“against the man”; attacking the arguer rather than the argument or issue
What is Ad hominem
100
a kind of repetition in which the last word or phrase of one sentence or line of poetry is repeated at the beginning of the next
What is Anadiplosis
100
attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object
What is ANTHROPOMORPHISM
100
Placing in immediately succeeding order of two or more coordinate elements, the latter of which is an explanation, qualification, or modification of the first (often set off by a colon).
What is APPOSITION
100
argumentation in which the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim aka “Circular Reasoning” making a statement that assumes that the issue being argued has already been decided
What is Begging the Question
200
a story or poem in which characters, settings, and events stand for other people or events or for abstract ideas or qualities.
What is ALLEGORY
200
Comparison made between two things to show how they are alike
What is ANALOGY
200
Repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical order. Moliere: “One should eat to live, not live to eat.” In poetry, this is called chiasmus.
What is ANTIMETABOLE
200
the repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together.
What is ASSONANCE
200
In poetry, a type of rhetorical balance in which the second part is syntactically balanced against the first, but with the parts reversed. Coleridge: “Flowers are lovely, love is flowerlike.” In prose this is called antimetabole.
What is CHIASMUS
300
a repetition of the same or similar consonant sounds in words that are close together. EXAMPLE: “When the two youths turned with the flag they saw that much of the regiment had crumbled away, and the dejected remnant was coming slowly back.”
What is ALLITERATION
300
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row. This is a deliberate form of repetition and helps make the writer’s point more coherent.
What is ANAPHORA
300
Balancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure.
What is ANTITHESIS
300
Commas used without conjunction to separate a series of words, thus emphasizing the parts equally: instead of X, Y, and Z... the writer uses X,Y,Z.... see polysyndeton.
What is ASYNDETON
300
a claim that asserts something exists, has existed, or will exist, based on data that the audience will accept as objectively verifiable
What is Claim of Fact
400
reference to someone or something that is known from history, literature, religion, politics, sports, science, or another branch of culture. An indirect reference to something (usually from literature, etc.).
What is ALLUSION
400
Inversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a sentence. Purpose is rhythm or emphasis or euphony. It is a fancy word for inversion.
What is ANASTROPHE
400
brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life, or of a principle or accepted general truth. Also called maxim, epigram.
What is APHORISM
400
the listener, viewer, or reader of a text; most texts have multiple audiences
What is AUDIENCE
400
claim asserting that specific courses of action should be instituted as solutions to problems
What is Claim of Policya
500
deliberately suggesting two or more different, and sometimes conflicting, meanings in a work. An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way-- this is done on purpose by the author, when it is not done on purpose, it is vagueness, and detracts from the work.
What is AMBIGUITY
500
Brief story, told to illustrate a point or serve as an example of something, often shows character of an individual
What is ANECDOTE
500
calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or thing, or a personified abstract idea. If the character is asking a god or goddess for inspiration it is called an invocation.
What is APOSTROPHE
500
Constructing a sentence so that both halves are about the same length and importance. Sentences can be unbalanced to serve a special effect as well.
What is BALANCE
500
a claim that asserts some things are more or less desirable than others