English Rhetoric Vocab & Analysis

1: Grammar 2: Syntax 3: Function *(not required) 4: Rhetorical Techniques (the following are NOT required to memorize: anadiplosis; epanalepsis; diaphora; chiasmus; ellipsis; register; zeugma; the sentence functions)

Independent clause

subject-verb unit that can stand alone as a grammatical sentence

Dependent clause

noun-verb unit that can’t stand alone as a grammatical sentence

Simple sentence

a SINGLE independent clause

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(+ any modifying phrases)

Compound sentence

TWO independent clauses; linked by CONJUNCTION or SEMICOLON

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(+ any modifying phrases)

Complex sentence

ONE independent & dependent clause

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(+ any modifying phrases)

Compound-Complex sentence

at least TWO independent clauses & ONE dependent clause

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(+ any modifying phrases)

Effective fragment

word/phrase punctuated as a sentence that is grammatically incomplete due to lack of independent clause

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(can be dependent clauses & phrases when punctuated as sentences)

Natural order

traditionally arranged sentence of subject-verb-object structure; subject or agent (noun carrying out the action of verb) comes BEFORE the predicate

Inverted order

Reversal of natural order structure; main verb comes BEFORE the subject or agent

Periodic sentence

when the sentence’s main idea is not completed until the very end; sentence front-loaded with subordinate elements & main clause is postponed

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(adds suspense)

Cumulative sentence

when the sentence’s main clause comes at the very beginning; main clause first followed by subordinate elements for detail

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(aka loose sentence as they are more free-flowing compared to periodic sentences)

Balanced sentence

when sentence is composed of two (or more) parts roughly equal in length, importance, & grammatical structure

Anaphora

repetition of a word/group of words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences

Epistrophe

repetition of a word/group of words at the end of successive phrases, clauses or sentences

Symploce

beginning & ending a series of lines, clauses, or sentences with repetition of word/phrase

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combination of anaphora & epistrophe

Balance

parallel elements similar in structures; effect of equilibrium & symmetry

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parallelism technique

Antithesis

when the parallel elements are similar in structure, but seek to contrast one thing from another

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parallelism technique

Asyndeton

when a speaker/writer omits a conjunction between related words, phrases, or clauses

Polysyndeton

when a speaker/writer uses excessive conjunctions that could otherwise be omitted between related words, phrases, or clauses

Paralipsis

Stating that one will pass over (or not mention) a topic and, in doing so, drawing all the more attention to it

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produce ironic effect

Paranomasia

the use of words similar in sound to achieve a certain effect (humor, double meaning, etc.)