Rhetorical Essay Terms

Alliteration

neighboring words that begin with the same consonant sounds. E.g., "sister Suzy"

Allusion

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase. E.g., "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France."

Anecdote

A short amusing story about a real incident or person

Aphorism

a brief statement which expresses an observation on life, usually intended as a wise observation

Ethos

appeal to credibility

Logos

appeal to logic

Pathos

Appeal to emotion

Diction

author's choice of words

Epistrophe

Repetition of the word AT THE END OF SENTENCE

Euphemism

representing something unpleasant in a more socially acceptable way. E.g., asking "Where is the restroom" instead of "Where is the toilet."

Simile

a form of metaphor that uses like, as, or than. E.g. She's as pretty as a picture

Metaphor

a comparison of two unlike things. E.g., "You are a pig!"

Personification

a figure of speech; non human things are given human characteristics

Hyperbole

Exaggeration. E.g. "The shot heard 'round the world."

Idiom

They are words or phrases that aren't meant to be taken literally. E.g., "That sure beats me!" "Raining cats and dogs" "cold feet" "blessing in disguise"

Verbal Irony

speaker says something but mean opposite

Sarcasm

critical or insulting use of verbal irony

Dramatic irony

When the audience or reader knows something that the characters do not. Example: The audience knows a character is walking into a trap.

Situational irony

The opposite of what is expected to happen, happens

Jargon

specialized vocabulary of a particular group. I.e., the _____of doctors, lawyers, teachers

Juxtaposition

two scenes, chapters, events, characters placed next to each other to show contrast

Rhetorical question

Question not intended to be answered

Satire

Using humor to expose and criticize people's stupidity

Voice

in writing, style that reveals something about the writer, his/her attitude, beliefs, feelings.