Rhet Terms You May Know
The general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.
What is tone?
The interpretive level of a word based on its associated images rather than its literal meaning.
What is connotation?
A sustained comparison, often referred to as a conceit. This type of literary element is developed throughout a piece of writing.
What is an extended metaphor?
A form of argument and an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent's argument, while actually refuting an argument that was not presented by that opponent.
What is a straw man?
The repetition or variations of an image or idea in a work used to develop theme or characters.
What is a motif?
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one
What is an allegory?
The process of moving from a general rule to a specific example.
What is deduction?
An extreme exaggeration. Hint: The opposite of understatement.
What is a hyperbole?
An unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended or expected to happen.
What is irony?
A word that sounds like the sound they represent.
What is onomatopoeia?
A reference to another literary work in a piece of writing
What is an allusion?
This rhetorical strategy helps author's create tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning.
What is diction?
The total effect of related sensory images in a work of literature.
What is imagery ?
A fallacious argumentative strategy whereby genuine discussion of the topic at hand is avoided by instead attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, or persons associated with the argument, rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself.
What is ad hominem?
A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
What is an oxymoron?
The presentation of two contrasting images. Hint: The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
What is antithesis?
A piece of writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. Hint: A ______________ work is usually formal and focuses on moral or ethical concerns.
What is didactic?
The process that moves from a given series of specifics to generalizations.
What is induction?
A direct comparison between dissimilar things.
The aspects of a literary work that elicit emotion from the audience.
What is pathos?
A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
What is a paradox?
A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something.
What is an euphemism?
A conclusion one can draw from the presented details.
What is an inference?
A figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea.
What is a metonymy?
A figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses.
What is a zeugma?