Rhetoric Vocab #1

1-15

Abstract

A short summary of a longer work.

Ad Hominem

An attack on the person, not their argument.

Adage

A short saying that expresses a truth or lesson.

Allegory

A story with a hidden meaning beneath the surface.

Alliteration

Repeating the same starting sound in words.

Allusion

A reference to something well-known (person, place, event).

Ambiguity

When something has more than one possible meaning.

Anachronism

Something placed in the wrong time period.

Analogy

A comparison showing how two different things are similar.

Anecdote

A short story used to make a point.

Annotation

A note explaining or commenting on a text.

Antagonist

The character or force that opposes the main character.

Antecedent

The word a pronoun refers to.

Antithesis

Opposite ideas shown side by side for contrast.

Aphorism

A short statement of general truth or principle.