Rhetorical Devices: Honors English 9

definitions for rhetorical Devices that will be on the quiz.

allusion

referencing something famous such as a historical event of a famous person. Implied or not directly stated.

ambiguty

a sentence that has two meanings

analogy

comparing two thing; uses semi colon

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

anecdote

a short and interesting story about a real incident or person

antithesis

contrasts opposing ideas in a balanced way

aphorism

a concise statement that expresses a general truth or principle.

connotation

the implied or associated meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition.

dentation

the repetition of similar sounds in a sequence of words, often used for emphasis.

diction

the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.

didactic

intended to teach or instruct, often conveying moral lessons.

ethos

appeal to credibility or character; often used to persuade an audience of the speaker's trustworthiness

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that may be considered harsh or blunt.

hypophora

speaker poses a question and then immediately answers it

irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect.

logos

appeal that uses logic and reason to persuade an audience, often through data, facts, and structured arguments.

metonymy

when a word is substituted for another word that it is closely associated with.

oxymoron

combines contradictory terms, such as "deafening silence" or "bittersweet."

Paradox

a statement or situation that seems to contradict itself, but may actually be true

pathos

appeal to emotion, used to persuade an audience by evoking feelings.

prolepsis

anticipates and addresses potential objections or counterarguments in advance.