Diction, Imagery, Tone, Diction, Imagery, Tone, SyntaxSyntax

Order of complexityOrder of complexity

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which ideas are presented in which ideas are presented according to their relative according to their relative complexity; usually from most complexity; usually from most complex to least.complex to least.

Toulmin logicToulmin logic

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy to use argumentation as it occurs in to use argumentation as it occurs in daily life; it divides argument into the daily life; it divides argument into the claim (thesis of an essay), the claim (thesis of an essay), the grounds (support for a claim: grounds (support for a claim: evidence or appeals), and the evidence or appeals), and the warrant (inference that connects warrant (inference that connects claims to grounds).claims to grounds).

Appeal to ignorance:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy in which the writer depends on the lack of evidence for one side to prove his or her position.

Ad hominem argument / attack:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that is a personal attack on the character or traits of one’s opponents rather than the opponent’s argument or ideas.

Causal chainCausal chain

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy used when writing in the rhetorical used when writing in the rhetorical mode cause and effect in which a mode cause and effect in which a writer uses a sequence of events to writer uses a sequence of events to show how one causes another, and show how one causes another, and how the second event in turn causes how the second event in turn causes a third, and so on.a third, and so on.

Oxymoron

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which an author juxtaposes apparently contradictory terms; a rhetorical antithesis; from the Greek pointedly foolish.

Subject-by-subject comparisonSubject-by-subject comparison

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer first discusses one in which a writer first discusses one subject in full and follows it with a subject in full and follows it with a comparable discussion of the entirety comparable discussion of the entirety of another subject; antonym of point-of another subject; antonym of point-by-point comparison.by-point comparison.

Compound-Complex sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer employs two independent clauses and one or more subordinate/dependent clauses.

Post hoc reasoning/post hoc, ergo propter hoc:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when a writer falsely implies that because one thing follows another, the first caused the second, mistaking sequence for causation.

Begging the question:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when the evidence depends on the believability of the claim. Often called circular reasoning, It assumes a statement to be self-evident even when it has not been proven so.

Abstract languageAbstract language

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy used to denote ideas and qualities used to denote ideas and qualities rather than observable, things, rather than observable, things, people, or places. It is often people, or places. It is often necessary to express ideas, but can necessary to express ideas, but can be vague unless it is supported by be vague unless it is supported by the observable or physical, which is the observable or physical, which is usually described in concrete usually described in concrete language.language.

Homily

a tonal rhetorical strategy that is literally a sermon, but may include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

MetaphorMetaphor

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy that compares or implies comparison that compares or implies comparison between two seemingly dissimilar between two seemingly dissimilar things, often substituting one for the things, often substituting one for the other to suggest similarityother to suggest similarity

Straw man:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when a writer claims that because a miniscule element of an opponent’s argument is invalid, the entire argument must be invalid.

Figures of speech/figurative Figures of speech/figurative languagelanguage

a primarily imagery-based rhetorical a primarily imagery-based rhetorical strategy that uses imaginative strategy that uses imaginative language to suggest a special language to suggest a special meaning or create a special effectmeaning or create a special effect

Ex. apostrophe, metaphor, Ex. apostrophe, metaphor, personification, simile, etc.personification, simile, etc.

Hasty/sweeping generalization:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that is akin to jumping to a conclusion because the writer makes a conclusion based on too little evidence.

Tu quoque:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that assumes the opponent’s argument has no value because the opponent does not follow his or her own advice; from the Greek you also.

Sentence variety (syntax) there are four major sentence structures: 1) Simple:

contains one independent clause (e.g. The singer bowed to her adoring audience.); 2) Compound: contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon (e.g. The singer bowed to her adoring audience, but she sang no encores.); 3) Complex: contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate or dependent clauses (e.g. The singer bowed to her adoring audience, but sang no encores.); 4) Compound-complex: contains two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate or dependent clauses (e.g. The singer bowed to her adoring audience and ignored their pleas for an encore, but instead she went to a party in her honor at a nearby club.); strong writers ensure that they do not just confine themselves to one.

