Rhetorical Analysis Vocab List 1

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key rhetorical analysis terms from the provided notes.

Connotation is the secondary, implied, or suggested meaning of a word. The word 'weasel' suggests __.

negativity—a tendency to lie or cheat or steal

Denotation is the actual, literal meaning of a word. Weasel simply means __.

a slender, carnivorous mammal

Diction is (word choice) a writer or speaker’s choice of words. Choosing the words 'lied about' rather than '__' is a choice in diction.

mistakenly stated

Syntax is the grammatical order in which words are placed. It might be __ for effect.

broken

Tone is the attitude the writer takes towards her subject, or in her writing. When describing tone, we use adjectives: __, sarcastic, solemn, playful, timid, etc.

angry

Explicit: Directly stated. Leaving no question about the meaning. Explicit means information that is __ stated.

directly

Implicit: implied, but not directly stated. Hinted at. Implicit means __.

implied

Infer: To deduce or conclude information based on facts or evidence—rather than being __ told.

explicitly

Parallelism: similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or __.

clauses

Periodic sentence or structure: One in which the writer builds suspense by beginning with subordinate elements and __ the main clause.

postponing

Cumulative sentence or structure: subordinate elements come at the end to __ to them.

call attention

Balanced sentence: two parallel elements are set off against each other like equal weights on a __.

scale

Antithesis: Opposition or contrast of words or ideas within a balanced sentence.

balanced

Inversion: The reversal of normal, grammatical word order—often for __.

emphasis

Analogy/analogous: a comparison of similar things—usually using something familiar to explain something __.

unfamiliar

Qualification (in argument or logic): A restriction in meaning or application. 'Subject A’s premise would work very well under a totalitarian government, but in a democratic government, the premise seems __ to succeed.'

unlikely

Logical Fallacies: __ reasoning (often intentional) in argument.

incorrect

Metaphor: comparison not using like or as. Or, a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, esp. something __.

abstract

Simile: comparison using __.

like or as

Apostrophe: A dramatic address to someone not present.

not

Allusion: an indirect reference to something outside the text—usually another work of art. 'Don't be a __.'

Scrooge

Hyperbole: Obvious and intentional exaggeration—for rhetoric __.

exaggeration