Amphibologia (am’-fi-bo-lo’-gi-a): Ambiguity of grammatical structure, often occasioned by mispunctuation. [A vice of ambiguity.]
Barny fed his dog Eddie.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in amphibolgia
Tagged ambiguity, amphibologia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Dianoea (di-a-noe’-a): The use of animated questions and answers in developing an argument (sometimes simply the equivalent of anthypophora).
Have no fear hubby’s here! And well . . . What did I do on Friday? I went to the mall for four hours! What did I do on Saturday? I made reservations for dinner at your favorite restaurant! What about Sunday? I contacted all your friends to invite them over tonight. And how about right now? I made you breakfast in bed (with this juicy little Rolex on the side)! You are my number one! There’s no way I want it any other way. You are the love of my life! You are the best! Happy birthday dear wife! Today’s your day! Your wish is my command.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in dianoea
Tagged anthypophora, dianoea, elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope
Systrophe (si’-stro-fee): The listing of many qualities or descriptions of someone or something, without providing an explicit definition.
Human beings are complicated creatures! How caring, how filled with rage, how attentive, how lost in space, how loyal, how unfaithful, how obedient, how rebellious, how generous, how stingy–how completely dialectical–how vexed, how mercurial!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in systrophe
Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, style, systrophe, The Daily Trope
Ellipsis (el-lip’-sis): Omission of a word or short phrase easily understood in context.
I gave a book to my daughter and my daughter, a book to me!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in ellipsis
Tagged ellipsis, elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, public speaking, style, The Daily Trope
Mesozeugma (me’-so-zyoog’-ma): A zeugma in which one places a common verb for many subjects in the middle of a construction.
Neither hope nor fear could move her; neither bright promises nor beligerent threats.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in mesozeugma
Tagged composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, mesozeugma, public speaking, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope, trope
The Daily Trope 