Rhetorical Terms Page 2

quality of a piece of writing in which all the parts contribute to the development of the central idea, theme, or organizing principle

language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or mind

implied or suggested meaning of a word because of its association in the reader's mind

repetition of identical consonant sounds within two or more words in close proximity, as in boost/best; it can also be seen within several compound words, such as fulfill and ping-pong

a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun; it may also be a paradox or difficult problem

the process of moving from a general rule to a specific example

literal meaning of a word as defined

the picturing in words of something or someone through detailed observation if color, motion, sound, taste, smell, and touch; one of the four modes of discourse

word choice, an element of style; diction creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning. Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang

writing whose purpose is to instruct or to teach. A didactic work is usually formal and focuses on more or ethical concerns. Didactic writing may be fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking

spoken or written language, including literary works; the four traditionally classified modes of discourse are description, exposition, narration, and persuasion

harsh or grating sounds that do not go together

when the reader is aware of an inconsistency between a fictional or nonfictional character's perception of a situation and the truth of that situation

when a writer appeals to reader's emotions (often through pathos) to excite and involve them in the argument 

the use of a quotation at the beginning of a work that hints at its theme. Hemingway begins The Sun Also Rises with two epigraphs. One of them is "You are all a lost generation" by Gertrude Stein

when a writer tries to persuade the audience to respect and believe him or her based on a presentation of image of self through the text. Reputation is sometimes a factor in ethical appeal, but in all cases the aim is to gain the audiences confidence 

a more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or uncomfortable. "He went to his final reward" is a common euphemism for "he died." Euphemisms are also often used to obscure the reality of a situation. The military uses "collateral damage" to indicate civillian deaths in a military operation

A succession of harmonious sounds used in poetry or prose; the opposite of cacophony

An individual instance taken to be representative of a general pattern. Arguing by example is considered reliable if examples are demonstrable true or factual as well as relevant 

The art of interpreting or discovering the meaning of a text. Explication usually involves close reading and special attention to figurative language 

the immediate revelation to the audience of the setting and other background information necessary for understanding the plot; also, explanation; one of the four modes of discourse