RHETORIC

� the art or study of speaking and writing effectively

� the art of using language as a means to persuade.

� According to Aristotle, “the faculty of observing in any given case, the available means of persuasion.”

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any given case, the available means of persuasion.” (text page 1)

AUDIENCE

� A group of people seeing a performance, but for purposes of our class, those who will read what you write or listen to your message. Those

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write or listen to your message. Those you are trying to convince or persuade, particularly YOUR INSTRUCTOR and your AP scorer/assessor & your college professors! Your peers who judge what you write/say.

CONTEXT� The occasion or time in which something was

written or said. For example, when we speak of “historical context” we mean the time in history in which something occurred. The historical context of the short story “Harrison Bergernon” was written was shortly after the Communist red scare and the

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was shortly after the Communist red scare and the upheaval of the Cold War. You can’t understand the significance of the story unless you can understand its “context,” or what was going on in history when it was written.

PURPOSE

� The goal that a speaker wants to achieve.

To determine purpose, ask yourself, “What

do I want to accomplish with this piece of

writing?” Or, when reading someone else’s

writing, ask, “What was the writer trying to

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writing, ask, “What was the writer trying to

get us to do, think, feel, say or believe?”

EXEGESIS

� The art of close reading in order to interpret a text. Exegesis is a literary term denoting close analysis and interpretation of a text to discover the original author's exact intent and meaning. It’s typically used to unlock the meaning of poetry or religious

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used to unlock the meaning of poetry or religious text, but can also be done with any type of writing.� Students in AP English classes will be expected to utilize

on-the-spot exegesis to interpret a text they’ve never seen before and write a coherent essay about the author’s purpose and intent, and to discuss the rhetorical techniques utilized.

ANNOTATION

� Annotation is the method of ACTIVE READING, in which readers are actively “marking” a text or piece of writing with a pen or pencil in hand. (If you are not allowed to write in your text or novel, use Post-It notes.) Annotation involves circling words, using

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notes.) Annotation involves circling words, using margin notes and jotting down ideas about sentences, words, phrases, figures of speech, etcC which you can write or speak about later in a class discussion or essay. College professors EXPECT you to annotate a text you are reading. It is similar to taking notes about what you read. (See pages 40-41 of textbook.)

THE RHETORICAL TRIANGLE

� Sometimes referred to the Aristotelian triangle, this

triangle describes the interaction between the

subject, speaker and audience (also known as the

subject, writer and reader. It also describes how this

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subject, writer and reader. It also describes how this

interaction determines the structure and language

of the argument, or the text/image that establishes

a position.

PERSONA

� The character the speaker creates when he or she writes or speaks, and which depends on the context, purpose, subject and audience. � Consider: is the writer/speaker communicating as a poet,

comedian, scholar, teacher, parent, concerned citizen, etc.?

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comedian, scholar, teacher, parent, concerned citizen, etc.?

� What ‘persona’ did the author of The Things They Carried assume? Why?

� What persona did the author of Slaughterhouse Fiveassume? Why?

� If something is written from the first person point of view, does it mean that the persona that the author has assumed is necessarily autobiographical? Why or why not?

POINT OF VIEW� The perspective from which a story is told –first person, third

person limited, third-person omniscient. The vantage point

from which the story is told.

� The story recounted in Faulkner’s novel, The Sound and

the Fury, contains multiple points of view; it is told in a

stream-of-consciousness mode, and so the reader gets

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stream-of-consciousness mode, and so the reader gets

multiple versions of the same episode over and over again

that differ ever so slightly in descriptive details.

PATHOS

� One of the parts of the Aristotelean triangle, pathos is a rhetorical mode of persuasion in which the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s feelings, passions or emotions. Comes from the

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feelings, passions or emotions. Comes from the Greek word, pathos, which means “passion,” or “experience. Advertisements tend to be pathos-driven.� Example: Some charities advertise using pictures of

starving children with distended stomachs and protruding ribs, to appeal to the pathos of potential donors to entice them to send money to help end the suffering of innocent victims.

ETHOS

� One of the parts of the Aristotelean triangle, ethos is a rhetorical mode of persuasion in which the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s ethical or moral sense to make

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audience’s ethical or moral sense to make the “right” choice, often based on the authority of the speaker or the writer.� Example: Matanzas Pirates have the reputation

of always making the right choices, so Dr. Pryor expects conduct at this evening’s Homecoming Game to be exemplary.

