| Term | Definition |
|---|
| allusion | passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication |
| aphorism | A concise and often witty statement of wisdom or opinion, |
| apostrophe | the sign ('), as used: to indicate the omission of one or more letters in a word, whether unpronounced, as in o'er for over, or pronounced, as in gov't for government; to indicate the possessive case, as in man's; or to indicate plurals of abbreviations and symbols, as in several M.D.'s, 3's. |
| antecedent | a preceding circumstance, event, object, style, phenomenon, etc./The important events and occurrences in one's early life. |
| colloquialism | a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech or language/ some sort of region |
| chiasmus | in rhetoric, figure of speech in which 2 or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a large point |
| didactic | intended for instruction; instructive |
| idiom | an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements,nd that is not a constituent of a larger expression of like characteristics. |
| euphemism | the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh or blunt |
| ad hominem argument | consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the source making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim. The process of proving or disproving the claim is thereby subverted, and the argumentum ad hominem works to change the subject. |
| ethos | 3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character's action rather than his or her thought or emotion. |
| pathos | The quality or character of those emotions, traits, or experiences which are personal, and therefore restricted and evanescent; transitory and idiosyncratic dispositions or feelings as distinguished from those which are universal and deep-seated in character; -- opposed to ethos. |
| logos | argument from reason/An argument needs to be logical |
| pedantic | overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, esp. in teaching. |
| rhetoric | 3. the study of the effective use of language. 4. the ability to use language effectively. 5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse. 6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory. 7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience. |
| sarcasm | harsh or bitter derision or irony. 2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark |
| hyperbole | obvious and intentional exaggeration. |
| abase | to reduce or lower as in rank, reputation or estimation |
| abnegate | to refuse or deny oneself; reject;renounce, give up |
| acquiesce | to submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent |
| affable | showing warmth and friendliness; pleasant |
| articulate | using language easily and fluently; made clear, distinct and precise in relation to other parts |
| ardent | burning,fiery, or hot, having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate |
| apathy | lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting |
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