In prescriptive grammar, two independent clauses that have been run together without an appropriate conjunction and/or mark of punctuation between them.
What is a "Run-on Sentence?"
100
This rhetorical mode involves analyzing types, kinds, components, or categories. Many complex problems can be more readily understood and discussed if we can "break" them "down" first.
What is "Classification?"
100
"An implied comparison between two unlike things that actually have something important in common."
What is a "Metaphor?"
100
This is even more informal than colloquial language.
What is "slang?"
100
This is using as evidence a well-known wise saying.
What is a "cliche?"
200
A type of sentence in which the main idea comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units, such as prases and clauses.
What is "Loose sentence?"
200
This rhetorical mode shows similarities and differences.
What is "comparison/contrast?"
200
"A yawn may be defined as a silent yell."
(G.K. Chesterton)
What is an "oxymoron?"
200
"To think on death it is a misery,/ To think on life it is a vanity;/ To think on the world verily it is,/ To think that here man hath no perfect bliss." --Peacham
What is an "anaphora?"
200
For example, the claim that "evolution means a dog giving birth to a cat."
What is "Straw Man argument?"
300
A mark of punctuation used to connect independent clauses and indicating a closer relationship between the clauses than a period does.
What is a "Semicolon?"
300
This rhetorical mode shows the stages of development of a situation, how something happened, how it works, how it is organized.
What is "process analysis?"
300
The similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.
What is "parallelism?"
300
"Just as the term 'menial' does not apply to any honest labor, so no dishonest work can be called 'prestigious.'"
What is a "chiasmus?"
300
"We must have a death penalty to discourage violent crime"
What is "Begging The Question."
(Tautology: reasoning in a circle. The thing to be proved is used as one of your assumptions.)
400
The form of an adjective that suggests the most or the least of something.
What is "superlative?"
400
This rhetorical mode begins with specific premises (examples, experiences) to general conclusions
What is "Induction?"
400
"War is peace."
What is a "Paradox?"
400
"They read and studied and wrote and drilled. I laughed and played and talked and flunked."
What is "Polysyndeton?"
400
"Von Daniken's books about ancient astronauts are worthless because he is a convicted forger and embezzler."
What is an "ad hominem argument?"
500
The arrangement of words in a sentence.
What is "syntax?"
500
This rhetorical mode helps to make expository or argumentative writing lively and interesting and hold the reader's interest. It is typically used to communicate a scene, a specific place, or a person to the reader.
What is "description?"
500
"Take thy face hence."
(William Shakespeare, Macbeth)
What is "synecdoche?"
500
"Heat waves are common in the summer."
What is a "Litote?"
500
"If I make an exception for you then I'll have to make an exception for everyone."
What is a "Slippery Slope Fallacy?"
(Camel's Nose)