Paromoiosis (par-o-moy-o’-sis): Parallelism of sound between the words of adjacent clauses whose lengths are equal or approximate to one another. The combination of isocolon and assonance.
How many hearts are torn and broken?
How many hearths mourn the forsaken?
Salty tears. Empty chairs. Absence. Conscience.
The whole world cares.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in paromoiosis
Tagged absence, conscience, current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, forsaken, mourning, paromoiosis, rhetoric, trope
Periphrasis (per-if’-ra-sis): The substitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name (a species of circumlocution); or, conversely, the use of a proper name as a shorthand to stand for qualities associated with it. (Circumlocutions are rhetorically useful as euphemisms, as a method of amplification, or to hint at something without stating it.)
I wish Put-in would Pull-out before things get out of hand in Crimea! If there was a clearly focused Camer-on, there would probably be better news from Ukraine.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in periphrasis
Tagged Cameron, circumlocution, Crimea, current-events, elocutio, example, figure of speech, jive talking, periphrasis, Putin, rhetoric, Snowden, trope, Ukraine
Procatalepsis (pro-cat-a-lep’-sis): Refuting anticipated objections.
We say diplomacy and an infusion of a few billion Euro will save the day. A negotiated diplomatic solution to the current crisis is certainly more beneficial in the long run than running across the border waving M-16s and NATO banners. The first shot fired toward the East may be the last shot ever fired by anybody ever, given the nukes aimed at Europe and Putin’s red-hot paranoia.
About the the money: No Euro, no economic recovery, no Ukraine. A few billion is a relatively small price to pay to keep a sovereign democracy on the western frontier of freedom functioning while it regroups and regains its fiscal strength. We trust in Ukraine’s future–a future free from the clutches of border bending criminals and safe in the embrace of the European Union.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in procatalepsis
Tagged current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, procatalepsis, Putin, rhetoric, trope, Ukraine
Protherapeia (pro-ther-a-pei’-a): Preparing one’s audience for what one is about to say through conciliating words. If what is to come will be shocking, the figure is called prodiorthosis.
The years have gone by and we have had to say good-bye to so many murdered sisters and brothers chewed up and spit out dead or maimed by seemingly endless war—war without borders, war without shame, war without victory, war, war, war!
The world is engulfed by terror, hatred and horror. We cry for its wretched regions; ceaselessly flooded by the blood of the guiltless flowing deep red through the gates of hell thrown open by raging blasphemy shouting out His holy names.
Together we have stood our ground. Together we have pushed hard the stem the flood. Together.
And yet, as much as we have sacrificed, today it is my sad duty to tell you . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in protherapeia
Tagged blasphemy, current-events, elocutio, endless war, example, figures of speech, prodiorthosis, protherapeia, rhetoric, trope
Proverb: One of several terms describing short, pithy sayings. Others include adage, apothegm, gnome, maxim, paroemia, and sententia.
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Prov. 22:3 [NIV])
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Prozeugma (pro-zoog’-ma): A series of clauses in which the verb employed in the first is elided (and thus implied) in the others.
Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had a palace–ee-yi–ee-yi-oh. With a life-size painted plastic horse here and a golf course there–ee-yi-ee-yi-oh. With pirate ship restaurant here and a big live ostrich there–ee-yi-ee-yi-oh.
Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had a palace–ee-yi–ee-yi-oh. With a helipad here and a rare breed of pig there. A car collection here and some bottles of Viktor Vodka there–ee-yi-ee-yi-oh.
Oh-yi! Oh! Oh! Oh! Where the heck did Yanukovych go?
Vladimir Putin had a hideout–ee-yi-ee-yi-oh. With a Yanukovych there and . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in prozeugma
Tagged current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, prozeugma, Putin, rhetoric, trope, Ukraine, Yanukovych
Pysma (pys’-ma): The asking of multiple questions successively (which would together require a complex reply). A rhetorical use of the question.
Our crypto platform has been compromised. How did we find out about this? Who was involved? Who is to blame? Why did they do it? How did they do it? How has it affected our reputation for honesty, integrity, and openness? What are we going to do moving ahead? These are the questions we intend to address over the coming days. But today, I can tell you that we . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in pysma
Tagged crypto, current-events, elocutio, example, pysma, rhetoric, rhetorical question, trope
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. Political problem. Violent solution. Civil war. Revoltion.
