending

talking down to someone as if superior

Patronizing

talking down to someone as if superior

Curt

rudely brief or abrupt in speech

Condemnatory

expressing strong disapproval

Derisive

expressing ridicule or contempt

Elegiac

expressing sorrow or lamentation

Flippant

lacking in sincerity or seriousness

Grave

dismal; gloomy; feeling that a very bad outcome will take place

Indignant

expressing anger over an injustice or insult

Mocking

pretending to be serious; disingenuous

Obsequious

overly submissive or obedient

Recalcitrant

resisting authority or control; not obedient

Stern

strict or harsh

Timorous

fearful