AllusionAllusion

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer briefly refers to an which a writer briefly refers to an event, book, myth, place, or work of event, book, myth, place, or work of art that the reader is expected to art that the reader is expected to recognize so the writerrecognize so the writer

can evoke a vivid impression.can evoke a vivid impression.

EuphemismEuphemism

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which an author replaces a more which an author replaces a more agreeable or polite substitute for a agreeable or polite substitute for a generally unpleasant concept; from generally unpleasant concept; from the Greek phrase for good speech.the Greek phrase for good speech.

JuxtapositionJuxtaposition

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer places in which a writer places elements,characters, scenes, or elements,characters, scenes, or objects side by side for the purposes objects side by side for the purposes of comparison and contrast.of comparison and contrast.

AnticlimaxAnticlimax

an organizational rhetorical strategy in an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer suddenly drops from the which a writer suddenly drops from the dignified or important in thought or dignified or important in thought or expression to the commonplace or trivial, expression to the commonplace or trivial, often for humorous effect; in fiction, it is often for humorous effect; in fiction, it is an effect produced when an author an effect produced when an author deliberately subdues the action at an deliberately subdues the action at an expected highpoint to manipulate the expected highpoint to manipulate the reader’sreader’s

emotions.emotions.

Extended definitionExtended definition

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer develops the in which a writer develops the meaning of a term over the course of meaning of a term over the course of a paragraph-, essay-, or book-length a paragraph-, essay-, or book-length work.work.

AntithesisAntithesis

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer includes a viewpointin which a writer includes a viewpoint

opposite the one expressed in the opposite the one expressed in the thesis.thesis.

SimileSimile

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy comparing two dissimilar things comparing two dissimilar things using like or as; subdivision of using like or as; subdivision of metaphor.metaphor.

EvidenceEvidence

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy employing facts and opinions used to employing facts and opinions used to support a statement position or idea. support a statement position or idea. Facts include examples, reasons, Facts include examples, reasons, statistics, or other details. Opinions statistics, or other details. Opinions include conclusions of experts or the include conclusions of experts or the writer’s personal experiences. In order writer’s personal experiences. In order to support claims, it must be relevant, to support claims, it must be relevant, specific, adequate, representative, and specific, adequate, representative, and documented.documented.

Objective descriptionObjective description

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that presents a detached, factual that presents a detached, factual picture in a plain, direct manner; picture in a plain, direct manner; though pure objectivity is an though pure objectivity is an impossibility, writers of science papers, impossibility, writers of science papers, technical reports, news articles, and technical reports, news articles, and others strive for precise language that others strive for precise language that is free of value judgments; antonym of is free of value judgments; antonym of subjective description.subjective description.

DigressionDigression

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy (often weak) in which an author (often weak) in which an author provides a remark or series of provides a remark or series of remarks that stray from the main remarks that stray from the main point; in narrative, a personal one point; in narrative, a personal one may be entertaining because of its may be entertaining because of its irrelevance, but in other modes, it is irrelevance, but in other modes, it is likely to lead to incoherence, likely to lead to incoherence, distraction, and confusion.distraction, and confusion.

Chronological/temporal orderChronological/temporal order

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which ideas or events are in which ideas or events are arranged by the time sequence of arranged by the time sequence of their occurrence; frequently their occurrence; frequently employed in narrative and process employed in narrative and process essays.essays.

Inductive leapInductive leap

an element of the organizational an element of the organizational strategy inductive reasoning that strategy inductive reasoning that ensures the conclusion is never ensures the conclusion is never certain, only probable.certain, only probable.

