Epizeuxis (e-pi-zook’-sis): Repetition of words with no others between, for vehemence or emphasis.
You are nothing but trouble–trouble, trouble, trouble!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Tagged composition, elocutio, epizeuxis, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope
Dendographia (den-dro-graf’-ia): Creating an illusion of reality through vivid description of a tree.
Driving alone along the winding country road–early morning–late autumn–just snowed–there’s an apple tree off in an overgrown abandoned field–unprotected, unpruned; abandoned like the field, but still faithful to the season set with bright red apples–untouched, untended, twisted gray & groping old tree–but red, red, red, red–too many pretty apples to count, too much left unsaid.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, dendrographia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
Apodioxis (ap-o-di-ox’-is): Rejecting of someone or something (such as the adversary’s argument) as being impertinent, needless, absurd, false, or wicked.
I can’t believe what I just heard! You say the death penalty saves money–it’s cheaper than life sentences–we’ll save money on food and “housing” if we take prisoners’ lives–comparing the cost of a lethal injection to the cost of a life sentence as a good reason for supporting the death penalty is absurd–no it’s worse than absurd–it’s downright evil! Let’s just call your so-called argument “accounting gone wild” or “bookkeeping for psychopaths” and move on to something worth talking about–something to the point–something reasonable!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Asteismus (as-te-is’-mus): Polite or genteel mockery. More specifically, a figure of reply in which the answerer catches a certain word and throws it back to the first speaker with an unexpected twist. Less frequently, a witty use of allegory or comparison, such as when a literal and an allegorical meaning are both implied.
Rudy: I can’t help but thinking you’re a fool to talk like that to the President.
Dennis: Then, my friend, I’ve fooled you.
Rudy: What kind of fool would play the fool?
Dennis: The one that’s in this play called ‘politics’–where pretense bears the weight of being earnest and speech is more likely to be heard when spoken by a cocksure jerk–apparently unaffected–directly to the face of power!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged allegory, asteismus, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Sarcasmus (sar’kaz’-mus): Use of mockery, verbal taunts, or bitter irony.
What’s the matter Georgie–did the big bad Congress give you a boo boo?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Tagged composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, sarcasm, sarcasmus, style, trope
Onomatopoeia (on-o-mat-o-pee’-a): Using or inventing a word whose sound imitates that which it names (the union of phonetics and semantics).
The Cheese Doodles bag kroowooshed when he opened it.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, elocutio, figures of speech, onomatopoeia, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Apocarteresis (a-po-car-ter’-e-sis): Casting of all hope away from one thing and placing it on another source altogether.
All my life I thought that wealth and fame were the two keys to ultimate happiness. Now, after all, I realize that there is no key to ultimate happiness, rather, happiness is the key.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged apocarteresis, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Antisagoge (an-tis-a-go’-gee): 1. Making a concession before making one’s point (=paromologia); 2. Using a hypothetical situation or a precept to illustrate antithetical alternative consequences, typically promises of reward and punishment.
1. There’s no doubt that there’s a high degree of risk involved, but if we don’t act now all bets are off.
2. Imagine this: It comes to your attention that one of your fellow employees is stealing office supplies to support the small business he’s set up on the side to defray the costs of his wife’s cancer treatment. What should you do? If you turn him in, he will be fired. If you don’t turn him in, you will be fired. What should you do? Be creative–surely there are more than two possible choices!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged antisagoge, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, paromologia, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Catacosmesis (kat-a-kos-mees’-is): Ordering words from greatest to least in dignity, or in correct order of time.
From sunrise to sunset–sunset to sunrise–morning, noon, and night–there is no time that is not the right time for eyes-wide-open vigilance.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Tagged catacosmesis, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Thaumasmus (thau-mas’-mus): To marvel at something rather than to state it in a matter of fact way.
I am amazed by your “So what?” attitude toward the miserable consequences of so many failed decisions!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style, thaumasmus
Paromologia (par-o-mo-lo’-gi-a): Conceding an argument, either jestingly and contemptuously, or to prove a more important point. A synonym for concessio.
Yup, I’m late to yet another weekly meeting–last week there was an accident–two weeks ago there was construction–today it was the fire. Who knows what it’ll be next! Let’s explore using our video conferencing capabilities for three of the four meetings we have each month, and keep one meeting face to face–with a flexible start time. That way, we’ll save money, start most of our meetings on time, and generally, be more productive. What say?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in paromologia
Tagged composition, concessio, elocutio, figures of speech, paromologia, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Hendiadys (hen-di’-a-dis): Expressing a single idea by two nouns [joined by a conjunction] instead of a noun and its qualifier. A method of amplification that adds force. Hendiadys can be considered a specific application of anthimeria, the more general term indicating the substitution of one part of speech for another. Hendiadys [is realted to polysyndeton–it] increases the use of conjunctions in a sentence in the very act of transforming an adjective-noun combination into two nouns. [In addition,] making an adjective a noun changes it from a subordinate to an ordinate or parallel position, inviting one to consider the nouns as related but distinct. Like hendiadys, paradiastole divides out and distinguishes terms normally considered completely consistent with one another.
It wasn’t the sparkle, or the diamonds, or the two rings that made that night a special night–it was the commitment we exchanged.
vs.
