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8395472517Ad hominemThe character attack. Logicians and the argument-averse consider it a bad thing, but in rhetoric it's a necessity.0
8395489052AlliterationThe sequential repetition of a similar initial sound, usually applied to consonants, usually in closely proximate stressed syllables.1
8395516505AllusionA literary, historical, religious, or mythical reference in a literary work.2
8395530663AnaphoraThe regular repetition of the same words or phrases at the beginning of successive phrases or clauses.3
8395542671Annotationthe taking of notes directly on a text4
8395556816Antecedenta substantive word, phrase, or clause whose denotation is referred to by a pronoun (such as John in "Mary saw John and called to him"); broadly - a word or phrase replaced by a substitute.5
8395582433AntithesisThe juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.6
8395596008AppositiveA noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words. Example- the insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table.7
8395622178AporiaDoubt or ignorance- feigned or real- used as a rhetorical device.8
8395638993Argumenta process of reasoned inquiry. A persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.9
8395652712Assertiona statement that presents a claim or thesis10
8395659055AttitudeThe sense expressed by the tone of voice or the mood of a piece of writing; the author's feelings toward his or her subject, characters, events, or theme. It might even be his or her feelings for the reader.11
8395689283Begging the questionAn argumentative ploy where the arguer sidesteps the question or the conflict, evades or ignores the real question.12
8395709225Biasis a tendency to lean in a certain direction, often to the detriment of an open mind. Those who are biased tend to believe what they want to believe, refusing to take into consideration the opinions of others.13
8395733423CanonThe list of works considered to be permanently established as being the highest quality- Ex: Hopkins was firmly established in the canon of English poetry.14
8395757690ChiasmusA figure of speech and generally a syntactical structure wherein the order of the terms in the first half of a parallel clause is reversed in the second15
8395774521Cite/Citationan act of quoting. ex: His homily included several biblical citations.16
8395785851Claimalso called an assertion or proposition, a claim states the argument's main idea or position. A claim differs from a topic or subject in that a claim has to be arguable17
8395810669ColloquialA term identifying the diction of the common, ordinary folks, especially in a specific region or area.18
8395821394ConcessionYou seem to agree with your opponent's point, only to use it to your advantage.19
8395831627ConnotationThe implied, suggested or underlying meaning of a word or phrase.20
8395847425Coordinationthe joining of words, phrases, or clauses of the same type to give them equal emphasis and importance. The common conjunctions and, but, for, or, not, yet, an so to join the elements of a coordinate construction.21
8395879181Credibletrustworthy; believable. A credible source can be believed.22
8395896625Cumulative sentenceSentence that completes the main idea at the beginning of the sentence and then builds and adds on.23
8395911522Deductive reasoning (deduction)The method of argument in which specific statements and conclusions are drawn from general principles- movement from the general to the specific.24
8395935395Deliberative rhetoricOne of three types of rhetorical persuasion (the other two are forensic and demonstrative). Deliberative rhetoric deals with arguments about choices. It concerns itself with matters that affect the future; its chief topic, according to Aristotle, is the "advantageous"---what's best for the family, community, company, or country. Without deliberative rhetoric, democracy is impossible.25
8395991128Demonstrative rhetoricPersuasion that deals with values which bring a group together. It usually focuses on matters in the present, and its chief topic is right versus wrong. This is the language of sermons, funeral speeches, and national anthems.26
8396014937DenotationThe direct or dictionary meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.27
8396027561DialectThe language and speech idiosyncrasies of a specific area, region, or group.28
8396046032DictionThe specific word choice an author uses to persuade or convey tone, purpose or effect29
8396053808DidacticWriting or speech that has an instructive purpose or a lesson; often associated with a dry, pompous presentation30
8396069196EnthymemeTaking a commonly accepted premise and linking it to a conclusion. For instance, "Girls like guys who can dance. You should learn to dance." A small piece of logic.31
8396099431EquivocationThis appears to say one thing while meaning the opposite, and it occurs when a word has multiple meanings.32
8396111061EthosIn rhetoric, the appeal of a text to the credibility and character of the speaker, writer, or narrator.33
8396122935ExampleThe foundation of inductive logic. Aristotle listed three kinds- fact, comparison, and fable (story)34
8396154113Figurative LanguageLanguage with levels of meaning expressed through figures of speech such as prepositions, metaphor, litotes, etc.35
8396165760FlashbackAn earlier event is inserted into the normal chronology of the narration36
8396182467Forensic (legal) rhetoricArgument that determines guilt or innocent. It focuses on the past.37
8396190187GenreA type or class of literature, such as epic, narrative, poetry, biography, history38
8396206876HyperboleOverstatement characterized by exaggerated language, usually to make a point or draw attention.39
8396220507HypophoraA figure that asks a rhetorical question and then immediately answers it. The hypophora allows you to anticipate an audience's skepticism and nip it in the bud. EX: "what makes a king out of a slave? Courage!"40
8396266121IdiomInseparable words with a single meaning. (It's Greek to me; the whole ball of wax; in a pickle; quit cold turkey)41
8396285836ImageryAny sensory detail or evocation in a work to evoke a feeling, to call to mind an idea, or to describe an object. Involves any or all of the five senses42
8396310818Imperative sentencesentence used to command43
8396320170Inductive reasoningThe method of reasoning or argument in which general statements and conclusions are drawn from specific principles- movement form the specific to the general.44
8396341410InferenceA conclusion or proposition arrived at by considering facts, observations, or some other specific data. Looking at blues, learning the facts.45
8396357552Inversioninverted order of words in a sentence (variation of the subject-verb-object order)46
