Isocolon (i-so-co’-lon): A series of similarly structured elements having the same length. A kind of parallelism.
The clock is ticking. The oil is gushing. The repairs are failing.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Personification: Reference to abstractions or inanimate objects as though they had human qualities or abilities. The English term for prosopopeia (pro-so-po-pe’-i-a) or ethopoeia (e-tho-po’-ia): the description and portrayal of a character (natural propensities, manners and affections, etc.).
I opened the refrigerator door. The cream cheese begged for a bagel. The carrot yelled “Eat me! Eat me instead! Don’t listen to the cream cheese! Stay on your diet!” I listened to the carrot. I stayed on my diet. I am grateful. Yet, I have mixed feelings about eating such a loyal friend.
Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in personification
Tagged elocutio, ethopoeia, figures of speech, personification, prosopopoeia, rhetoric
Diacope (di-a’-co-pee): Repetition of a word with one or more between, usually to express deep feeling.
Unbelievable! You threw away my Start Trek bathrobe! Unbelievable! I’ve had it since high school! It’s a piece of history–Captain Kirk’s picture on the pocket–the Enterprise–the crew–the Klingons–the Tribbles–a visual chronicle of every major Star Trek episode! So what if I look like an idiot wearing it around the house all weekend? Our grandchildren think it’s cool. It’s like you threw away the best years of my life!
Beam me up Scottie! I’m going back to the ship.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Apostrophe (a-pos’-tro-phe): Turning one’s speech from one audience to another. Most often, apostrophe occurs when one addresses oneself to an abstraction, to an inanimate object, or to the absent.
Here we are dear wife, still together, still happy–still friends–still loving every minute of it after 16 years!
Time, you are definitely on our side! You have tested our love. You have refined our love. You have made us whole. Time after time–what a great time!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Synecdoche (si-nek’-do-kee): A whole is represented by naming one of its parts (or genus named for species), or vice versa (or species named for genus).
I need a new ballpoint. This one’s out of ink.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Diaphora (di-a’-pho-ra): Repetition of a common name so as to perform two logical functions: to designate an individual and to signify the qualities connoted by that individual’s name or title.
It’s Bill again–unpaid Bill! Three months, no money. Tonight, we take back the car. Call the sheriff.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Homoioteleuton (ho-mee-o-te-loot’-on): Similarity of endings of adjacent or parallel words.
Saw baby saw! Go ahead, cut down another tree! It’s ok with me!
Saw baby saw–cut them all! Save our struggling shopping mall!
We need a bigger parking lot. So, I say “Why not?” All that asphalt’s nobody’s fault–it’s by design–it’s like a big strip mine that will fill with chugging dollar signs–Escalades, Hyundais, soccer vans, and pickup trucks will soon be queuing up–they’ll all be parking there, filled with shoppers shopping here!
Call me a visionary if you like!
Saw baby saw!
Save our struggling shopping mall!
That patch of tar and stone will benefit us all (not to mention my little business in the mall)–the parking lot is worth so much more than a wasteland filled with trees that harbor wild squirrels and dirty birds–untamed beasts and fowl that harass our kids, build unsightly nests, chatter and caw, dig for nuts, and crap on our windshields.
Saw baby saw!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in homoioteleuton
Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, homoioteleuton, rhetoric
Correctio (cor-rec’-ti-o): The amending of a term or phrase just employed; or, a further specifying of meaning, especially by indicating what something is not (which may occur either before or after the term or phrase used). A kind of redefinition, often employed as a parenthesis (an interruption) or as a climax.
All we’re asking for is food, shelter, and clothing–no wait–we can’t just leave it at that–what we’re asking for, and what we really need is decent food, decent shelter, decent clothing–not pig slop, huts, and rags!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Enthymeme (en’-thy-meem): 1. The informal method [or figure] of reasoning typical of rhetorical discourse. The enthymeme is sometimes defined as a “truncated syllogism” since either the major or minor premise found in that more formal method of reasoning is left implied. The enthymeme typically occurs as a conclusion coupled with a reason. When several enthymemes are linked together, this becomes sorites. 2. A figure of speech which bases a conclusion on the truth of its contrary. [Depending on its grammatical structure and specific word choice, it may be chiasmus].
1. You made the high honor roll! Let’s celebrate!
2. If pain should be avoided, pleasure should be pursued.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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}.]
