Style, Pt. 1
What is the definition of style?
though put into words
What are figures of speech (definition)?
Figures of speech are rhetorical tools that use deviations in word order and deviations in word meaning in order to make the language of your speech more interesting and exhilarating.
the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas
antithesis
an implied comparison without using "like" or "as"
metaphor
an explicit comparison using "like" or "as"
simile
What is the main virtue of good writing?
clarity
What are the three characteristics of "appropriate style?"
1. Expresses emotion (pathos)
2. Expresses character (ethos)
3. Corresponds to the subject (logos)
deliberate omission of words implied by the context
ellipsis
exaggeration used for emphasis (over-exaggeration)
hyperbole
paradox
Which type of style did Aristotle claim to be the most appropriate for speeches?
the mean between common/flat style and elevated/ poetic/academic style
in other words, middle style
Why is it important to know the denotation and connotation of the words you are using in a speech?
the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of successive phrases
anaphora
the use of language to convey a meaning opposite to its literal meaning
irony
the asking of a question for the purpose of making a point rather than receiving an answer
rhetorical question
What is one thing you can do to keep your sentences lean but still strong?
make sure that your verbs are robust, and that your nouns are substantial
How is style really about "judgment?" In other words, why is wise judgment required for selecting the right style for a speech?
you have to judge the audience and the occasion to know how to deliver the speech
the omission of conjunctions
asyndeton
understatement used for emphasis
litotes
a similar grammatical structure in successive words, phrases, and clauses
parallelism