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Simile
indirect comparison that uses like or as to link the differing items in the comparison
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Logos
An author's use of reason and evidence to arrive at conclusions as opposed to emotion. Often authors use a framework that sets up a chain of reasoning to arrive at a specific conclusion.
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Litotes
to understate something by denying the opposite of the idea in mind-often using a not-un construction
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Syllogism
The format of a formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
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Hyperbole
extreme exaggeration, often humorous, it can also be ironic; the opposite of understatement
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Enthymeme
a two part line of logical thought in which one premise is implied
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Ethos
how an author establishes his/her credibility, trustworthiness or knowledge to the audience
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Metonymy
a figure of speech in which a representative term is used for a larger idea
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Anecdote
A story or brief episode told by the writer to illustrate a point
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Sarcasm
A comic technique that ridicules through caustic language, irony, and wit to mock or scorn
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Allusion
A reference to anuther more famous work (mythology) contained in a work
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Metaphor
A direct comparison between dissimilar things
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Antithesis
The presentation of two contrasting images. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
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Pathos
The aspects of a text that elicit pity from the audience. An appeal to emotion can be used as a means to persuade.
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Polysyndeton
The deliberate repetition of similar conjuctions between words, phrases, or clauses.
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Onomatopoeia
Words that sound like the sound they represent.
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Satire
A mode of writing based on ridicule, that criticizes the foibles and follies of society without necessarily offering a solution.
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Synecdoche
A figure of speech that utilizes a part as representative of the whole.
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Apposition
A noun that further describes or clarifies a noun standing next to it.
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Euphemism
A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropiate or uncomfortable.
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Red herring
An intentional stray from the topic at hand-to distract audience from topic.
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Allegory
A work that functions on a symbolic level.
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Paradox
A statement that seems contradictory on the surface, yet contains a measure of truth.
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Parallelism
The presentation of several equivalent ideas phrased in similar grammatical structure.
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Irony
An unexpected twist or contrast between what happens and what was intended or expected to happen.
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