Rolling Vocab

Up to Vocab List #6

bandwagon effect

the tendency to make decisions on the basis of the majority opinion

clustering illusion

the tendency to perceive patterns where no pattern exists

confirmation bias

the tendency to view information in a way that validates our existing opinions and beliefs

framing bias

when an individual presents two options that are described in different terms

gambler's fallacy

the tendency to believe that the results of a random event will affect the probability of future outcomes

halo effect

the tendency to attribute multiple desirable traits to an individual after being exposed to a person who has one positive quality

illusory superiority

the tendency to view oneself as superior to others

self-serving bias

the tendency to claim an undue amount of credit for a positive situation or an inadequate amount of blame for a negative condition

syllogism

a deductive argument composed of two premises (major and minor) and a conclusion in which the conclusion is a logical consequence of the premises

wishful thinking

the tendency to form conclusions based on idealized imagined outcomes rather than objectively examining the evidence at hand

contemplative

studying, thinking, reflecting on an issue

forthright

directly frank without hesitation

morose

gloomy, sullen, surly, despondent

reverent

treating a subject with honor and respect

pragmatic

relating to matters of fact or practical affairs; practical as opposed to idealistic

apathetic

indifferent due to lack of energy or concern

choleric

easily angered, hot-tempered

indignant

marked by anger aroused by injustice

patronizing

air of condescension

sardonic

scornful, mocking, and bitterly sarcastic

anaphora

a figure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial word(s) over successive phrases or clauses.

asyndeton

a figure of omission in which normally occurring conjunctions (FANBOYS [for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so]) are intentionally omitted in successive phrases, or clauses; a string of words not separated by normally occurring conjunctions

epistrophe

a figure of repetition that occurs when the last word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is repeated one or more times at the end of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases.

syntax

the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax is similar to diction, but you can differentiate them by thinking of syntax as groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.

zeugma

a figure of speech in which two or more parts of a sentence are joined with a single common verb or noun.

persona

Greek for "the mask"

antimetabole

a figure of emphasis in which the words in one phrase or clause are replicated, exactly or closely, in reverse grammatical order in the next phrase or clause; an inverted order of repeated words in adjacent phrases or clauses (A-B, B-A).

colloquial/colloquialism

the use of slang or informalities in speech or writing.

exigence

The aspects of the rhetorical situation, including its occasion, that prompted the writer or speaker to create the text.

parody

a work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

ambiguity

the multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

antithesis

a figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences.

concession

An acknowledgment that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.

polemic

Greek for "hostile." An aggressive argument that tries to establish the superiority of one opinion over all others.

pedantic

an adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish