Rhetorical Terms and Techniques

Flashcards for reviewing rhetorical terms and techniques.

Amplification

Extensive development of one subject or idea, often treated in many ways to emphasize different aspects.

Allusion

A brief reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object familiar to the audience, fostering identification with the rhetoric.

Arrangement or Organization

The strategic organization of information in an essay or speech to achieve a specific effect on the reader, considering the purpose and audience.

Anecdote

A short and amusing story used to illustrate a point or inject humor into fictional or non-fictional texts.

Antithesis

The juxtaposition of two opposite ideas in a sentence to create a contrasting effect, often using parallel structures.

Comic relief

The insertion of a humorous scene into a serious story to lighten the mood.

Common ground

The point of agreement between people in disagreement, used by rhetoricians to find a starting point with an opposing audience.

Defining your terms

Explanation of the meaning of a term or word, especially an abstract or interpretable one, to ensure understanding with the audience.

Figurative Language

Language that is not meant to be taken literally, including techniques such as analogy, hyperbole, metaphors, and similes.

Hypophora

A figure of speech in which a writer raises a question and immediately provides an answer.

Irony

A statement with an incongruity or discordance that goes beyond the evident meaning, often used for emphasis; includes situational and verbal irony (sarcasm).

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more things side by side, often to highlight their differences in a shocking, humorous, or strange manner.

Rebuttal

A counter-argument that effectively demonstrates an argument to be false by pointing out fallacies.

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that contains some truth, used to show the complexity of an idea or for poetic effect.

Paralipsis

Emphasizing something by claiming not to say anything (or very little) about it.

Parallel Structure

Repetition of a word/phrase or grammatical structure for effect, creating cohesion, emotion, and rhythm.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as'.

Metaphor

A direct comparison stating something is something else.

Analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.