EthosEthos

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the writer uses an ethical in which the writer uses an ethical appeal toappeal to

capitalize off the speaker’s credibility capitalize off the speaker’s credibility and evoke a moral response; excess and evoke a moral response; excess can lead to patronizing the reader and can lead to patronizing the reader and sermonizing; used most effectively in sermonizing; used most effectively in concert with logos and pathos as part concert with logos and pathos as part of the rhetorical triangle.of the rhetorical triangle.

ApostropheApostrophe

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy (often poetic) that directly addresses (often poetic) that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, a an absent or imaginary person, a personified abstraction, or personified abstraction, or sometimes an inanimate object to sometimes an inanimate object to create an effect of emotional create an effect of emotional intensity or familiarity.intensity or familiarity.

Deductive reasoningDeductive reasoning

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that moves from a general premise that moves from a general premise to a specific conclusion; antonym of to a specific conclusion; antonym of inductive reasoning.inductive reasoning.

AphorismAphorism

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer uses a terse statement of which a writer uses a terse statement of known authorship that expresses a known authorship that expresses a general truth or moral principle (when the general truth or moral principle (when the

authorship is unknown, the statement authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered a folk proverb) is generally considered a folk proverb) either to create a memorable summation either to create a memorable summation of a point or as a focusing device at the of a point or as a focusing device at the beginning of anbeginning of anessay.essay.

Process explanationProcess explanation

an organizational strategy that an organizational strategy that enables readers to understand a enables readers to understand a process rather than perform it.process rather than perform it.

Point of viewPoint of view

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy a writer uses to determine from a writer uses to determine from whose perspective a story is told; whose perspective a story is told; subdivided into first-, second-, and subdivided into first-, second-, and third-person.third-person.

ExampleExample

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer provides a concrete, in which a writer provides a concrete, specific, illustration of a general specific, illustration of a general point.point.

PathosPathos

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the writer uses an emotional in which the writer uses an emotional appeal to evoke empathy or other appeal to evoke empathy or other feeling; excess can lead to too feeling; excess can lead to too emotional a response; used most emotional a response; used most effectively in concert with ethos and effectively in concert with ethos and logos as part of the rhetorical logos as part of the rhetorical triangle.triangle.

FlashbackFlashback

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which action returns to an earlier in which action returns to an earlier time in a narrative for making time in a narrative for making something in the present clearersomething in the present clearer

RefutationRefutation

an organizational rhetorical strategy a an organizational rhetorical strategy a writer uses to counter an opposing writer uses to counter an opposing argument by revealing its weaknesses, argument by revealing its weaknesses, including the three most common: including the three most common: fallacies or logical flaws, inadequate fallacies or logical flaws, inadequate evidence, and irrelevance; strengthens evidence, and irrelevance; strengthens an argument by showing a writer is an argument by showing a writer is aware of the complexity of the issue by aware of the complexity of the issue by considering opposing viewpoints.considering opposing viewpoints.

DocumentationDocumentation

an organizational rhetorical strategy in an organizational rhetorical strategy in which an author formally gives credit to which an author formally gives credit to sources of borrowed words or ideas; sources of borrowed words or ideas; allows readers to evaluate a writer’s allows readers to evaluate a writer’s sources and consult them if they wish sources and consult them if they wish to determine the argument’s credibility; to determine the argument’s credibility; most college-level humanities courses most college-level humanities courses ask students to employ these from the ask students to employ these from the Modern Language Association (M.L.A.)Modern Language Association (M.L.A.)

GroundsGrounds

an element of the organizational an element of the organizational rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic that rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic that a writer uses to support a claim; may a writer uses to support a claim; may be evidence (facts or expert be evidence (facts or expert opinions) or appeals (ethos, logos, or opinions) or appeals (ethos, logos, or pathos) to the emotions or values of pathos) to the emotions or values of an audience.an audience.

First-person point-of-viewFirst-person point-of-view

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the narrator speaks from in which the narrator speaks from his/her own perspective, in his/her his/her own perspective, in his/her own voice, as a character in the own voice, as a character in the narrative, and using the pronouns narrative, and using the pronouns associated with I; it allows a closer associated with I; it allows a closer connection between narrator and connection between narrator and audience.audience.