LOGOS

� One of the parts of the Aristotelean triangle, logos is a rhetorical mode of persuasion in which the writer or speaker appeals to the audience’s sense of logic, or reason. Advertisements based on logos typically use research statistics, percentages or studies to

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use research statistics, percentages or studies to logically and reasonably prove a point. � Example: “Ninety-five percent of dentists surveyed

recommended Crest for their patients, and the ADA has found that those who used Crest regularly reduced cavities by more than 50% over those who used another brand of toothpaste.”

ASSERTION

� an unsupported statement or claim

� Example:

� Your bold assertion that the competition was

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� Your bold assertion that the competition was

judged unfairly is totally groundless; do you

have any concrete proof to support this

outrageous claim?

CLAIM

� A strong assertion; to assert strongly.

� An unsupported affirmation or

assertion.

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assertion.

� Example: He bolstered his claim that

there was no God by pointing out that no

one has ever seen this being with his/her

own eyes and that no physical proof

exists of any diety.

REBUTTAL

� A speech or statement which counters,

refutes or contradicts what another has

said or written. An opposing viewpoint

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said or written. An opposing viewpoint

that challenges what has been said or

written. Evidence which disproves

what has been said or written.

The Classical Model of Rhetorical

Arrangement (five part structure)

� Classical speakers/writers outlined a five-part structure for an oratory, speech or argument that writers and speakers still use today, although

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speakers still use today, although perhaps not always consciously. Don’t confuse it with “five paragraphs.” In the next five slides, we will examine the five parts of a classic, rhetorical argument.

INTRODUCTION (exordium)

� The introduction introduces the reader to the subject under discussion. In Latin, exordiummeans “beginning of a web.” This introduction can be an anecdote, a single paragraph or several, but it must ensnare or

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paragraph or several, but it must ensnare or draw the reader/listener into the text or speech (‘the web’) by piquing their interest, challenging them or otherwise getting their attention. This is where a writer may decide to use logos, ethos or pathos.

Narration (narratio)

� This is the portion of the argument where the writer provides factual information and background material about the subject at hand, and begins the development of the

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hand, and begins the development of the argument. Usually this part of the model establishes why the subject needs to be addressed. Usually this part of the work appeals to logos, but it often can appeal to pathos because the writer may attempt to evoke an emotional response to the issue.

Confirmation (confirmatio)

� This is usually the major part of the text (we often call it the “body”) which includes the development of the proof (support: facts, ideas, reasons,

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(support: facts, ideas, reasons, examples, statistics) needed to make the writer’s case. It is the “nuts and bolts” of the essay. The confirmatiogenerally makes strong appeals to logic/logos.

Refutation (refutatio)

� This is a counterargument. It is a

bridge between the proof and the

conclusion. It presents opposing

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conclusion. It presents opposing

viewpoints and will refute them. The

appeal of the counterarguments is

usually an appeal to logos, or logic.

Conclusion (peroratio)

� This portion of the essay model brings

the work to a satisfying close. It can be

one paragraph or several. There is

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one paragraph or several. There is

usually an appeal to pathos. Rather

than simply repeating what has gone

before, the conclusion brings all the

writer’s ideas together and answers

the question “so what?”

Patterns of Development

(rhetorical modes)

� A pattern of development is a way of organizing an essay or of organizing almost any written or spoken work according to purpose. There are several major methods of development (rhetorical modes). Over the next several months, we will examine the major

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the next several months, we will examine the major rhetorical modes, which are: narration, description, process analysis, exemplification, comparison & contrast, classification & division, definition, cause & effect and persuasive argumentation. Sometimes an essay or speech will contain more than one rhetorical mode or pattern of development within it.

Narration

� The first rhetorical mode, narration refers to telling a story or recounting a series of events. It can be based on personal experience or on knowledge gained from

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experience or on knowledge gained from reading or experience. Narration is often in chronological order, and generally uses concrete detail. It always has a point of view, and may have dialogue. Narration is NOT simply telling a story. It is crafting a story that supports your THESIS.

THESIS

� An statement put forth in an argument, which is generally followed by evidence or examples to prove it.

� The attitude or position of a speaker or writer with the purpose of proving or supporting it.

