Palilogia (pa-li-lo’-gi-a): Repetition of the same word, with none between, for vehemence. Synonym for epizeuxis.
Snow snow snow and more snow! The first foot was fun, but now you need to stop! Stop!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Diazeugma (di-a-zoog’-ma): The figure by which a single subject governs several verbs or verbal constructions (usually arranged in parallel fashion and expressing a similar idea); the opposite of zeugma.
I couldn’t get to sleep because my report wasn’t finished, my psycho neighbor was playing with his musical clapper, the handgun my mother had given me was missing, and worst of all, my Sleep Number bed’s 5-part fully adjustable electric frame was stuck at 9–AKA spine bending speed bump.
Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Epitrope (e-pi’-tro-pe): A figure in which one turns things over to one’s hearers, either pathetically, ironically, or in such a way as to suggest a proof of something without having to state it. Epitrope often takes the form of granting permission (hence its Latin name, permissio), submitting something for consideration, or simply referring to the abilities of the audience to supply the meaning that the speaker passes over (hence Puttenham’s term, figure of reference). Epitrope can be either biting in its irony, or flattering in its deference.
A specific form of epitrope is the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry our point.
Take your time–go ahead, obey the speed limit! It can’t matter that much. I’ll have the baby right here on the front seat. It’s better than a hospital. I won’t die. You won’t be sorry, and our baby won’t suffer! Why don’t you just slow down a little bit more–there’s no rush.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Dendographia (den-dro-graf’-ia): Creating an illusion of reality through vivid description of a tree.
Trees! Tall trees. Small trees. All trees. Dark bark maybe grey, birch bark black and white; day and night with leaves–leaves hanging by their thread-thin stems feeding light to sap, and in the sunny breeze of dawn’s mortal moment they swarm like clouds of butterflies waving winged shadows over tangled bumpy stumpy roots reaching deep beneath the soddy earth. The smell of pine. The womb of woods. The trees!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in dendrographia
Tagged dendographia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, trees
Isocolon (i-so-co’-lon): A series of similarly structured elements having the same length. A kind of parallelism.
I drove. I parked. I shopped. I dropped.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in isocolon
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, isocolon, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Traductio (tra-duk’-ti-o): Repeating the same word variously throughout a sentence or thought. Some authorities restrict traductio further to mean repeating the same word but with a different meaning (see ploce, antanaclasis, and diaphora), or in a different form (=polyptoton. . . . ). If the repeated word occurs in parallel fashion at the beginnings of phrases or clauses, it becomes anaphora; at the endings of phrases or clauses, epistrophe.
Being free is to be human, and being human is to be free. You may think that wild animals or pets off their leashes run free, but running free is not being free. Rather, it is being loose. Just because a living body can move, it does not mean that it is free. To be free is to choose, and choice is induced by persuasion, and persuasion is engendered by symbols, and symbols are endowed with meanings by humans being free!
Again, bodily movement does not signify freedom. Being free is symbolically constituted in your humane human head as it searches for, or listens for a good reason to to do something and a plan for taking action to make it be or not be.
That’s the Burkean way!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in traductio
Tagged antanaclasis, being free, diaphora, epistrophe, free, freedom, ploce, polyptoton
Scesis Onomaton (ske’-sis o-no’-ma-ton): 1. A sentence constructed only of nouns and adjectives (typically in a regular pattern). 2. A series of successive, synonymous expressions.
1. Wild nights, bleary mornings, sunburned days. Spring break !
2. I have your best interests close to my heart. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. The sky’s the limit. Just ask.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in scesis onomaton
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, scesis onomaton, The Daily Trope
Symploce (sim’-plo-see or sim’-plo-kee): The combination of anaphora and epistrophe: beginning a series of lines, clauses, or sentences with the same word or phrase while simultaneously repeating a different word or phrase at the end of each element in this series.
We never know what the future will bring. We never know what a promise will bring. We never know and yet we must travel on, not knowing, but hoping for what only hope will bring.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in symploce
Tagged anaphora, elocutio, epsitrophe, example, figures of speech, hope, rhetoric, symploce
Polyptoton (po-lyp-to’-ton): Repeating a word, but in a different form. Using a cognate of a given word in close proximity.
Lovers love loving and being loved.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in polyptoton
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, polyptoton, public speaking, rhetoric, The Daily Trope
Epistrophe (e-pis’-tro-fee): Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.
It’s cold today. The bills are due today. I’ve got to do my laundry today. My cat is driving me nuts today. Why can’t tomorrow be today, today?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in epistrophe
Tagged elocutio, epistrophe, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, The Daily Trope
Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.
I am the stars in your sky, the hope in your heart, and the love of your life. What more could you ask for, baby?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in bomphiologia
Tagged bomphiologia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, trope
Tapinosis (ta-pi-no’-sis): Giving a name to something which diminishes it in importance.