Riots. Fire. Bullets. Death. Broken nation. Torn apart. Broken promises. Broken hearts.
Ukraine! Today we feel your pulse again–revived by the hard pressure of vilolence and protest, and currently sheltered by a political deal, perhaps, now, there is a way to heal.
2. Don’t forget to write! Remember me in letters! I hope to hear from you soon!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in scesis onomaton
Tagged Broken nation, current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Political problem, rhetoric, scesis onomaton, trope, Ukraine
Sententia (sen-ten’-ti-a): One of several terms describing short, pithy sayings. Others include adage, apothegem, gnome, maxim, paroemia, and proverb.
My wonderful husband once told me, “I may be lying in the gutter, but I’m staring at the stars.”
Tonight, here in New Hampshire, I know what Bill meant. But tonight it is a little different! It is snowing like hell and I can’t see the stars.
Ha ha! That was somewhat funny. Thank you! But seriously, if I were homeless, I’d just go to sleep and freeze to death in the gutter. But I am not homeless! I am not going to go to sleep! Instead, I am going to South Carolina!
Before I board my campaign ambulence, I want to introduce my new Presidential Campaign Manager, Mr. Ben Gahzi!
In the coming months, Mr. Gahzi will . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Tmesis (tmee’-sis): Interjecting a word or phrase between parts of a compound word or between syllables of a word.
Thanks for making me a target, Target! So far, I’ve “spent” $11,000 on my Master-hack-it-card.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in tmesis
Tagged credit card fraud, current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, hacking, Master-hack-it-card, rhetoric, Target, tmesis, trope
Topographia (top-o-graf’-i-a): Description of a place. A kind of enargia [: {en-ar’-gi-a} generic name for a group of figures aiming at vivid, lively description].
The Blue Lagoon
Iceland—nice land! That’s where the Blue Lagoon is. It is at least two acres of water—but not just any water! As its name suggests, it’s blue—turquoise blue—like a lovely liquid pendant set in volcanic stone!
It springs hot.
It’s silky warmth unfurls and curls around the naked flesh below and flashes and splashes the bobbing heads set like shiny little moving speckles on its surface, in the night, under the stars—lit by the small slice of ice-white moon lying low on the horizon, resting on the fuzzy rising steam.
Iceland—nice land!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in topographia
Tagged blue lagoon, current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Iceland, nice land, rhetoric, trope
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 whole bunch of stuff will happen today that I can’t foresee right now—even though, right now, it’s today.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in traductio
Tagged current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, today, traductio, trope
Anesis (an’-e-sis): Adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis.
Kim Jong-un loves basketball and went to school in Switzerland. Not only that, his mother’s an opera singer, he’s building the Masik Pass Ski Resort, and he enjoys riding roller coasters and watching 4D movies at Rungna People’s Amusement Park.
Oh, one other thing, he’s also a ruthless dictator who runs a totalitarian state, purges political rivals, and executes them. Most recently, his Uncle Chang Song-thaek, AKA “Despicable Human Scum.”
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.edu.byu)
Procatalepsis (pro-cat-a-lep’-sis): Refuting anticipated objections.
The opposition believes that our proposal is not warranted by what it believes is moral or by what it believes is practical. We believe, in this particular case, that the opposition’s got it wrong. So wrong, in fact, that their reasoning will take us to a place where none of us want to go be: standing on the side of immorality, mired in a twisted vision of what we should do next, as we waste material and human resources in pursuit of yet another blunder.
Contrary to their vision of what’s expedient and good, our proposal is grounded in what will work and is guided by principles that are pertinent to brining our hoped-for outcome to fruition. All this, without underming our status as a morally sound, reasonable, and forward-looking assembly. In short, our proposal explicitly and prudently assesses the likely pitfalls and prospects that lie ahead, and ecompasses them with a principled and productive plan.
First, as far as our proposal’s practicality is concerned . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in procatalepsis
Tagged current-events, elocutio, example, expediency, figures of speech, human-rights, morality, objections, politics, practicality, principles, procatalepsis, rhetoric, trope
Congeries (con’ger-eez): Piling up words of differing meaning but for a similar emotional effect [(akin to climax)].