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the purpose of proving or supporting it.

� A thesis is also the answer to a judgment type question. � Examples:

� Immigrants are revitalizing America.

� The D.A.R.E. program is schools is ineffectual in reducing drug use among young people.

� The astronomical salaries athletes earn has marred professional sports.

DEVICES

� Devices are techniques or methods used

in writing or speaking, to bring about the

desired effect or response.

Examples:

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� Examples:

� One type of rhetorical device is a rhetorical question,

in which you ask something but you don’t expect an

answer. It’s purely for effect, such as when you mother

says, “How stupid do you think I am.” That device is a

rhetorical question. She doesn’t expect an answer.

� Alliteration is a poetic sound device. She sells

seashells by the seashore.

DICTION

� Refers to the writer’s choice of words, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness or effectiveness. Diction creates an author’s style. Everyone USES diction, so in an essay, you should never say, “The author uses diction.” You should

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never say, “The author uses diction.” You should DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN how the diction is used to accomplish the author’s purpose and reach the intended audience. You have to describe why and how the author used the specific words he did. Why, for example, did he say “retch” instead of “vomit.” What was the effect of this diction?

SYNTAX

� The grammatical arrangement or words on a page.

� The ordering of words in sentences and phrases.

� ON THE A.P. Exam, don’t say, “The author uses syntax.” DUH. All writers and speakers use syntax.

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syntax.” DUH. All writers and speakers use syntax. Explain HOW he/she uses syntax. Talk about the way the sentences and words are arranged in the author’s syntax.� Example: Yoda’s syntax typically includes anastrophe, as

his words seem to be out-of-order, grammatically, with the subject almost always at the end of the sentence.

VOICE

� Voice is the dominating ethos (emotion) or tone of a literary work. The voice existing in a literary work is not always identifiable with the actual views of the author.

� Definition: Voice has two meanings as it concerns creative writers: � Voice is the author's style, the quality that makes his or her writing

unique, and which conveys the author's attitude, personality, and character; or

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character; or

� Voice is the characteristic speech and thought patterns of a first-personnarrator; a persona.

� Because voice has so much to do with the reader's experience of a work of literature, it is one of the most important elements of a piece of writing.

� Also Known As: persona� Example: If you’ve ever read Dave Barry’s comic columns in the Miami

Herald, you’ll notice he has a distinctive humorous voice; his commentary can’t be confused with the stodgy prose of the editorial writers from the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal.

TONE

� Similar to mood, describes the author’s attitude toward his or her material, the audience or both. Tone is easier to determine in spoken, rather than in written, language.

� In literature, the manner in which written words might be said (for example, sarcastic, mild, witty, angry). Tone is hard to

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(for example, sarcastic, mild, witty, angry). Tone is hard to separate from mood, but in general the tone of a work can gradually shift (perhaps from sarcastic to ironic or from angry to remorseful), while mood describes the feeling of the entire piece. The tone of a work is produced mainly by the writer's diction or choice of words, but stylistic choices concerning syntax, line or sentence length, imagery, and so forth may also contribute.

ATTITUDE

� Typically a human emotion, it’s the author’s “feeling” toward what he/she is writing or speaking about. Sometimes also called “tone.” It also is like the author’s perspective. As you are reading, you must

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perspective. As you are reading, you must try to use clues in the author’s writing to determine his/her attitude toward the subject of the work of literature. Most of the vocabulary words we’ve had this year are ways to describe the author’s tone or attitude.

DESCRIPTION

� Description is a major rhetorical mode of writing or pattern of development that is closely allied with narration because it includes many specific

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because it includes many specific details. It emphasizes the sense by painting a picture of how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes or feels. Description is often used to evoke a mood or atmosphere.

MOOD

� Mood is the prevailing atmosphere or

emotional aura of a word. Setting, tone and

events can affect mood, as can diction and

syntax.

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syntax.

Example: The mood of Edgar Allen Poe’s

short stories is always the same; his Gothic

tales are always gloomy and pessimistic.

TROPE

� A trope is a figure of speech that uses a word aside from its literal meaning. A trope is essentially artful writing or diction, which is descriptive. Examples

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diction, which is descriptive. Examples of tropes are :simile, metaphor, irony and hyperbole.

� Example, “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million timesC.” (The trope used here is hyperbole.)