The so-called “fiscal cliff” is actually a fiscal curb. If we go over the fiscal curb, we’ll drive off the road to prosperity.
Definition courtesy of: “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in tapinosis
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, fiscal cliff, fiscal curb, politica, rhetoric, style, tapinosis, trope
Metonymy (me-ton’-y-my): Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. [This may include effects or any of the four Aristotelian causes {efficient/maker/inventor, material, formal/shape, final/purpose}.]
Hey Big Tooth, give me five! Long time no see! Are you still a shrink?
Definition courtesy of “Sliva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in metonymy
Tagged Aristotelian causes, elocutio, example, figures of speech, metonymy, style, trope
Epimone (e-pi’-mo-nee): Persistent repetition of the same plea in much the same words.
The PAC wants to go over Lemming Cliff!
We need your help! The PAC is depending on you! Come to the meeting! Show up! Be there! Tonight!
Be a good little rodent and follow the PAC over Lemming Cliff!
Do it for the PAC!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Anesis (an’-e-sis): Adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis.
My little doggy is cute, affectionate, and obedient. That said, he smells like a polluted mud flat at low tide on a hot afternoon.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.edu.byu)
Paraprosdokian: a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase [or series = anticlimax] is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe the first part. . . . For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists. An especially clever paraprosdokian not only changes the meaning of an early phrase, but also plays on the double meaning of a particular word.(1)
It’s the hairdo, not the hare, that wins the race!
1. “Paraprosdokian.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 4 Jan 2008, 03:30 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 9 Jan 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraprosdokian>.
Anthimeria (an-thi-mer’-i-a): Substitution of one part of speech for another (such as a noun used as a verb).
Are you going Black Fridaying today?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in anthimeria
Tagged anthimeria, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric
Antithesis (an-tith’-e-sis): Juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas (often, although not always, in parallel structure).
My opinion is neither true nor false, neither is yours. Some opinions differ. Some opinions don’t.
Opinions may be judged as better or worse, negative or positive, ill-founded or well-grounded, but never true or false.
That’s the truth.
It’s election day in the USA and one thing is for certain, one’s vote is one of the most powerful ways to express one’s opinion.
That’s my opinion.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in antithesis
Tagged antithesis, election day, elocutio, example, figures of speech, opinion, trope, vote
Charientismus (kar-i-en-tia’-mus): Mollifying harsh words by answering them with a smooth and appeasing mock.
Another Big Whopper! All bun and no meat! Don’t you have anything else to dish up to the American people? Now that you’ve stuffed them with big empty whoppers for the past three months, don’t you think they’re just about fed up?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in charientismus
Tagged big whoppers, charientismus, example, figures of speech, politics, presidential debates, rhetoric
Asyndeton (a-syn’-de-ton): The omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect. [Compare brachylogia. Opposite of polysyndeton.]
Mitt joked, gestured, scowled, shook his head, sighed, grimaced, blustered, interrupted, spoke overtime, and lied, lied, lied.
That guy knows how to impress an audience and win a debate! None of that “empty Ombamababble” for Mitt! He’s knows how to tell it like it isn’t with such conviction that it’s better than the truth!!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in asyndeton
Tagged asyndeton, brachylogia, debate, lies, politics, polysyndeton, Romney
Epitrope (e-pi’-tro-pe): A figure in which one turns things over to one’s hearers, either pathetically, ironically, or in such a way as to suggest a proof of something without having to state it. Epitrope often takes the form of granting permission (hence its Latin name, permissio), submitting something for consideration, or simply referring to the abilities of the audience to supply the meaning that the speaker passes over (hence Puttenham’s term, figure of reference). Epitrope can be either biting in its irony, or flattering in its deference.
A specific form of epitrope is the (apparent) admission of what is wrong in order to carry your point.
Go ahead and vote for Mr. Romney if you want to! If you want to send Big Bird to the ostrich farm, if you want Elmo to talk like George Bush, if you want amphibians to be banned from having relationships with pigs, go ahead, vote for Mr.Romney. He’s got a heart of gold.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Anadiplosis (an’-a-di-plo’-sis): The repetition of the last word (or phrase) from the previous line, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next. Often combined with climax.
If debating is something you don’t enjoy it will show through your delivery, delivery induces the audience’s sense of your sincerity, sincerity lays a foundation for trust, trust wins elections.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in anadiplosis
Tagged anadiplosis, climax, current-events, debate, politics, presidential debates, sincerity, trust
Aporia (a-po’-ri-a): Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one’s hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something [=diaporesis].
How should we approach immigration reform?
Amnesty for all?
Build a wall?
Let’s just say US immigration policy needs an overhaul!
Hey–we should give Joe Arpaio a call!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in aporia
Tagged aporia, diaporesis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, immigration reform, Joe Arpaio, The Daily Trope
The Daily Trope 