| Term | Definition |
|---|
| logical fallacy | method of reasoning that does not have a sound basis in reason |
| ad hominem argument | argument attacks a person instead of the argument or stance |
| alliteration | repitition of the same sounds at the beginning of words in a group |
| allegory | moral story with symbolic representation of ideas through fictional characters |
| allusion | direct or indirect reference; casual mention |
| anaphora | the repretition of a word, or set of words at the beginning of successive phrases |
| anecdote | short account of an interesting event |
| chaismus | inverted relationship between elements of parallel phrases eg) it's not the men in my life, it's the life in my men |
| qualifier | a limit of some kind |
| annotation | comment or note added to a text |
| antithesis | placement of words in parallel structure to form a balanced contrast of ideas eg) give me liberty or give me death |
| antonomasia | substitution of a common word or phrase for a proper name eg) "a Benedict Arnold" for a traitor |
| aphorism | saying that describes common observation or belief |
| apostrophe | form of personification that adresses to a personified abstract idea eg) Death, be not proud |
| assonance | repetition of similar vowel sounds in a groups of words |
| begging the question | point being argued is assumed to be true without any logical support |
| conceit | an elaborate, clever metaphor |
| consonance | repetition of similar consonant sounds in a group of words |
| either/ or reasoning | argument maintains that only two alternatives exist when in fact there are more options eg) You're either with us or against us |
| epigraph | quotation or motto at the beginning of a piece of writing, usually to establish a theme |
| eponym | word or phrase derived from the name of a person |
| euphemism | less offensive substitution for an unpleasant word or phrase |
| homily | moralizing lecture |
| hyperbole | an extravagant exaggeration |
| invective | abusive expression; insulting language |
| irony | language, actions, or situations contrary to what is intended or expected |
| verbal irony | language that expresses a meaning that is the opposite of the intended meaning eg) sarcasm |
| dramatic irony | used to heighten dramatic intensity by contrasting character's limited understanding to the audience (often used in Shakespeare, audience knows something character doesn't) |
| situational irony | what happens is the opposite of what is expected |
| cosmic irony | irony interpreted to be a result of the intervention of a greater external force (fate) |
| litotes | understatement expressing a thought by denying its opposite; used to either amplify or minimize the emphasis of the claim |
| metaphor | direct comparison of two unlike things to suggest a similarity |
| meiosis | understatement used to minimize the emphasis of the claim |
| metonymy | use of the name of one thing or idea to describe another related thing or idea; actual part for the whole or the actual whole for the part eg) Washington refers to the government of USA |
| moral | lesson expressed in a story |
| narrative | story or an account of an event |
| onomatopoeia | use of a word or phrase that imitates a sound |
| oxymoron | combination of two contradictory words or phrases for dramatic effect |
| parable | short story that teaches a truth, principle, or moral lesson through comparison |
| paradox | statement that seems to be contradictory or unbelievable but that may actually be true |
| parody | humorous imitation of a serious work |
| pathetic fallacy | assignment of human characteristics to inanimate objects or nature in an indirect and implicit manner |
| personification | assignment of human characteristics to inanimate objects or nature in a direct and explicit manner |
| prose | ordinary language (as opposed to poetry) |
| pun | play on words suggesting different meanings |
| purple prose | features exaggerated sentiment or extravagant and flowery language |
| red herring | something that diverts attention from a central issue |
| rhetorical question | question posed without the expectation of an answer and used to emphasize an idea or encourage reflection |
| sarcasm | use of verbal irony in a harsh or mocking manner for negative purposes |
| satire | use of irony, ridicule, or wit to expose and/or mock negative qualities |
| semantics | linguistic study of words, interpretation of the meaning of words |
| simile | comparison of two unlike things to suggest similarity using "like" or "as" |
| straw man | opponent's position is restated so that it is easier to attack, then the restated position is attributed to the opponent |
| syllepsis | use of a word in association with two or more other words that creates an incongruity in meaning eg) he lit the candle and my heart on fire. |
| symbolism | use of a representative figure to suggest an idea or attribute significance |
| synecdoche | metaphor in which the part is used to represent the whole or the whole is used to represent the part eg) wheels for car |
| thesis | statement of the purpose |
| transition | word, phrase, or sentence that links ideas |
| wit | amusing language |
Combine with other sets
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