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

� Language that includes figures of speech, rather than literal language, used to enhance writing and speaking. The major types of figurative language are: metaphor,

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types of figurative language are: metaphor, metonymy, simile, personification, synedoche and irony. Watch CAREFULLY for author’s use of figurative language as you read, and annotate text as you read when you encounter figurative language. Note the instances and patterns.

METAPHOR

� A figure of speech using implied comparison of two seemingly unlike things, or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting similarity. Does not

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other, suggesting similarity. Does not use “like” or “as”

� Example:� Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player

that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.” (Macbeth)

EXTENDED METAPHOR

� A metaphor (a comparison) that is developed at great length, occurring frequently or throughout an entire work or passage.

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or passage.

� Example:

� “The teacher descended upon the exams, sank his talons into their pages, ripped the answers to shreds, and then, perching in his chair, began to digest.”

SIMILE

� A figure of speech which compares

two things, using the words “like” or

“as.”

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“as.”

� Simile: “That girl is as ugly as a toad.”

� Metaphor: That girl isn’t as ugly as a

toad; that girl IS a toad!

ANALOGY

� A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them. An analogy can explain something unfamiliar by associating it with, or pointing out its similarity to, something more familiar. Analogies make writing more vivid, imaginative” or intellectually engaging. (A metaphor is similar to an analogy)

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to an analogy)

� Example: Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.”

� Example: “ Harrison Ford is like one of those sports cars that advertise acceleration from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in three or four seconds. He can go from slightly broody inaction to ferocious reaction in approximately the same time span.”

IMAGERY

� Imagery is sensory details or figurative language used to describe or arouse emotion. May use terms related to the five senses, along with other figures of speech, especially metaphor and simile, to create a strong, unified sensory impression.

� Example: The hot July sun beat relentlessly down, casting an orange glare over the farm buildings, the fields, the pond. Even the usually cool

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glare over the farm buildings, the fields, the pond. Even the usually cool green willows bordering the pond hung wilted and dry. Our sun-baked backs ached for relief. We quickly pulled off our sweaty clothes and plunged into the pond, but the tepid water only stifled us and we soon climbed onto the brown, dusty bank. Our parched throats longed for something cool--a strawberry ice, a tall frosted glass of lemonade.

� We pulled on our clothes, crackling underbrush, the sharp briars pulling at our damp jeans, until we reached the watermelon patch. As we began to cut open the nearest melon, we could smell the pungent skin mingling with the dusty odor of the dry earth. Suddenly, the melon gave way with a crack, revealing the deep, pink sweetness inside.

METONOMY

� A term from the Greek meaning “subsitute name” or “changed label,” metonomy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another

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object is substituted for that of another closely related with it:� Example:

� “The White House today announcedC”

� “The Fed slashed interest ratesC”

� “Wall Street is down two-hundred pointsC”

� “The Vatican denouncedC”

SYNEDOCHE

� A type of metonomy in which the

speaker or writer uses the part of

something to represent the whole.

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something to represent the whole.

� Example: “The White House announced

todayC”

� Example, “I can’t go out because my

wheels are in the shop.”

PERSONIFICATION

� Representing an abstract quality or

idea as a person. Giving human

attributes to a non person.

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attributes to a non person.

� “My teddy bear is my best friend.”

� “The tree was sad.”

� “The branches waved good-bye to me.”

HYPERBOLE

� Excessive exaggeration or overstatement (from the Greek, meaning “excess”)

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“excess”)

� “I’ve told you a million times.”

� “He’s got tons of money.”

� “His feet are as big as barges.”

IRONY� Expression of something which

is contrary to the intended meaning. The words say one thing but mean another. The contrast between what is stated

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contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant.

� Example:� “You can say that again.”

� “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into.”

ALLITERATION

� The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words.

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� Examples

� She sells seashells by the seashore.

� Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

ZEUGMA

� A figure of speech describing the joining or

two or more different parts of a sentence

with the common verb, even though, in

context, the verb has two different

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context, the verb has two different

meanings.

� Examples:

� “The addict kicked the habit and then the bucket

� To wage war and peace.

� He lost his coat and his temper.

Process Analysis

� Process analysis is one of the major rhetorical modes or patterns of development. It is a type of writing which explains how something works, how to do

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explains how something works, how to do something, or how something was done. Many self-help books are essentially process analysis. In process analysis writing, make sure to use transitions that mark the sequence of major steps, stages or phases of the process.

