Articulus

Posted on June 9, 2008 | Leave a comment

Articulus (ar-tic’-u-lus): Roughly equivalent to “phrase” in English, except that the emphasis is on joining several phrases (or words) successively without any conjunctions (in which case articulus is simply synonymous with the Greek term asyndeton). See also brachylogia.

Articulus is also best understood in terms of differing speeds of style that depend upon the length of the elements of a sentence. The Ad Herennium author contrasts the the slower speed of concatenated membra (see membrum) to the quicker speed possible via articulus.

My yard is big, gigantic, huge! I need some sheep to keep it clipped.

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Definition and commentary courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Commoratio

Posted on June 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

Again, he has nothing new to say. His idea of change is changing places in the same old conversation with the same old partner and the same old content. The only change that takes place is whose turn it is to say the same old things–the conversation does not change. Well, it’s time to interrupt that conversation and take it in a new direction. It’s time to take our turn. It’s time to change the conversation. It’s time for a real change.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Ennoia

Posted on May 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ennoia (en-no’-i-a): A kind of purposeful holding back of information that nevertheless hints at what is meant. A kind of circuitous speaking.

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Antenantiosis

Posted on April 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Antenantiosis: (an’-ten-an’-ti-os’-is): See litotes. (Deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite. The Ad Herennium author suggests litotes as a means of expressing modesty [downplaying one’s accomplishments] in order to gain the audience’s favor [establishing ethos]).

So I swam across the English Channel in a business suit–it’s not like I walked across!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Repotia

Posted on April 21, 2008 | Leave a comment

Repotia (re-po’-ti-a): 1. The repetition of a phrase with slight differences in style, diction, tone, etc. 2. A discourse celebrating a wedding feast.

1. A. Love’s constancy is the closest thing to Truth that we’ll ever experience here on earth. Here’s to you. For love!

1. B. Love’s constancy guides us like Truth through this jumble of uncertainty called life. Love takes us home. Welcome home! For you! For love!

2. Weddings celebrate and publicize life’s most important promise. Weddings are front-page news–at their best, they boldly headline love’s expectation of lasting passionate goodness that bridges our days and nights together, as together we grow together and go hopefully together into the unknowable unforeseeable future. So, as we participate in this joyful occasion together–as we dance, sing, laugh, drink, eat and talk, let’s never forget this day’s design and carry its memory with us to gauge the beauty and the truth of all of the relationships that we create together, that we maintain together, that we celebrate together.

To love and marriage!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Periergia

Posted on April 13, 2008 | Leave a comment

Periergia (pe-ri-er’-gi-a): Overuse of words or figures of speech. As such, it may simply be considered synonymous with macrologia. However, as Puttenham’s term suggests, periergia may differ from simple superfluity in that the language appears over-labored.

The previously considered prior point (i.e., the point-before-the-last point) would utilize its aspects in conjuction with their connection with what came after them subsequently.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Catachresis

Posted on April 4, 2008 | Leave a comment

Catachresis (kat-a-kree’-sis): The use of a word in a context that differs from its proper application. This figure is generally considered a vice; however, Quintilian defends its use as a way by which one adapts existing terms to applications where a proper term does not exist.

The blizzard poured buckets of snow.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Affirmatio

Posted on April 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

Affirmatio (af’-fir-ma’-ti-o): A general figure of emphasis that describes when one states something as though it had been in dispute or in answer to a question, though it has not been.

It’s true that he’s ahead in the popular vote.  It’s true that he has more delegates committed to his nomination. Yes indeed, he appears to be winning. Why would anybody ask?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Synthesis

Posted on March 31, 2008 | Leave a comment

Synthesis (sin’-the-sis): An apt arrangement of a composition, especially regarding the sounds of adjoining syllables and words.

What a wonderful way to while away the day. Walking along the Bahamian beach–warm waves washing across my feet. I came here from the snow, and now I know why we fly from nearly anywhere to get here–where the days fade into nights, the weather is just right, my cell phone’s gone dead, and what’s right here, right now, fills my head with the promise of another day away.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Skotison

Posted on March 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Skotison (sko’-ti-son): Purposeful obscurity.

This is not the usual thing they would try in those situations. Get my drift?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Restrictio

Posted on March 25, 2008 | Leave a comment

Restrictio (re-strik’-ti-o): Making an exception to a previously made statement. Restricting or limiting what has already been said.

This is the greatest place in the world–with the exception of our cabin in the woods!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Proecthesis

Posted on March 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

Proecthesis (pro-ek’-the-sis): When, in conclusion, a justifying reason is provided.

I must go now–my family needs me.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Period

Posted on March 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Period: The periodic sentence, characterized by the suspension of the completion of sense until its end. This has been more possible and favored in Greek and Latin, languages already favoring the end position for the verb, but has been approximated in uninflected languages such as English. [This figure may also engender surprise or suspense–consequences of what Kenneth Burke views as ‘appeals’ of information.]

All you good people who are and aren’t our friends, who move through life uninterrupted by guilt and shame, with open hearts and and eyes wide open, affecting charity at every turn, we praise you.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text inserted by Gorgias.

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Dehortatio

Posted on March 21, 2008 | Leave a comment

Dehortatio (de-hor-ta’-ti-o): Dissuasion.