LogosLogos

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the writer uses a logical in which the writer uses a logical appeal to evoke reason; excess can appeal to evoke reason; excess can lead to too cold or robotic a lead to too cold or robotic a response; used most effectively in response; used most effectively in concert with ethos and pathos as concert with ethos and pathos as part of the rhetorical triangle.part of the rhetorical triangle.

ClaimClaim

an element of the organizational an element of the organizational rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic that rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic that establishes the thesis of an essay; establishes the thesis of an essay; usually it is stated directly, but it can usually it is stated directly, but it can be implied.be implied.

Spatial orderSpatial order

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which ideas are presented in which ideas are presented according to their location; can be according to their location; can be from left to right, front to back, near from left to right, front to back, near to far, etc.to far, etc.

In medias resIn medias res

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer begins a narrative in which a writer begins a narrative in the middle of the action; often in the middle of the action; often accompanied by flashback or accompanied by flashback or dialogue that explains what has gone dialogue that explains what has gone before; means in Greek into the before; means in Greek into the middle of things.middle of things.

Stream of consciousnessStream of consciousness

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which an author attempts to in which an author attempts to produce an unembellished flow of produce an unembellished flow of thoughts in the human mind with its thoughts in the human mind with its feelings, judgments, associations, feelings, judgments, associations, and memories.and memories.

Order of importanceOrder of importance

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which ideas are presented in which ideas are presented according to their relative according to their relative significance; usually from most significance; usually from most meaningful to least.meaningful to least.

ParadoxParadox

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer uses a term that in which a writer uses a term that appears to be self-contradictory or appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but upon opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection contains an closer inspection contains an acceptable and often profound acceptable and often profound meaning; often used for emphasis or meaning; often used for emphasis or to attract attention.to attract attention.

Third-person point-of-viewThird-person point-of-view

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the narrator speaks from in which the narrator speaks from the perspective of another, but the the perspective of another, but the character need not be an actor in the character need not be an actor in the narrative, and uses pronouns narrative, and uses pronouns associated with he, she and itassociated with he, she and it

Inductive reasoningInductive reasoning

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that moves from specific evidence to that moves from specific evidence to a general conclusion based on this a general conclusion based on this evidence; antonym of deductive evidence; antonym of deductive reasoning; principal form of reasoning; principal form of reasoning in science and history.reasoning in science and history.

TransitionsTransitions

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which words or expressions link in which words or expressions link ideas in writing; words such as ideas in writing; words such as however, therefore, and then, are however, therefore, and then, are often used, but there can be entire often used, but there can be entire phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or longer passages that can serve as longer passages that can serve as these links.these links.

ThesisThesis

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that expresses an essay’s main idea; that expresses an essay’s main idea; the absence of such will lead an the absence of such will lead an essay to incoherence, disunity, essay to incoherence, disunity, ambiguity, and ultimately failure; the ambiguity, and ultimately failure; the idea that all main points in the body idea that all main points in the body of an essay support; may be implied, of an essay support; may be implied, but is usually explicitlybut is usually explicitly

Rogerian argumentRogerian argument

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy advocated by psychologist Carl Rogers, advocated by psychologist Carl Rogers, who rejected the adversarial approach who rejected the adversarial approach of most arguments; instead of attacking of most arguments; instead of attacking the opposition, Rogers suggests the opposition, Rogers suggests acknowledging the validity of opposing acknowledging the validity of opposing positions and finding areas of positions and finding areas of agreement to reduce conflict and agreement to reduce conflict and increase chances a final position will increase chances a final position will satisfy all parties.satisfy all parties.

WarrantWarrant

an element of the organizational an element of the organizational rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic, rhetorical strategy Toulmin logic, specifically the inference that specifically the inference that connects the claim to the grounds; connects the claim to the grounds; can be a belief taken for granted or can be a belief taken for granted or an assumption that underlies the an assumption that underlies the argument.argument.

