Simile (si’-mi-lee): An explicit comparison, often (but not necessarily) employing “like” or “as.”
That candidate’s position on unemployment is like a parking lot out in the middle of the desert: empty and useless.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in simile
Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, simile, style
Comparatio (com-pa-ra’-ti-o): A general term for a comparison, either as a figure of speech or as an argument. More specific terms are generally employed, such as metaphor, simile, allegory, etc.
That painting looks like a baloney sandwich that was run over by a truck.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Tagged allegory, comparatio, elocutio, figures of speech, metaphor, public speaking, rhetoric, simile, style
Prolepsis (pro-lep’-sis): (1) A synonym for procatalepsis [refuting anticipated objections]; (2) speaking of something future as though already done or existing. A figure of anticipation.
1. They’re going to keep telling you that my economic policies have failed. I’m going to keep telling you that they have failed to adopt my economic policies. How can something that’s never been tried fail?
2. What’s done is done. We are dead, but we will not be forgotten. Onward!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in prolepsis
Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, procatalepsis, prolepsis, public speaking, rhetoric, style
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