You have a future. It is quite clear: debt, dissolution, disaster. Stop abusing your credit card. Stop abusing your body. Slow down. Pull over. Seek help. Call home.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Assumptio

Posted on March 18, 2008 | Leave a comment

Assumptio (as-sump’-ti’o): The introduction of a point to be considered, especially an extraneous argument. See proslepsis (When paralipsis [stating and drawing attention to something in the very act of pretending to pass it over] is taken to its extreme. The speaker provides full details.).

Let’s not even consider the political significance of the candidates’ clothing choices. After all, choices are only choices, and what the candidates choose to wear is beside the point, right? Take John McCain for example . . .

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Apodixis

Posted on March 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Apodixis (a-po-dix’-is): Proving a statement by referring to common knowledge or general experience.

I did not take your camera!  I just bought a brand new one that’s actually better than yours. Why would I even want yours, let alone, take it? Give me a break.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Eustathia

Posted on March 13, 2008 | Leave a comment

Eustathia (yoos-tay’-thi-a): Promising constancy in purpose and affection.

I promise you my love is true–always everywhere the same–immutable–unchanging–absolute.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Tasis

Posted on March 12, 2008 | Leave a comment

Tasis (ta’-sis): Sustaining the pronunciation of a word or phrase because of its pleasant sound. A figure apparent in delivery.

The vicissitudes of life–these vicissitudes–these mutable, contingent, humbling challenges that ebb and flow and come and go as every day turns, and night returns, and waking falls to sleep: the refuge and haven from the vicissitudes of life.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Traductio

Posted on March 11, 2008 | Leave a comment

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.

A day without at least one mistake is a day that is a mistake.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Scesis Onomaton

Posted on March 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

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. Truthful, honest, straightforward friends!

2. This road is long.  This road is wide.  This road is narrow.  This road leads  everywhere.  And we’ve been on this road–we’ve been riding this road–we’ve been walking this road–we’ve been traveling this road.  And we’re taking our message of hope wherever it leads us–to the large houses, to the farm houses, to the apartment houses, to the cabins, and the condos, the mobile homes and the developments–big and small–to the homes of the free and the homes of the brave, to the tired hungry undaunted souls on the streets and under the overpasses.  To all of you: The future is wide open. Change is on the road. Change is headed for Washington, D.C. Hope is moving to the White House!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Allusion

Posted on March 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

Allusion (ə-ˈlü-zhən):[1] A reference/representation of/to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art . . . “a brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage”. It is left to the reader or hearer to make the connection . . . ; an overt allusion is a misnomer for what is simply a reference.[2]

The defendant took the stand ready to address the prosecutor’s pointed and harsh questioning. As the first difficult and deeply personal question was addressed with a sneer, she took it up and responded clearly, calmly, and concisely without wavering.  It was no apology, but Socrates would’ve been proud.

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1. Phonetic transcription courtesy of Miriam-Webster’s On-Line Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allusion <3/6/08>.

2. Definition courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allusion <3/6/08>.

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Pathopoeia

Posted on March 3, 2008 | Leave a comment

Pathopoeia ( path-o-poy’-a): A general term for speech that moves hearers emotionally, especially as the speaker attempts to elicit an emotional response by way of demonstrating his/her own feelings (exuscitatio). Melanchthon explains that this effect is achieved by making reference to any of a variety of pathetic circumstances: the time, one’s gender, age, location, etc.

“I am worn out, hungry, homeless, cold, and sick. I need help. Can I stay in this shelter tonight? Can I have some hot soup? Can I see a doctor?”  I heard this last night, and I hear some version of it nearly every night, at the homeless shelter where I work. I wanted to answer “Yes” to all the questions, but I couldn’t, and it broke my heart.

We can provide shelter.  We can provide meals, but we can’t provide any kind of medical assistance. When will I be able to answer “Yes, yes, yes” to those three basic life-sustaining questions? Shelter? Food? Medicine?

Well, now it’s your turn to answer: Will you volunteer? Will you be on call? Will you answer “Yes” when a homeless person asks “Can I see a doctor?” Will you help? What is your answer? Is it “Yes”?

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 Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Parrhesia

Posted on March 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

Parrhesia (par-rez’-i-a): Either to speak candidly or to ask forgiveness for so speaking. Sometimes considered a vice.

You didn’t make the cut. Clear out your locker. You’re off the team.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Paroemion

Posted on March 1, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paroemion (par-mi’-on): Alliteration taken to an extreme where nearly every word in a sentence begins with the same consonant. Sometimes, simply a synonym for alliteration or for homoeoprophoron [a stylistic vice].

The delicious doughnut drew delicate designs, drizzling delectable damson drops down Dave’s duck-down vest. “Darn!” Dave declared dragging his dripping dukes across the dreadfully delightful disaster.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Paramythia

Posted on February 29, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paramythia (pa-ra-mee’-thi-a): An expression of consolation and encouragement.

You gave it all you had. There’s only so much you can control. Think of all the good that was accomplished.  Think of all the good things we did from the first day you announced your candidacy. We learned so much. Now, you have so many options. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next! Whatever it it is, it’s going to be great!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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