It wasn’t the two sparkling diamond rings that made that night a special night–it was the commitment we exchanged.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in hendiadys
Tagged anthimeria, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, hendiadys, paradiastole, polysyndeton, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Chronographia (chro-no-graph’-i-a): Vivid representation of a certain historical or recurring time (such as a season) to create an illusion of reality. A kind of enargia: [the] generic name for a group of figures aiming at vivid, lively description.
Twilight at winter’s edge–leafless trees sketched in pen and ink along the tangled hedgerow–long-fingered shadows stroking the open field–there’s the moon pale pink rising! So sweet! Let’s build a bonfire, summon the frost, and talk about the first-snow-falling!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Tagged chronographia, composition, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Anthypophora (an’-thi-po’-phor-a): A figure of reasoning in which one asks and then immediately answers one’s own questions (or raises and then settles imaginary objections). Reasoning aloud. Anthypophora sometimes takes the form of asking the audience or one’s adversary what can be said on a matter, and thus can involve both anacoenosis and apostrophe.
Sure, it’s raining, cold, and fairly late. You want to stay home. So does everybody else in the world! So hey, when will we have a better chance of finding a parking place close to Saks, getting in there, getting the shoes you need for school, and getting right back out the door? We’ll be back home in time to watch “CSI Miami”! Come on, let’s go!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged anthypophora, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Tmesis (tmee’-sis): Interjecting a word or phrase between parts of a compound word or between syllables of a word.
This is the most ridiculous proposal we’ve ever had put in front of us! It’ll result in another piece of legis-Bozo-lation–a law written by clowns to guide their circus act! I say, no way will I ever vote to approve it, and neither should you!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in tmesis
Tagged composition, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style, tmesis
Diaskeue (di-as-keu’-ee): Graphic peristasis (description of circumstances) intended to arouse the emotions.
Look! Look at this! This is his face–his head–a horrible jagged scar from cheek to ear, ear to forehead, forehead to the back of his neck; and what’s more, a battered heart beating out panic attacks like he’s on a constant roller-coaster ride from hell! They put in him in harm’s way, and there is nothing in the world (not even love and money) that can make his mind and body whole again. Nothing!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, diaskeue, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Pysma (pys’-ma): The asking of multiple questions successively (which would together require a complex reply). A rhetorical use of the question.
How many times do we have to come to the table? What is the meaning of all this back-stabbing? Who is responsible for starting this conflict? Is this the way we want to live? Why can’t we compromise? Why can’t we just leave each other alone?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, pysma, rhetoric, rhetorical question, style
Accismus (ak-iz’-mus): A feigned refusal of that which is earnestly desired.
Oh wow! You are too generous–I couldn’t possibly accept that Rolex watch! I can’t imagine how what I did deserves that kind of recognition! No! Take it back!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged accismus, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Anacoluthon (an-a-co-lu’-thon): A grammatical interruption or lack of implied sequence within a sentence. That is, beginning a sentence in a way that implies a certain logical resolution, but concluding it differently than the grammar leads one to expect. Anacoluthon can be either a grammatical fault or a stylistic virtue, depending on its use. In either case, it is an interruption or a verbal lack of symmetry. Anacoluthon is characteristic of spoken language or interior thought, and thus suggests those domains when it occurs in writing.
My Saab averages 30 miles per gallon of gas–who needs a hybrid?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged anacoluthon, composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, saab, style, trope
Comprobatio (com-pro-ba’-ti-o): Approving and commending a virtue, especially in the hearers.
The operation was a complete success! As a team, as expected (as ever) you displayed courage, resourcefulness, and camaraderie–three key virtues that have enabled us to successfully complete our missions without losing anybody; no matter how weird it gets out there and no matter how many unexpected events we encounter along the way!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged comprobatio, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style, teamwork
Procatalepsis (pro-cat-a-lep’-sis): Refuting anticipated objections.
You may believe that my proposal is not warranted by law or expediency. You may believe it does not look far enough into the future or take into account the contingencies that may thwart the fulfillment of its aims. Well, I’m here today to tell you that it is lawful, practical, and forward-looking, and that it explicitly addresses all the conceivable pitfalls that lie ahead! First, as far as its legality is concerned . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, elocutio, example, expediency, figures of speech, law, procatalepsis, public speaking, rhetoric, style, trope
Eucharistia (eu-cha-ris’-ti-a): Giving thanks for a benefit received, sometimes adding one’s inability to repay.
Wow! I never expected a new Ducati for my birthday. Thank you so much–there’s no way I’ll ever be able to match this one on your birthday! You are the best! Want to go for a ride?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in eucharistia
Tagged composition, Ducati, elocutio, eucharistia, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Enantiosis (e-nan-ti-o’-sis): Using opposing or contrary descriptions together, typically in a somewhat paradoxical manner.
Hope may enable you to persevere, but on the other hand, it may keep you stuck in a rut without realizing it!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged composition, elocutio, enantiosis, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
Merismus (mer-is’-mus): The dividing of a whole into its parts.
My truck has a rusted body, bald tires, a clattering engine, squeaky brakes, a broken radio, worn out seats, a cracked windshield, and a smoky tailpipe. Should I call the junkyard?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Aposiopesis (a-pos-i-o-pee’-sis): Breaking off suddenly in the middle of speaking, usually to portray being overcome with emotion.
And then the fire came over the hill right toward me–it was moving so fast–it was–oh, please, I can’t talk about it–it was–I can’t, I can’t–please turn off the camera!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged aposiopesis, composition, elocutio, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, style
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