TRANSITION

� A word, phrase, sentence, paragraph

or longer passage or writing that

serves as a “link” in the writing.

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serves as a “link” in the writing.

� Example: Words such as however,

therefore, then, next, are often used as

transitions.

COLLOQUIALISM

� The use of informalities in speech or

writing. They can include local or

regional dialect. Slang.

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regional dialect. Slang.

� Examples:

� “ain’t” “gonna” “Y’all” “It was raining

cats and dogs.” “I’m so hungry I could

eat a horse.”

GENRE

� a kind of literary or artistic work

� writing style: a style of expressing yourself in writing

� music genre: an expressive style of music

� a class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a

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� a class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a characteristic form or technique

� A type, kind or style of something

� Some literary genres include: fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, poetry, drama, etcC

� Some musical genres include: jazz, pop, rhythm & blues, classical, etc..

EUPHEMISM

� From the Greek for “good speech,” a euphemism is a more agreeable or

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euphemism is a more agreeable or less offensive way of saying something that is unpleasant or offensive.

� Examples: � saying “passed away” instead of “died”

� Saying “euthanasia” instead of “mercy killing”

� Saying “termination of pregnancy” instead of “abortion”

IDIOM

� A common expression that has acquired a

meaning that differs from its literal meaning.

� Examples:

“He has ants in his pants.”

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� “He has ants in his pants.”

� “He’s on fire.”

� “She’s green with envy.”

� “Mike’s got a green thumb.”

� “The cat’s out of the bag.”

� “Eat your words.”

� “Swallow your pride.”

EXEMPLIFICATION

� One of the major rhetorical modes or

patterns of development,

exemplification is providing a series of

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exemplification is providing a series of

examples, such as facts, specific

cases or instances, and then turning a

general idea into a concrete one by

making your argument more

persuasive to a reader.

INDUCTION/INDUCTIVE REASONING

� A type of reasoning using examples as logical proof.

� The process of making inferences based upon observed patterns, or simple repetition. Often used in reference to predictions about will happen or

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in reference to predictions about will happen or does happen, based upon what has happened

� A kind of reasoning in which the conclusion is based on several past observations

� Making a generalization from specific cases; used to formulate a general rule after examining a pattern.

DEDUCTION/DEDUCTIVE REASONSING

� deduction: reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)

Using logic to arrive at a conclusion

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� Using logic to arrive at a conclusion from a given premise

� a logic model in which assumptions or hypotheses are made on the basis of general principles

SYLLOGISM

� deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises

� Examples of syllogisms:� If I do not wake up, then I cannot go to work. If I cannot go to work, then I

will not get paid. ...

Major Premise: Sixty men can do a piece of work sixty times as quickly as

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� Major Premise: Sixty men can do a piece of work sixty times as quickly as one man.

� Minor Premise: One man can dig a posthole in sixty seconds;therefore—

� Conclusion: Sixty men can dig a posthole in one second.

PARALIPSIS

� The technique of drawing

attention to something by

claiming not to mention it.

� Examples:

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� Examples:

� “I will not speak of her unsavoury

past.”

� “Far be it from me to mention his

indiscretions in public.”

� “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you

to keep your eyes on your own

paper.”

BEGGING THE QUESTION

� A technique used in argument or persuasion in which someone merely restates his/her position as the conclusion. Often called “circular reasoning,” this occurs when the believability of the evidence depends on the believability of the claim. In other

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depends on the believability of the claim. In other words, one assumes a statement to be true when it has not been proven to be so. � Examples:

� Abortion is the unjustified killing of a human being, and as such, is murder. Murder is illegal, so abortion should be illegal.

� “Past life memories” prove that people have had past lives, because there can be no other source of these memories other than past lives.

OXYMORON

� From the Greek for “pointedly foolish,” this is

a figure of speech wherein the author

groups apparently contradictory terms

together to suggest a paradox.

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together to suggest a paradox.

� Examples:

� “pretty ugly”

� “freezer burn”

� “Hell’s Angel’s”

� “silent scream”

� “Peacekeeper missile”

RHETORICAL QUESTION

� A question asked for effect

with no answer expected.

