Figures of Speech
Deliberate exaggeration for emphasis.
What is hyperbole?
The repetition of the first word or identical phrasing in successive clauses.
What is anaphora?
This verb describes what an author builds as he backs up a claim with evidence.
What is support?
This appeal relies on or reveals the credibility or character of the speaker.
What is ethos?
The grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence.
What is syntax?
When reality differs from that which is stated or expected. Verbal, situational or dramatic.
What is irony?
A nice, more acceptable way to convey a troubling idea.
What is euphemism?
This verb means to challenge or to go against an idea.
What is to refute or counter?
This appeal brings emotions into the conversation in order to persuade an audience.
What is pathos?
Short, terse sentences can create this type of tone.
What is tension or urgency?
A contrast or opposition between two things or ideas.
What is anthesis?
The action of enlarging upon or adding detail to a story or idea within a story or argument.
What is amplification?
This verb means to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint (it can happen at the end of an election.)
What is concede?
This appeal makes sense based on logic or reason.
What is logos?
This sentence structure places the main idea at the end for emphasis.
What is a periodic sentence?
A word or phrase that is commonly understood, not formal or literary, and is typically used in ordinary or familiar conversation.
What is colloquialism?
Cesar Chavez seemed to like this rhetorical choice, as illustrated by the number of times he included the word "non-violence" in his article.
What is repetition?
This verb would be an appropriate purpose for a speaker who addresses a group at a memorial.
What is encourage or comfort?
The precise reason a message is shared with a particular audience on a particular occasion at a particular time.
What is exigence?
The repetition of grammatical structures in successive sentences or clauses.
What is parallelism?
What is the repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses? i.e. "...government of the people, by the people, for the people..."
What is epistrophe?
The joining of successive clauses by repeating a coordinating conjunction multiple times.
What is polysyndeton?
This verb means to reduce or minimize the importance of an idea.
What is downplay?
The intended group or individual the speaker addresses.
What is audience?
Sentence structure that reverses the typical grammatical order of words.
What is inversion or anastrophe?