Rhetorical Analysis Terms

Parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and /or ridicule.

Personification

Giving human- like qualities to something that is not human.

Euphemism

are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept.

Inductive argument

the process that moves from a given series of specifics to a generalization.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory situation or statement which is actually true.

Gothic

Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and /or death.

Undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece.

Sarcasm

A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded.

Oversimplification

When a writer obscures or denies the complexity of the issues in an argument.

Symbol

Anything that represents or stands for something else.

Polysyndeton

When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions.

Pathos

means persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions.

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 ones own question (s)

Style

choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes.

Fallacy

An error in attractive, but unreliable reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

Non Sequitur

A conclusion that does not follow from its premises; an invalid argument., following idea make no sense.

Colloquialism

common or familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism.

Concession

An argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponents point.

Regionalism

an element in literature that conveys a realistic portrayal of a specific geographical locale, using the locale and its influences as a major part of the plot.

Litotes

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

Lyrical

Songlike; characterized by emotions, subjectivity, and imagination.

Counterexample

example that runs counter to (opposes) a generalization, thus falsifying it.

Deductive argument

reasoning- in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises easier to understand terms.

Synecdoche

A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts.

Cliche thinking

Using as evidence a well- known saying, as if it is proven, or as if it has no exceptions.

Epigraph

the use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme.

Zeugma

The use of a word to modify or govern two or more words although its use maybe grammatically or logically correct with only one.

Sound argument

First, that the line of reasoning from the premises to the conclusion is valid.

Ellipsis

The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.

Chiasmus

When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of the words is reversed.

Generalization

When a writer bases a claim upon an isolated example or asserts that a claim is certain rather than probable.

Analogies

A comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.

Juxtaposition

Placing dissimilar items, descriptions, or ideas close together or side- by- side, especially for comparison or contrast.

Confirmation

The main part of a text in which logical arguments in support of a position are elaborated.

Stereotype

a character who represents a trait that is usually attributed to a particular social or racial group and who lacks individuality; a conventional pattern, expression or idea.

Subjectivity

a personal presentation of events and characters, influenced by the authors feelings and opinions.

Free verse

Poetry that doesnt have much meter or rhyme.

Persona

The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story.

Ethos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text, projected character.

Classicism

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures (see romanticism)

Romanticism

Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the world, and an emphasis on nature.

Concrete

The observable or "physical "is usually described.

Parable

a short tale that teaches a moral; similar to but shorter than an allegory.

Trope

Figure of speech that turns of twists to change meaning.

Antecedent

word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.

Aristotles Rhetorical Triangle

relationships, in any piece of writing, between the writer, the audience, and the subject.

Wit

intellectually amazing language that surprises and delights, humorous.

Assonance

The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.

Diacope

repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or phrase.

Alter-ego

A character that is used by the author to speak the authors own thoughts; when an author speaks directly to the audience through a character

Anecdote

A brief recounting or short of narrative/incident of a relevant episode

Antecedent

word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Atmosphere

The emotional mood/nod created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the authors choice of objects that are described

Caricature

a verbal description, the purpose of which is to exaggerate or distort, for comic effect, a persons distinctive physical features or other characteristics

Classicism

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures (see romanticism)

Comic relief

when a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood somewhat

Conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Diction

Word choice, element of style, The choice and use of words in speech or writing

Colloquial

Common, ordinary, familiar language, slang/informalities

Connotation

Rather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word

Denotation

The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations

Cacophony

Dissonance harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite of euphony

Euphony

a succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of cacophony

Abstract

refers to language that describes concepts rather than concrete images

Concrete

The observable or "physical" is usually described

Pedantic

An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, lecturing, academic, or bookish (language that might be described as "show-offy"; using big words for the sake of using big words)

Pedestrian

ordinary or dull

Jargon

Specialized vocabulary of a group

Vernacular

1)Language or dialect of a particular country, 2)Plain everyday speech

didactic

A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking

Adage

A folk saying with a lesson

Allegory

narrative, extending a metaphor, The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Aphorism

A terse statement, short, often witty, which expresses a general truth or moral principle

colloquialism

common or familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism

Parable

a short tale that teaches a moral; similar to but shorter than an allegory

Ellipsis

The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author

Epigraph

The use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme

Euphemism

are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

figurative language

is the opposite of "Literal Language, Language in which figures of speech

Figures of speech

A device used to produce figurative language

Analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them,can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with or pointing out its similarity to something more familiar

Apostrophe

Figure of speech addressing someone or something as though they were there

Idiom

A common, often used expression that doesnt make sense if you take it literally

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement

litotes

a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite

Metaphor

Making an implied comparison, not using "like," as," or other such words., not using "like," as," or other such words

Extended Metaphor

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

Metonymy

Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept

Synecdoche

A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its parts

Oxymoron

Figure of speech juxtaposing opposite or contradictory words to create a paradox

Personification

Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human

Simile

Using words such as "like" or "as" to make a direct comparison between two very different things

Synesthesia

a description involving a "crossing of the senses."

Examples

"A purplish scent filled the room."

Trope

Figure of speech that turns of twists to change meaning

Foreshadowing

When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story

Generic Conventions

This term describes traditions for each genre

Genre

The major category into which a literary work fits

prose

one of the major divisions of genre, refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms

Gothic

Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death