� Examples:

� “Why are you wasting my

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� “Why are you wasting my

time?”

� “Do I look stupid to you?”

� “Are you out of your mind?”

� “Am I a mind-reader?”

ALLUSION

� A direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as to an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. Allusions can be historical, literary, religious or mythical.

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religious or mythical.

� Examples:� John returned the wallet he found; he is such a Good Samaritan.

� We live in a post 9/11 world.

� Novel title: The Sound & the Fury (from a Shakespearean soliloquy in Macbeth)

APHORISM

� A statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principle. A short, pithy, wise or witty statement. (Ben Franklin was famous for his aphorisms):

Examples:

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� Examples:� Lost time is never found again. (Franklin)

� Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see. (Twain)

� Profanity is the produce of an unsophisticated mind (Mrs. Nahirny)

� You have two ears and one mouth; respect the ratio. (Mrs. Nahirny)

EPIGRAPH

� A quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work that is suggestive of the theme. If you can think of an appropriate epigraph, it is a wise strategy to incorporate it into the beginning of your (AP) essays.

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(AP) essays. � Example: “In the town they tell the story of the great

pearl�if this story is a parable, perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it.” (epigraph at the beginning of Steinbeck’s The Pearl)

� Example: “If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.” (Juan Ramon Jimenez –epigraph at the beginning of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.)

Comparison and Contrast

� One of the major rhetorical modes or

patterns of development in writing,

compare and contrast is intended to

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compare and contrast is intended to

juxtapose two things to highlight their

similarities and differences.

JUXTAPOSITION

� Describing opposite things by setting them side by side; putting contrasting examples side by side.

� Example, “In the movie ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’, the

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‘Good Morning, Vietnam’, the song ‘What a Wonderful World’ plays in the background while images of death, violence, war and destruction are being shown on the big screen.”

PARALLELISM

� method of comparison of two ideas in which each is developed in the same grammatical structure. Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Civilization" contains this example of parallelism: Raphael paints wisdom; Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakespeare

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Handel sings it, Phidias carves it, Shakespeare writes it, Wren builds it, Columbus sails it

� the use of similar grammatical constructions to express ideas that are related or equal in importance. For example: The sun rises. The sun sets.

� similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses. For example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” (Julius Caesar)

PARADOX� A statement that appears to be

contradict itself, or is opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection, contains some degree of truth or validity.

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� Example:� “War is peace; freedom is slavery;

ignorance is strength.” (George Orwell, 1984)

� “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. (C.S. Lewis)

� “I can resist anything except temptation.” (Oscar Wilde)

FLASHBACK (analepsis)

� A scene that interrupts the normal chronological sequence of events in a story to depict something that happened at an earlier time.

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earlier time.Example: In Slaughterhouse Five,

Vonnegut utilized flashback to reveal to his readers how Billy Pilgrim had become so traumatized and “unstuck” in time due to his experiences as a POW in the firebombing of Dresden during WWII.

AMBIGUITY

� The multiple meanings, either

intentional or unintentional, of a word,

phrase, sentence or passage.

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phrase, sentence or passage.

� Example: “He ate the cookies on the

couch” could mean he ate the cookies

while he was sitting on the couch. Or it

could mean he at the cookies that WERE

sitting on the couch.

ANAPHORA

� The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or lines.

� Examples:

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� Examples:� “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Julius Caesar

� “To raise a happy, healthy and hopeful child, it takes a family; it takes teachers; it takes clergy; it takes business people; it takes community leaders; it takes those who protect our health and safety. It takes all of us.” Hillary Clinton, 1996 Democratic National Convention Address

CACOPHONY

� A harsh joining of sounds. Almost like a

tongue twister, but creating an unpleasant,

unnatural, non-musical sound.

Examples:

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� Examples:

� “We want no parlay with you and your grisly gang who

work your wicked will.” (Winston Churchill)

� “My stick fingers click with a snicker, and chuckling,

they knuckle the keys (first line of the poem “Player

Piano” )

AD HOMINUM ARGUMENT

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From the Latin, literally meaning, “to the man” or “against the man,” this is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than to reason, to feeling rather than intellect.

Example 1: That candidate’s proposal is ridiculous. You can’t believe him. He cheated on his taxes in 2003.

Example 2: What do you know about politics? You’re too young to vote!