EpigraphEpigraph

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that employs a quotation or that employs a quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a aphorism at the beginning of a literary work to suggest the work’s literary work to suggest the work’s theme.theme.

Point-by-point comparisonPoint-by-point comparison

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer first makes a point in which a writer first makes a point about one subject and follows it with about one subject and follows it with a comparable point about another a comparable point about another subject; antonym of subject-by-subject; antonym of subject-by-subject comparison.subject comparison.

Rhetorical questionRhetorical question

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that is asked for effect, not to be that is asked for effect, not to be answered.answered.

Subjective descriptionSubjective description

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy that contains value judgments or that contains value judgments or language that is involved; focuses on language that is involved; focuses on author’s reaction to events, author’s reaction to events, conveying not just a factual account conveying not just a factual account of details but also their significance; of details but also their significance; may include poetic or colorful words may include poetic or colorful words to impart an emotional responseto impart an emotional response

QuotationQuotation

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a writer uses exact words in which a writer uses exact words from a source enclosed in quotation from a source enclosed in quotation marks; should only be used to marks; should only be used to present a particularly memorable present a particularly memorable statement or to avoid a paraphrase statement or to avoid a paraphrase that would change original meaning; that would change original meaning; DO NOT OVERUSE.DO NOT OVERUSE.

AntonymAntonym

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer chooses a word which a writer chooses a word opposite in meaning to another wordopposite in meaning to another word

PremisePremise

an element of the organizational an element of the organizational rhetorical strategy deductive rhetorical strategy deductive reasoning that is a statement of fact; reasoning that is a statement of fact; can be divided into major and minor can be divided into major and minor ones, where the minor one clarifies ones, where the minor one clarifies the major one by being more the major one by being more specific.specific.

Second-person point-of-viewSecond-person point-of-view

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which the narrator speaks to the in which the narrator speaks to the reader’s own perspective using the reader’s own perspective using the pronouns associated with you; it pronouns associated with you; it reads like an imperative from reads like an imperative from narrator to audience; it is the least narrator to audience; it is the least common of the three points of view.common of the three points of view.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy (often poetic) in which natural (often poetic) in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of sounds are imitated in the sounds of the words representing them.the words representing them.

MetonymyMetonymy

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy in which one object is associated for in which one object is associated for that of another closely associated that of another closely associated with it; from the Greek for changed with it; from the Greek for changed label or substitute name; (e.g.: when label or substitute name; (e.g.: when a baseball player calls his bat an ax)a baseball player calls his bat an ax)

Topic sentenceTopic sentence

an organizational rhetorical strategy an organizational rhetorical strategy in which a sentence states the main in which a sentence states the main idea of a body paragraph; usually the idea of a body paragraph; usually the first sentence of a body paragraph; first sentence of a body paragraph; they should open with a transition, they should open with a transition, be concise, and express be concise, and express directionality.directionality.

AnecdoteAnecdote a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in

which a writer offers a brief which a writer offers a brief recounting of a relevant episode, recounting of a relevant episode, frequently personal or biographical frequently personal or biographical and often to inject humor intoand often to inject humor into

writing.writing.

SynonymSynonym

a poorly applied diction-based a poorly applied diction-based rhetorical strategy that is actually rhetorical strategy that is actually unreal.unreal.

Some suggest it is a word with the Some suggest it is a word with the same basic meaning as another, but same basic meaning as another, but no two words have identical no two words have identical meanings.meanings.

AmbiguityAmbiguity

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy that capitalizes on the multiple that capitalizes on the multiple meanings of a word, phrase, meanings of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage, implying that sentence, or passage, implying that several meanings couldseveral meanings could

potentially be correct.potentially be correct.

