Rhetorical Vocabulary Study

abstract

An abbreviated synopsis of a longer work of scholarship and research. (adj.) Dealing with or tending to deal with a subject apart from a particular or specific instance.

ad hominem

Literally, 'against the man.' An argument directed against a person rather than the position he is maintaining.

adage

A saying or proverb containing a truth based on experience and often couched in metaphorical language.

allegory

A story in which a second meaning is to be read beneath the surface of the literal story.

alliteration

The repetition of one or more initial consonant sounds in a group of words or lines in a poem.

allusion

A reference to a person, place, or event meant to create an effect or enhance the meaning of an idea.

ambiguity

A vagueness of meaning; a conscious lack of clarity meant to evoke multiple meanings or interpretations.

anachronism

A person, scene, event, or other element that fails to correspond with the appropriate time or era.

analogy

A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things.

anecdote

A brief narrative often used to illustrate an idea or make a point.

annotation

A brief explanation, summary, or evaluation of a text or work of literature.

antagonist

A character or force in a work of literature that, by opposing the protagonist, produces tension or conflict.

antecedent

A word to which a pronoun refers.

antithesis

A rhetorical opposition or contrast of ideas by means of a grammatical arrangement of words, clauses, or sentences.

aphorism

A short, pithy statement of a generally-accepted truth or sentiment.

Apollonian

In contrast to Dionysian, it refers to the most noble, godlike qualities of human nature and behavior.

apostrophe

A locution that addresses a person not present or a personified thing.

arch

Characterized by clever or sly humor, often saucy, playful, and somewhat irreverent.

archetype

An abstract or ideal conception of a type; a perfectly typical example.

assonance

The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry.

asyndeton

The omission of the conjunctions that ordinarily join coordinate words or clauses.

bard

A poet; in olden times, a performer who told heroic stories to musical accompaniment.

bathos

Anticlimax.

belle-lettres

A French term for the world of books, criticism, and literature in general.

bibliography

A list of works cited or otherwise relevant to a particular subject.

bombast

Inflated, pretentious language.

burlesque

A work of literature meant to ridicule a subject; a grotesque imitation.

cacophony

Grating, inharmonious sounds.

canon

The works considered most important in a national literature or period.

caricature

A grotesque likeness of striking qualities in persons and things.

carpe diem

Literally, 'seize the day'; enjoy life while you can, a common theme in life and literature.

circumlocution

Literally, 'talking around' a subject; discourse that avoids direct reference to a subject.

classic

A highly regarded work of literature or other art form that has withstood the test of time.

classical, classicism

Deriving from the orderly qualities of ancient Greek and Roman culture.

clause

A structural element of a sentence, consisting of a grammatical subject and a predicate.

climax

The high point, or turning point, of a story or play.

comparison and contrast

A mode of discourse in which two or more things are compared and contrasted.

conceit

A witty or ingenious thought; a diverting or highly fanciful idea.

concrete detail

A highly specific, particular, often real, actual, or tangible detail.

connotation

The suggested or implied meaning of a word.

consonance

The repetition of two or more consonant sounds in a group of words or a unit of speech or writing.

critique

An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature.

cynic

One who expects and observes nothing but the worst of human conduct.

deductive reasoning

A method of reasoning by which specific definitions, conclusions, and theorems are drawn from general principles.

denotation

The dictionary definition of a word.

denouement

The resolution that occurs at the end of a narrative or drama.

descriptive detail

Graphic, exact, and accurate presentation of characteristics of a person, place, or thing.

deus ex machina

In literature, the use of an artificial device or gimmick to solve a problem.

diction

The use of words in oral and written discourse.

didactic

Having an instructive purpose; intending to convey information or teach a lesson.

digression

That portion of discourse that wanders, or departs from the main subject or topic.

Dionysian

As distinguished from Apollonian, the word refers to sensual, pleasure-seeking impulses.

dramatic irony

A circumstance in which the audience or reader knows more about a situation than a character.

elegy

A poem or prose selection that laments or meditates on the passing or death of someone.

ellipsis

Three periods (. . .) indicating the omission of words in a thought or quotation.

elliptical construction

A sentence containing a deliberate omission of words.

empathy

A feeling of association or identification with an object or person.

epic

A narrative poem that tells of the adventures and exploits of a hero.

epigram

A concise but ingenious, witty, and thoughtful statement.

euphony

Pleasing, harmonious sounds.

epithet

An adjective or phrase that expresses a striking quality of a person or thing.

eponymous

A term for the title character of a work of literature.

euphemism

A mild or less negative usage for a harsh or blunt term.

exegesis

A detailed analysis or interpretation of prose or poetry.

expose

A piece of writing that reveals weaknesses, faults, frailties, or other shortcomings.

exposition

The background and events that lead to the presentation of the main idea or purpose.

explication

The interpretation or analysis of a text.

extended metaphor

A series of comparisons between two unlike objects.

fable

A short tale often with nonhuman characters from which a useful lesson may be drawn.

fallacy, fallacious reasoning

An incorrect belief or supposition based on faulty data, defective evidence, or false information.

fantasy

A story containing unreal, imaginary features.

farce

A comedy that contains an extravagant and nonsensical disregard of seriousness.

figure of speech, figurative language

In contrast to literal language, figurative language implies meanings.

frame

A structure that provides a premise or setting for a narrative or other discourse.

genre

A term used to describe literary forms, such as novel, play, and essay.

harangue

A forceful sermon, lecture, or tirade.

hubris

Excessive pride that often affects tone.

humanism

A belief that emphasizes faith and optimism in human potential and creativity.

hyperbole

Overstatement; gross exaggeration for rhetorical effect.

idyll

A lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place.

image

A word or phrase representing that which can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or felt.

indirect quotation

A rendering of a quotation in which actual words are not stated but only approximated or paraphrased.

inductive reasoning

A method of reasoning in which a number of specific facts or examples are used to make a generalization.

inference

A conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts.

invective

A direct verbal assault; a denunciation.

irony

A mode of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is stated.

kenning

A device employed in Anglo-Saxon poetry in which the name of a thing is replaced by one of its functions or qualities.

lampoon

A mocking, satirical assault on a person or situation.

litotes

A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve emphasis or intensity.

loose sentence

A sentence that follows the customary word order of English sentences.

lyrical prose

Personal, reflective prose that reveals the speaker’s thoughts and feelings about the subject.

malapropism

A confused use of words in which the appropriate word is replaced by one with a similar sound but inappropriate meaning.

maxim

A saying or proverb expressing common wisdom or truth.

melodrama

A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response.

metaphor

A figure of speech that compares unlike objects.

metaphysical

A term describing poetry that uses elaborate conceits, expresses the complexities of love and life, and is highly intellectual.

metonymy

A figure of speech that uses the name of one thing to represent something else with which it is associated.

Middle English

The language spoken in England roughly between 1150 and 1500 AD.

mock epic

A parody of traditional epic form.

mock solemnity

Feigned or deliberately artificial seriousness, often for satirical purposes.