8428377585IronyThe contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The intended meaning is often the opposite of what is stated, often suggesting light sarcasm.47
8428400020JargonSpecialized or technical language of a trade, profession, or similar group.48
8428411853JuxtapositionThe location of one thing adjacent to another to create an effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose.49
8428422472LitotesA figure of speech that emphasizes its subject by conscious understatement.50
8428431936LogosArgument by logic51
8428435972Loose SentenceA long sentence that starts with its main clause, which is followed by several dependent clauses and modifying phrases.52
8428447607MetaphorOne thing pictured as if it were something else, suggesting a likeness or analogy. An implict comparison or identification of one thing with another, without the use of like or as.53
8428465206MetonymyA figure of speech in which an attribute or commonly associated feature is used to name or designate something.54
8428487704ModifierAn adjective, adverb, phrase, or clause that modifies a noun, pronoun, or verb. The purpose of a modifier is usually to describe, focus, or qualify.55
8428528056MoodA feeling or ambiance resulting from the tone of a piece as well as the writer/narrator's attitude and point of view. It is a "feeling" that establishes the atmosphere in a work of literature or other discourse.56
8428547622NarrativeA mode of discourse that tells a story of some sort and it is based on sequences of connected events, usually presented in a straightforward, chronological framework.57
8428566321OnomatopoeiaA word capturing or approximating the sound of what is described. The purpose of these words is to make a passage more effective for the reader or listener.58
8429402589PacingDetermines how quickly or how slowly the writer takes a reader through a story59
8429424071Parallel StructureThe use of similar dorms in writing for nouns, verbs, phrases, or thoughts. In prose, recurrent syntactical similarity where several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed alike to show that their ideas are equal in importance. (also can be called parallelism)60
8429474640ParodyAn imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.61
8429486534PathosThat element in literature that stimulates pity or sorrow. In argument or persuasion it tends to be the evocation of pity.62
8429517809Periodic SentenceA long sentence in which the main clause is not completed until the end.63
8429527679PersonaVoice or mask that an author or speaker or performer puts in for a particular purpose.64
8429545314PersonificationTreating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by endowing it with human features or qualities.65
8429568228Point of ViewThe relation in which a narrator/author stands to a subject of discourse. Requires the reader to establish the historical perspective of what is being said.66
8429598336PropagandaThe spread of ideas and information to further a cause. In its negative sense, propaganda is the use of rumors, lies, disinformation, and scare tactics in order to damage or promote a cause.67
8429617185ProseThe ordinary form of written language without metrical structure in contrast to verse and poetry.68
8429631338PunA play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words.69
8429652548PurposeThe goal the speaker wants to achieve.70
8429662361RebuttalAn argument technique wherein opposing arguments are anticipated and countered.71
8429677572Refute/RefutationA denial of the validity of the opposing argument. In order to sound reasonable, a refutation often follows a concession that acknowledges that an opposing argument may be true or reasonable.72
8429714225RhetoricThe art of using words to persuade in writing or speaking.73
8429729078Rhetorical QuestionA question that is asked simply for the sake of stylistic effect and is not expected to be answered.74
8429749033Rhetorical Triangle(Aristotelian Triangle) a diagram that illustrates the interrelationship among speaker, audience, and subject in determining a text.75
8429770240SarcasmA form of verbal irony in which apparent praise is actually critical. Can be light, and gently poke fun at something, or it can be harsh and mean.76
8438351253SchemeArtful syntax; a deviation from the normal order of words. Common schemes include parallelism, juxtaposition, antithesis, and antimatabole.77
8438373847SimileA direct, explicit comparison of one thing to another, using the words like or as.78
8438379039Simple SentenceA sentence consisting of only one clause, with a single subject and predicate.79
8438385656SourceA firsthand document or primary reference work.80
8438388454StyleThe manner in which a writer combines and arranges words, shapes ideas, and utilizes syntax and structure.81
8438404585SubjectThe topic of a text. What the text is about.82
8438411348Subordinate/SubordinationThe process of linking two clauses in a sentence so that one clause is dependent on (or subordinate to) another. Contrast with coordination.83
8438427962SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part signifies a whole.84
8438434827SyntaxThe way words are put together to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. Basically, sentence structure.85
8438442430SynthesizeCombining two or more ideas in order to create something more complex in support of a new idea.86
8438450165ThemeThe central or dominant idea or focus of a work. The statement a passage makes about its subject.87
8438455255ThesisA statement or central idea that a writer puts forward at the beginning of an argument, and will support throughout the following text. It is a premise that the author believes to be true, and will give evidence for by way of facts or situations that reinforce this central idea.88
8438471968ToneThe attitude the narrator/author has towards the subject and theme. Based on particular stylistic devices employed by the author.89
8438487573TropeRhetorical device that produces a shift in the meaning of words--traditionally contrasted with a scheme, which changes only the shape of the phrase.90
8438501474UnderstatementA figure of speech in which the writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.91
8438509110VoiceThe acknowledged or unacknowledged source of the words of the story; the speaker's or narrator's particular "take" on an idea based on a particular passage and how all the elements of the style of the piece come together to express his/her feelings.92
8438526373ZeugmaA grammatically correct construction in which a word, usually a verb or adjective, is applied to two or more nouns without being repeated.93
8462831860SatireA literary work that holds up human failings to ridicule and censure.94
8462831861Post hoc ergo propter hocA happened before B; therefore, A caused B95
8462840761NeologismA new word. (Example- "selfie")96

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