RHETORICAL TERMS

Epistrophe

repetition of a word/phrase at the end of successive clauses/sentences (for emphasis and rhythm)

Ethos

appeal to credibility

Euphemism

figure of speech (to avoid difficult topics like death)

Euphony

Used to enhance “musicality” of text by using smooth, melodious, pleasant sounds

Evidence

Information and example that prove an argument

Examples

graphs, images, and situations that correlate prove a point

Exclamatory sentence

ends w !

explication

analyzing and developing an idea/principle in detail

Explicit

clearly stated and direct

Exposition

piece of text that provides background information like setting and characters

Extended metaphor

metaphor that continues over sentences paragraphs or pages

facts

proven true information

false casualty

incorrect concluding one thing is true because of another

false dilemma

presents only2 options when there are more

figurative language

uses methods ro create vivid imagery and meaning (simile, metaphor, etc.)

figures of speech

words are used non-literally to make a more persuasive and vivid image

foreshadowing

referencing something that will come later in the story

formal diction

professional language (not slang)

freight train sentences

lengthy continuous sentence normally with conjunctions like and

general to particular

deductive reasoning

Genre

category of writing (action, romance, etc.)

Gerund

word ending in ing that seems like a verb but functions as a noun (swimming is good for…)

Humor

Joking and lighthearted content used to brighten a piece and entertain the audience

hyperbole

extreme exaggeration

Idioms

phrase that’s meaning isn’t literal (its raining cats and dogs)

coordinating conjunctions

word that joins words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank

(and, but)

cumulative sentence

begins w an independent clause and is followed by a clause that adds detail

(shows proof)

damning with faint praise

criticize something with an obviously weak and disapproving compliment

(back-handed compliment)

dash

used to indicate break in thought (punctuation)

declarative sentence

makes a statement and ends w a period

deduction

logical conclusion based on evidence (general to specific)

defend

protest and argue in favor of

definiton

meaning of a word/phrase

denotation

primary and literal meaning of a word

dependent clause

has a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a complete thought

description

spoken or written representation of something (what does it look like, sound like)

determiner

modifies a noun (The, my, some)

diction

choice of words in writing

didactic

intended to teach something

digression

temporary departure from main subject of piece (sidebar)

dilemma

problem

direct object

thing receiving verb/action

discourse

written/spoken debate or communication

diversion

distracts from main point (directs readers attention)

economy

balance between clarity and simplicity of a piece (choosing your words wisely)

either/or fallacy

logical error when only two options are shown when there are many

elipses

shows words have been emitted from a quote and indicates a pause (punctuation)

pathos

appeal to emotions

epanalepsis

word/phrase is repeated at beginning and end of a sentence or clause

chiasmus

grammar constructions or concepts are repeated in reverse order (Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country)

chronological order

in order of when events occurred

circular logic

A is true because of B and B is true because of A (begging the question)

classification

organizes a group into smaller categories (shared characteristics)

clause

group of words containing a subject and verb

coherence

how well something is put together

colloquial diction

use of informal everyday language

colon

phrases/clauses are used together to create a string arguement (list)

comic relief

inserts humor to aid the mood (lighten)

comma

guide readers pacing and signals separate ideas

comparison

draws parallels between two things

complement

necessary to complete meaning of subject

complex sentence

independent clauses with main point and dependent clauses with supporting

compound sentence

create balance and show relationship between two things (two or more

independent clauses)

conceit

elaborate metaphor for two dissimilar things (life is like a box of chocolates)

concession

yielding to opponents point to strengthen your own argument

conclusion

final section that summarizes main points of a piece

concrete diction

appeal to readers senses to make a concrete and logical image

conjunction

connecting ideas to create a special effect like building tone (fanboys)

connotation

emotional associations with a word/phrase

consonance

repeates consanant sounds with nearby words (mike likes his new bike)

contrast

highlights differences between two things

conundrum

confusing or difficult problem/question

convoluted sentence

excessively complicated and difficult to understand/follow

antithesis

Contrast or opposition between two things

antecedent

Word/phrase noun refers back to

aphorism

Observation with general truth (a penny saved is a penny earned)

apostrophe

Reference  to something not there (O Romeo Romeo)

appeal to authority

Building ethos

appositive

Noun that renames another noun (my brother renaming Richard)

arguement

when a position is stated

Aristotelian concession

acknowledging/agreeing with opponent to a degree

Aristotelian logic

Deductive, inductive,  syllogism

assertion

forceful statement

abstract diction

Words and phrases that expresses general ideas, feelings, or attributes that cannot be touched, seen, or directly experienced

absolutes

Word or phrase that doesnt have limitations and expresses an extreme (universally true)

academic diction

Specific vocabulary and phrasing  that is considered scholarly and professional (scholarly/professional word choice)

active voice

A grammatical construction in which the subject performs a verbs action (subject acts making the sentence direct)

ad hominem fallacy

When someone attacks the character and motives of an opponent over the substance of the argument (attack someone charcater over arguement)

ad populum fallacy

An argument that showcases legitimacy using the fact it is largely believed instead of definitive evidence (everyone believes it so it must be true)

adjective

Words used to  describe something physically or characteristically

adjective phrase

Phrases that act as a more specific and descriptive adjective while modifying nouns (describes verb)

adverb

Words and phrases that add more meaning and description to a verb, giving the reader a  how, when, where, or to what extent something happens (words describing verb)

adverb phrase

Phrases that act as a more informative adverb by utilizing more words (what where when)

adverbial

A word or phrase that has the same function and value as an adverb

adverbial clause

A clause in which its subject and verb act like an adverb to the sentences main clause

adverbial compliment

A adverbial  that is required in a sentence to complete the meaning or understanding of a verb/sentence (necessary to complete verb)

allegory

A story, picture, or other form of literature that when interpreted can reveal a hidden meaning (story with a deeper meaning)

alliteration

The repeated use of words  containing the same first letter or  sound (all have the same starting sound)

allusion

A reference used in writing to something outside of the work itself. Normally assumed by the author is well known to the reader. (reference to a recognizable  noun)

ambiguity

To be open minded and willing to see more  than one interpretation of a subject (lacking clear meaning whether by choice or  not)