Rhetorical Terms

Created by kward1norwich

Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly. For example: "He's a real Romeo."

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TermDefinition
AllusionAn expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly. For example: "He's a real Romeo."
AnadiplosisThe use of the same language at the end of one sentence or clause and at the beginning of the next. For example: Malcolm X: "Once you change your philosophy, you change your thought pattern. Once you change your thought pattern, you change your attitude." or John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
AnaphoraThe repetition of the same word at the start of successive clauses. For example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Let Freedom Ring" or "I have a dream".
AntithesisJuxtaposition of parallel but contrasting images or ideas. For example: Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…" or Jane Austin's, "Sense and Sensibility."
Chiasmuswhen words or elements are repeated in a reversed order. One example that is also Anidiplosis, Kennedy's "Ask not what you can do for your country." Another example, "Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you."
ClimaxWhen words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance. Consonance is the repetition of the sound of consonants within the middle of the word. For example: Winston Churchill's speach which has, "We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..."
EllipsisThe omission of expected words. For example, "I know he deserved it, but..." Or for example, "Luke knew he had to go into that dark gave, but..."
ethos An appeal to ethics.
HyperboleAn exaggerated statement with claims that are not meant to be taken seriously.
Hypophora When the speaker asks a question then answers it.
logos an appeal to logic or knowledge.
Metaphor A figure of speech which a word or phrase is applied and not taken literally.
pathos an appeal to the emotions.
Personification (hint, similar to Anthrapamorphism) A characteristic of a human given to an animal or inanimate object.
Simile A figure of speech involving the comparison of two things using like or as.
Syllogism A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. (Merriam-Webster)