Homes and highways damaged and destroyed. Friends and loved ones missing and dead.
Yesterday we were in schock. Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we will begin to rebuild.
In the weeks, months, and years to come we will work, rejoice, remember, struggle, and seek solace in the spirit of hope that joins us and speeds us ahead.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Hypozeuxis (hyp-o-zook’-sis): Opposite of zeugma. Every clause has its own verb.
As Lincoln said, “If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could better judge what to do, and how to do it.”
Last night, President Obama gave a speech on Syria, the pundits yelled at each other, Chris Matthews went nuts, and I turned off my TV.
The House is divided. Whither are we tending?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in hypozeuxis
Tagged Chris Matthews, current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, hypozeuxis, Lincolc, politics, President Obama, rhetoric, speech, Syria, trope
Pareuresis (par-yur-ee’-sis): To put forward a convincing excuse.
Hank, when I was diagnosed with cancer I panicked. Fearful of my family’s future, I started cooking meth to pay my medical bills and to save my family from financial ruin. I thought for sure that I was going to die. Who could have known? Now I’m nearly a billionaire, Skyler and I have a very successful carwash, and I’m totally cured of cancer.
Now, I have an offer to make.
How would you like 10-million dollars and a 50 percent stake in the car wash? Our families can have what they really deserve and we can quietly bring this nasty little episode in our lives to an end.
If you refuse, I’m going to have to give you a 100 percent stake in a bullet to the head.
What’ll it be Hank?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in pareuresis
Tagged breaking bad, current-events, elocutio, entertainment, example, figures of speech, Hank, pareuresis, rhetoric, Skyler, trope
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.
A: Anthony Weiner’s shocking photographic forays mangled his political career, roughed up his marriage, and kicked his supporters in the crotch. I think we’ve seen him go under once and for all.
B: Under where?
A: That’s not funny.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anthony weiner, current-events, diazeugma, elocutio, example, figures of speech, politics, rhetoric, trope, underwear
Perclusio (per-clu’-si-o): A threat against someone, or something.
If you don’t stop the political craziness in Washington, DC, we’re going to stop paying federal income tax. We’re sick of shelling out money to pay for bickering boring bunglers blaming their way toward dystopia in buggies drawn by toadies, sycophants, and lickspittles wearing cocked hats, smelly wool suits, and manifest destiny flip-flops.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in perclusio
Tagged current-events, elocutio, example, figures of speech, flip flop, government, lickspittles, manifest destiy, perclusio, politics, rhetoric, sycophants, threat, toadies, trope
Orcos (or’-kos): Swearing that a statement is true.
I swear, I won’t release any more NSA secrets. I want to stay in Москва, drink Шуба, eat Шуба, and Барыня ты моя, сударыня ты моя all night long! Anyway, I’ve run out of clean socks and underwear, it’s too hot in Bolivia, and I miss my mommy.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in orcos
Tagged Bolivia, current-events, drink Шуба, Барыня ты моя, Москва, eat Шуба, elocutio, example, figures of speech, NSA, сударыня ты моя, orcos, politics, Russia, Snowdon, trope
Synonymia (si-no-ni’-mi-a): In general, the use of several synonyms together to amplify or explain a given subject or term. A kind of repetition that adds emotional force or intellectual clarity. Synonymia often occurs in parallel fashion. The Latin synonym, interpretatio, suggests the expository and rational nature of this figure, while another Greek synonym, congeries, suggests the emotive possibilities of this figure.
Death Valley: Curtains Coulee, Grim Reaper Glen, Termination Trough, Necrosis Notch.
A Hell Hole by any other name will still kill you.
Don’t be found dead out there wearing a Weather Channel t-shirt with a blown out thermometer clutched in the skeleton of your hand.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in synonymia
Tagged congeries, current-events, Death Valley, elocutio, example, figures of speech, interpretatio, record temperature, rhetoric, skeleton, synonymia, trope, Weather Channel
Tricolon (tri-co-lon): Three parallel elements of the same length occurring together in a series.
You marry. You divorce. You pay.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Posted in tricolon
Tagged alimony, current-events, divorce, elocutio, example, figures of speech, marriage, tricolon, trope
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