DEFINITION

� One of the major rhetorical modes of methods of development in writing, definition is a way of describing an abstract idea or thing by its qualities. Defining is

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idea or thing by its qualities. Defining is often the first step in a debate or persuasive essay. A definition essay DOES NOT use the denotation or dictionary definition of a word. A definition typically analyzes characteristics of an idea, using examples or descriptions.

CONNOTATION

� The non-literal associative meaning of

a word. The implied suggested

meaning. Connotations may involve

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meaning. Connotations may involve

ideas, emotions or attitudes.

� Example: The words barf, puke, upchuck

all have NEGATIVE connotations; that

means the feeling you get when you hear

these words is negative.

DENOTATION

� The strict, literal, dictionary definition of

a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude

or color.

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or color.

LITOTE

� A form of understatement in which a

statement is affirmed by negating its

opposite.

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opposite.

� Example:

� “He’s not unfriendly.”

� “She’s not unintelligent.”

� “Drew’s not an unhappy person.”

� “Cara isn’t unhealthy.”

APOSTROPHE

� A direct address to an absent or dead

person, or to an object, quality or idea, or

personified abstraction, such as liberty or

love, as if the person or idea were alive or

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love, as if the person or idea were alive or

present and could respond

� Example: “Oh death, where is thy sting?”

� Example: “Judge, Oh Ye Gods, how dearly

Caesar loved him.” (Caesar, in Julius

Caesar)

PARODY

� A spoof; a

performance that

imitates and mocks

another for comic

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another for comic

effect.

� “Saturday Night Live

segments include

parodies of many

television shows

and movies.”

SATIRE

� a literary technique that combines a critical attitude with humor, often with the intent of correcting or changing the subject of the satire

� writing that ridicules or criticizes individuals, ideas, or institutions, social conventions, or other works of

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or institutions, social conventions, or other works of art or literature. � Examples:

� The television show, Saturday Night Live, frequently satirized presidential candidates and others seeking political office.

� MAD magazine is one of the longest running satiricalpublications; it pokes fun at people, places, television shows and more. Nothing is “off limits” for MAD.

ANASTROPHE

� Transposition of normal word order for emphasis.

� Examples: Yoda in “Star Wars” frequently speaks in anastrophe:

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speaks in anastrophe:� “Weak you are.”

� “Fear you display.”

� “The shadow of greed that is”

� “Fail you will.”

� “The last of the Jedi you will be.”

Cause and Effect

� Cause and Effect is one of the major

rhetorical modes of methods of

development in writing. In this type of

writing, the writer analyzes the causes that

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writing, the writer analyzes the causes that

lead to a certain effect, or conversely, the

effects that result from a cause. Also known

as “causal analysis.” Cause and effect

essays are often signaled by the word “why”

in a title.

EPIPHANY

� A revelation; this occurs when a

character suddenly has a deep

realization about himself or herself. A

sudden revelation of truth inspired by a

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sudden revelation of truth inspired by a

seemingly trivial incident. A sudden

understanding. An “ah-ha” moment.

HOMILY

� The term literally

means “sermon,”

but it also means

any serious talk,

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any serious talk,

speech or

lecture involving

more or spiritual

advice.

LITANY

� A long tedious address; a list of

petitions or items. Similar to a prayer

or list of intercessions or requests.

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or list of intercessions or requests.

INVECTIVE

� An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language; harsh reproachful accusations.

� Example:

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� Example: � “Curse the blasted, jelly-boned swines, the

slimy, the belly-wriggling invertebrates, the miserable sodding rotters, the flaming sods, the snivelling, dribbling, dithering, paisied pulse-less lot that make up England today0” (D.H. Lawrence, letter to his editor)

RED HERRING

� A red herring is a something that is used in an argument to divert attention from the basic issue. It’s an argument that may be valid, but which doesn’t address the issue in question. (Avoid putting red herrings in your

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question. (Avoid putting red herrings in your essays and journal repsonses!) (It’s like changing the topic.)� Example: I’ll admit that having a dress code at

Matanzas doesn’t seems appealing. I don’t think you should support it. The Dean’s Office is inundated with disciplinary actions.

CARPE DIEM

� Latin for “seize the day.” It is a quote

from an ode (poem) by the ancient

Roman poet Horace. It is a common

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Roman poet Horace. It is a common

theme in writing (particularly poetry). It

emphasizes that time is fleeting and

that you should live for the moment,

and take advantage of opportunities

while you can.

