Rhetorical Analysis Terms

an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances. A story with two or more levels of meaning

a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will recognize

dramatic ordering of words to show a sort of expansion or progression : conceptual, valuative, poetic. \”sunlight, torchlight, candle light, neon, incandescent\”

drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect

short account of an incident told to prove a point

a figure of speech in which one directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or some abstraction

When the conjunctions (such as \”and\” or \”but\”) that would normally connect a string of words, phrases, or clauses are omitted from a sentence, to make a verse and memorable statement.

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

a point conceded or yielded

the implied or associative meaning of a word

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

the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression

the author’s choice of words that creates tone, attitude, and style, as well as meaning

having the primary purpose of teaching or instructing

Substitution of a more offensive or disparaging word or phrase for one considered less offensive.

The appeal of a text to the credibility and character of the speaker, writer, or narrator

a mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term

the shape or structure of a literary work

This term literally means \”sermon,\” but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.

a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor

reasoning from detailed facts to general principles

a conclusion one can draw from presented details

abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will

an appeal based on logic or reason

a complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows

a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work

conjoining contradictory terms (as in ‘deafening silence’)

the movement of a literary piece from one point to another

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

an appeal to emotion

a term used to describe writing that borders on lecturing, it is scholarly and academic and often overly difficult and distant.

a complex sentence in which the main clause comes last and is preceded by the subordinate clause

study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)

A method of presenting a logical argument. In its most basic form, the syllogism consists of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion

the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences

the primary position taken by a writer or speaker

the quality of something (an act or a piece of writing) that reveals the attitudes and presuppositions of the author

the opposite of exaggeration. It is a technique for developing irony and/or humor where one writes or says less than intended.

can refer to two different areas of writing. One refers to the relationship between a sentence’s subject and verb (active voice/passive voice). The second refers to the total \”sound\” of a writer’s style.