AnalogyAnalogy

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer draws a similarity or which a writer draws a similarity or comparison between two different comparison between two different things to show the relationship things to show the relationship between them, often designed to between them, often designed to explain an unfamiliar element by explain an unfamiliar element by comparing it to another that is morecomparing it to another that is more

familiar.familiar.

ClichéCliché

a weak, diction-based rhetorical a weak, diction-based rhetorical strategy that is an overused strategy that is an overused expression, whichexpression, which

should be avoided in writing.should be avoided in writing.

PersonificationPersonification

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy in which an author endows concepts, in which an author endows concepts, animals, or inanimate objects with animals, or inanimate objects with human attributes to create a vivid human attributes to create a vivid effect for the reader.effect for the reader.

Humor

a tonal rhetorical strategy that creates the effect of comedy and is intended to

make light of serious topics.

EpithetEpithet

Using an adjective (often habitually) Using an adjective (often habitually) to characterize a person or thing.to characterize a person or thing.

HyperboleHyperbole

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer deliberately which a writer deliberately exaggerates or overstates for exaggerates or overstates for emphasis or humorous effectemphasis or humorous effect

SynecdocheSynecdoche

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy in which a part of something stands in which a part of something stands for the wholefor the whole

Invective

a tonal rhetorical strategy in which a writer produces an emotionally violent verbal denunciation using strong, abusive language.

Balanced sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which both halves of the sentence are about the same length and importance.

Chiasmus

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses are balanced in a sentence because the ideas in the first clause are reversed by those in the second.

MeiosisMeiosis

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy that ironically minimizes a fact for that ironically minimizes a fact for humor or emphasishumor or emphasis

Complex sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer employs an independent clause and one or more subordinate/dependent clauses.

Extended metaphorExtended metaphor

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a comparison is developed at which a comparison is developed at length and occurring frequently length and occurring frequently throughout a work.throughout a work.

Sexist languageSexist language

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy that stereotypes people according to that stereotypes people according to sexsex

Concrete languageConcrete language

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy used to denote objects orused to denote objects or

qualities that the senses can qualities that the senses can perceive.perceive.

Irony a tonal rhetorical strategy to reflect a

discrepancy between two levels of meaning and effect that reveals a contrast

between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant; can be verbal: when what is

stated is opposite its meaning, situational: when there is a disconnect between an

expected outcome and an actual occurrence, and dramatic: when a reader understands

more in a story than the character telling/living the story does.

SlangSlang

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy employing informal words that haveemploying informal words that have

meanings that vary from locale to meanings that vary from locale to locale or change as time passeslocale or change as time passes

Sentence varietySentence variety there are four major sentence moods: 1) there are four major sentence moods: 1)

Declarative: makesDeclarative: makes a statement (e.g. The king is sick.); 2) a statement (e.g. The king is sick.); 2)

Imperative: gives a command (e.g. Cure Imperative: gives a command (e.g. Cure the king.);the king.);

3) Interrogative: asks a question (e.g. Is 3) Interrogative: asks a question (e.g. Is the king sick?); 4) Exclamatory: expresses the king sick?); 4) Exclamatory: expresses strongstrong

emotion (e.g. The king is such a emotion (e.g. The king is such a hypochondriac!); strong writers do not just hypochondriac!); strong writers do not just confineconfine

themselves to one.themselves to one.

Inverted Syntax Order

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which normal word order is reversed to achieve emphasis or a rhythmic effect by placing the predicate before the subject (often colloquially referred to as Yodaspeak, but this term is not suitable for A.P. essays); antonym of natural syntax/order.

Periodic sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which the main idea (independent clause) follows introductory elements such as words, phrases and dependent clauses; antonym of loose sentence.

Predicate adjective

a syntactical rhetorical strategy that is a type of subject complement that places an adjective, group of adjectives, or adjectival clause after a linking verb to modify or describe a subject.

Simple Sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer employs only one independent clause.

Predicate nominative

a syntactical rhetorical strategy that is a type of subject complement that renames a subject by placing a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause after a linking verb.