Don’t look now, but Bulging Biceps is smiling at you. Oh là là!
Definition courtesy of “Sliva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Paralipsis (par-a-lip’-sis): Stating and drawing attention to something in the very act of pretending to pass it over (see also cataphasis). A kind of irony.
I’m not going to say anything about your constant nose picking at the dinner table, but there are things that people do in public that are impolite, uncouth, and disgusting.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in paralipsis
Tagged cataphasis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, nose picking, paralipsis, rhetoric, trope
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.
Hope sets it sights on the future. The future is filled with possibility. Possibility sets hope in action. In action, hope is realized.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in anadiplosis
Tagged anadiplosis, climax, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric
Anamnesis (an’-am-nee’-sis): Calling to memory past matters. More specifically, citing a past author [apparently] from memory. Anamnesis helps to establish ethos [credibility], since it conveys the idea that the speaker is knowledgeable of the received wisdom from the past.
As Friedrich Nietzsche said, “One must have a good memory to be able to keep the promises one makes.” Let’s face it though: one does not need much of a memory to remember the promises that people fail to keep. That said, one should never make promises that one does not intend to keep. I intend to keep my promises and that, my friends, is a promise.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Gorgias has inserted the bracketed words [apparently] and [credibility].
Quotation from “The Quotations Page” (quotationspage.com)
Antithesis (an-tith’-e-sis): Juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas (often, although not always, in parallel structure).
We say hope. They say fear. Hoping and fearing, we are, in fact, making a fractured future. We need to find a way between the extremes–we need to rebalance our hopes and fears and retake the public spheres where there’s a turn for everybody in freedom’s conversation.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Alliteration (al-lit’-er-a’-tion): Repetition of the same letter or sound within nearby words. Most often, repeated initial consonants. Taken to an extreme alliteration becomes the stylistic vice of paroemion where nearly every word in a sentence begins with the same consonant.
I went to the demonstration & saw a crowd of whiners waving signs with sophomoric slogans on them.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in alliteration
Tagged alliteration, elocutio, figures of speech, paroemion, rhetoric
Deesis (de’-e-sis): An adjuration (solemn oath) or calling to witness; or, the vehement expression of desire put in terms of “for someone’s sake” or “for God’s sake.”
For the sake of the the planet, stop the offshore drilling!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Paronomasia (pa-ro-no-ma’-si-a): Using words that sound alike but that differ in meaning (punning).
He’s all trussed up with no place to go.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.
I made so much money selling off bad mortgages that they call me the Golden Dumpster. I am the King of Faulty Futures–the Prime Minister of Mists and Mirrors–the Emperor of Empty Promises! I’m the richest guy on the planet and the biggest sucker-maker in the universe! You can bank on it.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Heterogenium (he’-ter-o-gen-i-um): Avoiding an issue by changing the subject to something different. Sometimes considered a vice.
Was I at Roxy’s last night with your wife? That’s beside the point–your wife, my wife, anybody’s wife–I can’t believe how hard it was to find a place to park! You know, long-term, I think we need more parking–free parking–all over the city. That’s what I’m going to push for in my reelection campaign–free parking! Now, let’s grab a beer and talk about my campaign.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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].
I could vote “yes” on this Wall Street reform package–or I could vote “no” on it. If I vote “yes” I might not get reelected. If I vote “no” I might not get reelected. Let’s see, maybe I should abstain. No! I’m going to vote “yes” because it’s the right thing to do–it’s what is best for you: the American people, my constituents.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Cataplexis (kat-a-pleex’-is): Threatening or prophesying payback for ill doing.
You took my home, my wife, my children, my money, my self-esteem–you took the rest of my life! But hey–there is one more thing you should take—you should take a look over your shoulder every five minutes for the rest of your life! You never know when somebody might sneak up behind you and ‘thank’ you for all you’ve done.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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.]
The car was low slung, loudly rumbling, ready to race.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in asyndeton
Tagged asyndeton, brachylogia, elocutio, figures of speech, polysyndeton, rhetoric, trope
Epistrophe (e-pis’-tro-fee): Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.
I’ve have contacted all the witnesses relevant to the case. You’ve gathered all the documents relevant to the case. We’ve discussed every possible motive relevant to the case. We still have a long way to go, but I think we’re making progress.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
The Daily Trope 