Neoclassicism Vocab

Temperance – Moderation or self-restraint, especially in behavior or eating.

Resolution – A firm decision or determination.

Frugality – The quality of being economical or avoiding waste.

Humility – A modest view of one’s importance.

Virtue – Moral excellence or goodness.

Denotation – The literal or primary meaning of a word.

Connotation – The associated or secondary meaning of a word, beyond its literal definition.

Rhetoric – The art of persuasive speaking or writing.

Rhetorical shift – A change in tone, perspective, or argument in a piece of writing or speech.

Rhetorical devices – Techniques used to persuade or influence an audience (e.g., metaphor, repetition).

Logical fallacy – A flaw in reasoning or argument that undermines its logic.

Tyrant – A cruel and oppressive ruler.

Sentiment – A view or attitude toward a situation, often emotional.

Insidious – Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.

Formidable – Inspiring fear or respect due to size, power, or difficulty.

Invincible – Too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

Presides – To be in charge or lead a meeting or gathering.

Petition – A formal request or appeal.

Remonstrate – To argue or protest against something.

Supplicate – To ask or beg for something humbly or earnestly.

Prostrate – Lying face down, often in submission or exhaustion.

Implore – To beg or plead earnestly.

Aphorism – A brief, wise statement or saying.

Periodic sentence – A sentence in which the main idea is postponed until the end for emphasis.

Allusion – An indirect reference to another text, event, or figure.

Parallelism – The repetition of similar structures in sentences or phrases for balance.

Rhetorical questions – Questions asked to make a point rather than to receive an answer.

Repetition – Repeating words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis or effect.

Imagery – Descriptive language that creates vivid pictures in the mind.

Ethos – Appeal to ethics or character; establishing credibility.

Pathos – Appeal to emotions, aiming to evoke feelings.

Logos – Appeal to logic or reason.

Metaphor – A comparison between two things without using "like" or "as."

Simile – A comparison between two things using "like" or "as."

anaphora - The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis.