First 15 Rhetoric Terms

Front 1

allusion

Back 1

A reference from literature, mythology, religion, or history that an author expect the reader to understand

Front 2

Anadiplosis

Back 2

Figure of repetition that occurs when the last word or terms in one sentence clause, or phrase is/are repeated at or very near the beginning of the next sentence, clause, or phrase.

ex: my conscience hath a thousand several tongues

And every tongue brings in a several tale,

And every tale condemns me for a villian.

Front 3

Anaphora

Back 3

Figure of repetition that occurs when the first word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is/are repeated at the beginning of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases; repetition of the initial words over successive phrases or clauses

ex: Mad world! Mad kings! Mad composition!

Front 4

Asyndeton

Back 4

Figure of omission in which normally occurring conjunctions (and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet) are intentionally omitted in successive phrases, or clauses; a string of words not separated by normally occurring conjunctions.

ex: Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils..... (missing "and)

Front 5

Epanalepsis

Back 5

repeats the beginning word of a clause or sentence at the end. The beginning and the end are the two positions of strongest emphasis in a sentence, so by having the same word in both places, you call special attention to it:

ex: To report that your committee is still investigating the matter is to tell me that you have nothing to report.

Front 6

Epistrophe

Back 6

Figure of repetition that occurs when the last word or set of words in one sentence, clause, or phrase is repeated one or more times at the end of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases

ex: I'll have my bond!

Speak not against my bond!

I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond!

Front 7

Polysyndeton

Back 7

Figure of addition and emphasis which intentionally employs a series of conjunctions (and, or, but, for, nor, so yet) not normally found in successive words, phrases, or clauses; the deliberate and excessive use of conjunctions in successive words or clauses.

Ex: they read and studied and wrote and drilled. I laughed and played and talked and flunked.

Front 8

Tri-colon

Back 8

A well-known example of tricolon is Julius Ceasar's "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came; I saw; I conquered.)

Front 9

Allusion

Back 9

A reference from literature, mythology, religion, or history that an author expect the reader to understand.

Front 10

Foreshadowing

Back 10

To show, indicate, or suggest in advance

Front 11

Imagery

Back 11

Descriptive figurative language used in literature to create word pictures for the reader.

Front 12

Personification

Back 12

Figure which represents abstractions or inanimate objects with human attributes or abilities to nonhuman entities.

ex: I can't get the fuel pump back on because this bolt is being uncooperative.

Front 13

Simile

Back 13

Figure of explication in which two things that share at least one attribute are explicitly associated with each other; an overt comparison between two unlike things as though they were similar usually with the words "like" or "as"

ex: My love is like a red, red rose

Front 14

Verbal irony

Back 14

In which a person says or writes one thing and means another, or uses words to convey a meaning that is opposite of the literal meaning.

Front 15

Metaphor

Back 15

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Front 16

Alliteration

Back 16

Repetition of the same letter or sound within nearby words. Most often, repeated initial consonants.

ex: When to the sessions of sweet silent thought.....