A brief recounting of a relevant episode. These are often inserted into fictional or nonfiction texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
What is anecdote.
100
This is a comparison to a directly parallel case. When a writer uses this, he or she argues that a claim reasonable for one case is reasonable for the other.
What is analogy.
100
The associations people make with words that go beyond the literal or dictionary meaning.
What is connotation.
100
Words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation.
What is figurative language.
100
The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
What is denotation.
200
A direct or indirect reference to something from history, the Bible, literature, etc.
What is allusion
200
Repetition of sounds produced by vowels within a sentence or phrase.
What is assonance.
200
A temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.
What is digression.
200
The use of a repeated structure within a sentence or paragraph.
What is parallelism.
200
Latin for "to the crowd". A fallacy of logic in which the widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it true.
What is Ad populum.
300
Trying to establish that something is true because everyone believes it is true.
What is bandwagon.
300
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This device is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer's point more coherent.
What is anaphora.
300
When a writer appeals to an audience's emotions.
What is pathos.
300
Latin for "against the man". When a writer personally attacks his or her opponents instead of their argument.
What is Ad homonym.
300
Device through which a writer raises an irrelevant issue to draw attention away from the real issue.
What is red herring.
400
Conscious exaggeration used to heighten effect. Not intended literally, this is often humorous.
What is Hyperbole.
400
A concise statement of truth, or a brief saying that expresses a truth or a principle to live by.
What is aphorism.
400
When a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text.
What is ethos.
400
a statement. sentence or argument used to convince or persuade the targeted audience by employing reason.
What is logos.
400
In this device, a writer asserts that one thing results from another thing.
What is casual relationship.
500
A question asked for rhetorical effect to emphasize a point; no answer is expected.
What is rhetorical question.
500
This term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words and is not meant to be taken literally.
What is idiom.
500
Latin for "it does not follow". When one comment is not logically related to another.
What is non-sequiter.
500
Occurs when a writer musters relevant opposing arguments.
What is refutation.
500
Deliberately representing something as much less than it really is.