Compound sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer employs two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

Symbol/symbolismSymbol/symbolism

an imagery-based rhetorical strategy an imagery-based rhetorical strategy in which a concrete person, event, or in which a concrete person, event, or object stands for something more object stands for something more abstract than its literal meaningabstract than its literal meaning

Persona

a tonal rhetorical strategy in which a writer adopts a fictional voice to tell a

story; often determined by the intersection between purpose and audience.

Assonance

a syntactical rhetorical strategy (often poetic) in which the writer repeats a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity.

Argument from analogy/false analogy:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy in which a writer creates an insufficient parallel between two cases so the reader cannot, or should not, accept the connection between them; the writer falsely assumes that because two ideas are alike in several regards, they are similar in all.

JargonJargon

a diction-based rhetorical strategy in a diction-based rhetorical strategy in which a writer employs the which a writer employs the specializedspecialized

vocabulary of a profession or vocabulary of a profession or academic fieldacademic field

Alliteration

A syntactical rhetorical strategy (often poetic) that repeats the initial consonant sound in two or more neighboring words. This effect can be used to reinforce meaning, unify ideas, and/or supply a musical cadence to a writer’s work.

ColloquialismColloquialism

a diction-based rhetorical strategy a diction-based rhetorical strategy that employs expressions generallythat employs expressions generally

appropriate for conversation and appropriate for conversation and informal writing, but usually informal writing, but usually unacceptable for formalunacceptable for formal

writingwriting

Misleading statistics:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that distorts data to manipulate an audience.

Parable

a tonal rhetorical strategy in which a writer uses a brief story to convey a

lesson.

Equivocation:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy in which the writer changes the meaning of a key term during the course of a single argument; makes it seem as if a conclusion follows from premises when it actually does not.

Asyndeton

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which commas are used with no conjunction to separate a series or words, emphasizing the parts equally and speeding up the flow of the sentence.

Consonance

a syntactical rhetorical strategy (often poetic) in which a consonant sound is repeated within two or more words in close proximity.

Rhetorical fragments

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer deliberately does not include either a subject or verb in an independent clause for a persuasive purpose or desired effect

Repetition

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which a writer reuses words, sounds, and/or ideas to create emphasis or rhythm.

Parallelism/parallel structure/parallel syntax

a syntactical rhetorical strategy that uses similar grammatical elements within a sentence or sentences to frame words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs and highlight structural similarity; from Greek roots meaning beside one another; creates an effect of equal value of ideas, coherence and unity, a speedier read and smoother cadence for oratory; often repeats a preposition or verbal phrase to create the effect

Natural syntax order

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which the subject appears before the predicate; antonym of inverted syntax/order.

Loose/cumulative sentence

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which the main idea (independent clause) is followed by dependent phrases and clauses; antonym of periodic sentence.

Caricature

a tonal rhetorical strategy in which a writer creates a grotesque likeness of

striking characteristics in a person or thing.

Sarcasm

a tonal rhetorical strategy that often produces parody, satire, and humor as

its effects by deliberately injecting insincere, biting irony and caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule

Ad misericordium:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when writers appeal to readers’ emotions in an effort to distract readers from using logic.

Either/or fallacy (false dilemma):

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy in which the writer reduces an issue to polar opposites and ignores possible alternatives.

Polysyndeton

a syntactical rhetorical strategy in which multiple appearances of the same conjunction, but no commas are used to separate a series of words, emphasizing the parts equally and slowing the flow of the sentence and making each item more emphatic than asyndeton; takes the form X and Y and Z, as opposed to X,Y, and Z.

Non sequitur:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when the argument does not logically follow a previous statement; Greek for it does not follow.

Anaphora

a syntactical rhetorical strategy that is a subdivision of parallelism, using repetition of the same word or group of words in successive clauses.

Red herring:

a weak rhetorical strategy and logical fallacy that occurs when a writer raises an irrelevant issue to divert the audience’s attention from the real one.