FULL REHTORICAL TERMS

ad hominem

Logical fallacy of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker.

ad populum

A fallacy that appeals to the popularity of something as a reason for accepting it.

Alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds usually in a single line.

Allusion

A brief reference to a person, event or place, real or fictitious or to a work of art.

Analogy

A comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or phrases.

Concession

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

Counter Argument

An opposing argument to the one a writer is putting forward.

Anecdote

A brief (specific) story used to illustrate a point or claim.

Closed Thesis

A statement of the main idea of the argument that previews the major points the writer intends to make.

Connotation

Meanings or associations that readers have with a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Ethos

Greek for character; an appeal to credibility and trustworthiness.

Pathos

An appeal to the audience's emotions, values, and desires.

Logos

An appeal to reason by using logical arguments backed by evidence.

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or to create a comic effect.

Understatement

Presenting something as less significant than it actually is, often for satiric effect.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities or differences.

Purpose

The goal the speaker wants to achieve.

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of multiple conjunctions between phrases or words.

Refutation

A denial of the validity of an opposing argument.

Persona

The face or character the speaker shows to their audience.

Bias

A prejudice or preconceived notion that prevents a neutral approach.

Syllogism

A logical structure using major and minor premises to reach a conclusion.

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions between phrases or words.

Archaic Diction

Old-fashioned or outdated choice of words.

Deduction

A logical process where a conclusion is reached from a general principle.

Equivocation

A fallacy that uses a term with multiple meanings to mislead.

Polemic

An aggressive argument establishing the superiority of one opinion over others.

Qualitative Evidence

Evidence supported by reason, tradition, or precedent.

Quantitative Evidence

Evidence that can be measured or represented in numbers.

Enthymeme

A syllogism with one of the premises implied.

Trope

Artful diction; a figure of speech such as metaphor or simile.

Syntax

The arrangement of words into phrases, clauses, and sentences.

Synecdoche

A figure of speech that uses a part to represent a whole.

Propaganda

The spread of ideas and information to further a cause, often misleading.

Satire

Use of irony or sarcasm to critique society or individuals.

Rhetorical Question

A question posed for effect, not intended for an answer.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

The fallacy of assuming causation from correlation based on sequence.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals an ironic truth.

Rhetoric

The art of persuading an audience.

Antithesis

Opposition or contrast of ideas or words in parallel construction.

Chiasmus

A figure of speech in which one phrase is inverted in the next phrase.

Colloquial Diction

Language that reflects casual, everyday speech.

Jargon

Specialized language specific to a particular field of study.

Vernacular

Language associated with a particular region.

Denotation

The literal definition of a word.

Epizeuxis

Repetition of a word or phrase in quick succession.

Euphemism

A kind or gentle way of expressing something potentially offensive.

Litotes

A form of verbal irony using understatement to affirm a point.

Oxymoron

A type of paradox made of two contradictory words.

Syllepsis

A figure of speech where a word applies to two others in different senses.