BOMBAST

� Bombast is inflated language; the use of

high-sounding language for a trivial subject.

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DECLARATIVE SENTENCE

� A sentence that makes a statement or

declaration or pronouncement.

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PERIODIC SENTENCES

� Sentences which build and move

toward an important idea at the end.

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INTERROGATORY SENTENCE

� Sentences which pose a question or

make a query.

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HORTATIVE SENTENCE

� A sentence which includes language

that urges or call to action or advises.

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ASYNDETON

� Lack of conjunctions between coordinate

words, phases or clauses. A string of words

not connected by conjunctions as they

normally would be.

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normally would be.

� Examples:

� “Be one of the few. The Proud. The Marines.”

� “He was a bag of bones, a floppy doll, a broken stick,

a maniac.” (On The Road)

� “They dove, splashed, floated, splashed, swam,

snorted.” (Young Lonigan)

ANTIMETABOLE

� Repitition of words in reverse order.

� Example: “Ask not what your country

can do for you, ask what you can do

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can do for you, ask what you can do

for your country.”

EPISTLE

� Literally, an epistle is a “letter.” (Greek επιστολη, epistolē, "letter") is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of persons, usually a letter and a very formal, often didactic and elegant one. Some examples would be the “letters” found in the New

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examples would be the “letters” found in the New Testament, which the disciples wrote to other Christians, and to new Christian communities. � Example: Alice Walker tells the main character’s story in

epistolary form; Celie writes letters, or epistles, to God, to reveal her abusive youth at the hands of her stepfather and her husband.

DIDACTIC LITERATURE

� Didactic literature is literature that has been written to teach or instruct or impart a moral lesson. Examples would be proverbs and aphorisms, or stories such as Aesop’s

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aphorisms, or stories such as Aesop’s fables, or the parables of the New Testament.� Example: The story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf

is a didactic tale because its primary purpose is to teach children not to lie, or else people will not believe them when it’s really important.

IN MEDIAS RES

� A Latin phrase meaning “in the middle of things.” This is a technique in which the writer begins telling the story in the middle of of the plot and reveals the past with narratives and flashback. Many television shows use this plot line as well, opening with a

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shows use this plot line as well, opening with a murder, and then working backwards to show how the crime was committed. The movie Simon Birch utilizes in medias res, showing a grown up narrator at the grave of his childhood friend Simon, recalling all the significant events of their youth. � Example: Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the

Odyssey, both begin in medias res, as the poet recounts the adventures of his heroes after they have already occurred, through the use of flashback.

INTERTEXTUALITY

� Intertextuality is the multiple ways in which a text is entangled with or contains references to other texts, such as author’s references to the Bible, Milton and other great works of literature. � Example: Intertextuality mean one cannot fully appreciate a

work like Milton’s Paradise Lost, without knowing the story of

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work like Milton’s Paradise Lost, without knowing the story of Adam and Even and the Garden of Eve as retold in Genesis in the Old Testament.

� Example: James Joyce’s masterpiece, Ulysses, is a modern retelling of Homer’s Odyssey.

� Many television shows and movies use intertextuality as a tool of humor, making references to Spider Man or Luke Skywalker in dialogue. You wouldn’t be able to ‘get’ the joke if you didn’t realize the names or connections.

PARABLE

• A parable is a brief, succinct story, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral or religious lesson. It differs from a fable in that fables use animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as actors while parables generally are stories featuring human actors or agents. • Example: In the New Testament, Jesus often introduced

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• Example: In the New Testament, Jesus often introduced complex moral topics using parables that his listeners could understand, such as the parable of “The Prodigal Son” or “The Good Samaritan.”

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Parables and fables are considered didactic literaturebecause the are written and told with the primary purpose of teaching/instructing.

PUN (play on words)

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INVOCATION

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ARCHETYPE

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THEME

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FORESHADOWING

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SARCASM

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UNDERSTATEMENT

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ANTECEDENT

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ANTITHESIS

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ANTICLIMAX

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CRITIQUE

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COMMENTARY

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IMPERATIVE

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IMPLY/IMPLICATION

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INFER/INFERENCE

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PARALALLISM

(parallel structure

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