Rhetorical terms quiz 2

Diacope (dy-AK-uh-pee)

The repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase:  word/phrase X, . . .word/phrase X.

Ex.  We will do it, I tell you; we will do it.

We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks (Psalm 75:1)

“I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate.  And I can picture us attacking that world, because they’d never expect it” – Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

Diction

Related to style, this refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness.   For the AP exam, you should be able to describe an author’s usr of this device  (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain) and understand the ways in which this can complement the author’s purpose.  [term], combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author’s style.

Didactic (dai-dak-tik)

From the Greek, [term] literally means “teaching.”  [Term] works have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles.

Enumeratio

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.

Ex.  I love her eyes, her hair, her nose, her cheeks, her lips.

“Who’s gonna turn down a Junior Mint?  It’s chocolate; it’s peppermint; it’s delicious.  .   . It’s very refreshing!” – Kramer (Seinfeld).

Expletive (ek-spli-tiv)

 Figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side of this device.  

Ex.  in fact, of course, to be sure, indeed, I suppose, I hope, you know, you see, clearly, in any event, in effect, certainly, remarkably.

Euphemism (yoo-fuh-miz-uhm)

From the Greek for “good speech,” these are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.  The term may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement.  

Ex.  Saying “earthly remains” rather than “corpse”

Exposition

 In essays, one of the four chief types of composition, the others being argumentation, description, and narration.  The purpose of this device is to explain something.  In drama, the exposition is the introductory material, which creates the tone, gives the setting, and introduces the characters and conflict.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout the work.

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. Includes apostrophe, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, synecdoche, and understatement.

Generic conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre.  These help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing.  On the AP language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer’s work from those dictated by convention.

Genre

 The major category into which a literary work fits.  The basic divisions of literature are prose, poetry, and drama.  Flexable meaning: within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called [term] themselves.  For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels and short stories) or nonfiction (essays, biographies, autobiographies, etc).  Poetry can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc.  Drama can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc.  ON the AP language exam, expect the majority of the passages to be from the following [term]:  autobiography, biography, diaries, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.

Homily (hom-uh-lee)

 This term literally means “sermon,” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

Hyperbole (hai-pur-buh-lee)

 A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.  These often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible.  Often, they produces irony.  It is used to provoke a response, to cast something in a strong light.

Ex.  “So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”  - Franklin D. Roosevelt

This stuff is used-motor oil compared to the coffee you make, my love.

Hypophora

Figure of reasoning in which one or more questions is/are asked and then answered, often at length, by one and the same speaker;  raising and responding to one’s own question(s).  A common usage is to ask the question at the beginning of a paragraph and then use the paragraph to answer it.  You can use this to raise questions which you think the reader obviously has on his/her mind and would like to see formulated and answered.

Ex.  “When the enemy struck on that June day of 1950, what did America do?  It did what it always has done in all its times of peril.  It appealed to the heroism of its youth.”  - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Imagery

The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions.  On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, or olfactory imagery.  On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing.  For example, a rose may present visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman’s cheeks and/or symbolizing some degree of perfection (It is the highest flower on the Great Chain of Being).  An author may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figure s of speech, especially metaphor and simile.  In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work.  ON the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of this imagery.

Inference/infer

To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.  When a multiple-choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice.  If an inference is implausible, it’s unlikely to be the correct answer.  Note that if the answer choice is directly stated, it is not inferred and is wrong.    You must be careful to note the connotation – negative or positive – of the choices.

Invective

an emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.  It is used to ridicule, chastise, or convey contempt.  

Ex.  “I cannot but conclude the bulk of your natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl up on the surface of the earth” – Jonathan Swift

Irony/ironic

 The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.  The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true.  In general, there are three major types of irony used in language;  (1)  In a verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer’s (or speaker’s) true meaning.  (2)  In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected.  What the characters and the readers think ought to happen.  (3)  In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction, but know to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work.  Irony is used for many reasons, but frequently, it’s used to create poignancy or humor.

Juxtaposition (juhk-stuh-puh-zish-uhn)

  When two words, phrases, images, ideas are placed close together or side by side for comparison or contrast.  It often calls attention to extremes.

Litotes (lai-toh-teez)

 From the Greek word “simple” or “plain.”  A figure of thought in which a point is affirmed by negating its opposite.  It is a special form of understatement, where the surface denial serves, through ironic contrast, to reinforce the underlying assertion.

Ex.  He’s no fool (which implies he is wise).

Not uncommon (which implies that the act is frequent)