rhetorical question
-questions for which the answer is known a head of time
-question for which the answer is not sought
non- sequitur
statement or conclusion not logically following what comes before it
extended metaphor
a metaphor that's introduced and continues throughout the entire text
grammatical parallelism
when words, phrases, or clauses share the same grammatical function in a context
periodic sentence
when a sentence begins, drifts away from the main idea, then returns and completes itself for effect.
paradox
something that seems self-contradictory and against common sense but is in fact true
Ex. Giant Shrimp
allegory
a story that has a moral meaning and whose characters represent ideas or concepts
epigraph
short quoted statement at beggining of a text intended to suggest it's theme
apology
a defense of a viewpoint or belief
analogy
comparison btwn 2 things
metonymy
when a closly associated term to something is used to represent that something
ex. white house ---> president
synecdoche
when a part of something is used to represent all of something
Ex. Wheels represent a car
ad hominem
argument directed toward a person, not their position
red herring
where something is presented to divert from the real issue
excluded middle
when only two opposite positions are presented w/ nothing in-betwen
Figurative language
Language that departs from everyday literal use and meaning
Abstract Language
Language that represents intangible concepts and ideas
Ex. Love, freedom, patriotism
Concrete language
Language that is perceived by the senses
Ex. Chair, person, blue, smelly, etc.
irony
outcome is not what is expected
verbal irony
when one says one thing but mean something else
dramatic irony
when the audience knows something the characters don't
syllogism
logical construction where if a, then b, then c
panegyric
written or spoken praise
polemic
strong written/verbal attack on someone or something
caricature
deliberately distorted depiction of something or someone for effect
aphorism
statement contaning a general truth
Ex. Sow as you reap
ellipses
omit some parts of a sentence or event, allowing to fill the gaps
usually written between the sentences as "...
exposition
comprehensive explanation of an idea
inductive reasoning
reasoning from the specifics to a general conclusion
deductive reasoning
reasoning from the general to the specific
straw man
the substitution of an exaggerated position for an opponent's position, so it can be easily attacked
allusion
an indirect or passing reference
illusion
something deliberately deceiving the senses
anecdote
a short interesting story about true events
ambiguity
word, phrase, or texts which contains more than one meaning
aesthetic
concerned with the appreciation of the beauty of the text
antithesis
two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to recieve contrasting effect
antecedent
A word that a pronoun replaces
Understatement
intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is
Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Antimetabole
Repetition of words in reverse order
Tenor and vehicle
components of a metaphor
-tenor-receives the attribute
=vehicle-object who's attribute is being borrowed from
Genre
category of literature
connotation
emotional effect of a word
denotation
literal meaning of a word
in medias res
in the middle of the narrative
declarative sentence
makes a statement
imperative sentence
gives a command
interrogative sentence
asks a question
invective
insulting, abusive, or highly critical language
*vehicle for ad hominem
Persona
personality or character that is perceived by others
discourse
written or spoken communication among a group of people
occasion (n)
a particular time when something happens
Refutation
A denial of the validity of an opposing argument
begging the question
A fallacy in which the writer assumes the statement under examination is true.
Encomium
A formal expression of praise
Narrative
anything written or spoken with characteristics of a story
Homily
a talk on a religious or moral issue
axiom
a universal truth
ethos (n)
persuasion through credibility where the evidence lies in the speaker
logos (n)
persuasion through logic or reasoning where the evidence lies in the text
pathos (n)
Persuasion through logic or reasoning where the evidence lies in the audience
double entendre
statement that has 2 meaning, one which COULD be risque
tautology
unnecessary repetition of an idea or concept
motif
a recurring theme, subject or idea that does not make a statement
memoirs
a historical account written from personal knowledge
cliche (n)
a worn-out idea or overused expression
Parataxis
a series of clauses that do not have connecting words
nemesis
inescapable agent of someone's downfall
versimilitude
appearance of being real
Style
the way an author uses words for expression
reductio ad absurdum
reduction to an absurdity
disprove of a proposition by showing an absurdity to which it leads when carried to it's logical conclusion
ex) "you are what you eat
Utopia
society characterized by bliss
Dystopia
society characterized by misery
innuendo
naughty reference