Charientismus (kar-i-en-tia’-mus): Mollifying harsh words by answering them with a smooth and appeasing mock.
Willard Mitt Romney! Shame on you! You better be a good little politician and stop saying nasty things about your opponents. If you don’t behave yourself in Pennsylvania, Karl Rove will spank you!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged charientismus, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style, trope
Polysyndeton (pol-y-syn’-de-ton): Employing many conjunctions between clauses, often slowing the tempo or rhythm. (Asyndeton is the opposite of polysyndeton: an absence of conjunctions.)
They huffed, and puffed, and huffed, and huffed, and huffed, and puffed, and spit, and yelled, and made fair and balanced wise cracks on Fox News, and called it Obamacare, but they couldn’t blow down The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Will the Supreme Court demolish it for them?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in polysyndeton
Tagged asyndeton, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Fox News, Obamacare, polysyndeton, trope
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.
Truth will decide what we will do, not the nodding heads of the half asleep sheep we call politicians.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged alliteration, elocutio, example, figures of speech, paroemion, rhetoric, trope
Isocolon (i-so-co’-lon): A series of similarly structured elements having the same length. A kind of parallelism.
Allegations. Threats. Misrepresentations. Your PAC is a PAC of lies.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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.
“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” To these three options, Camus could have added a fourth: “Betray me and these boots are going to walk all over you.” However, it wasn’t until 1966 that Nancy Sinatra made explicit and popularized this profoundly negative ‘way of walking’ in her hit song titled “These boots are made for walking.” What remains to be considered, though, is the ethical import of “walking all over” another person and whether betrayal provides justifiable ‘grounds’ for doing so.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Gorgias has inserted the bracketed words [apparently] and [credibility].
Quotation from “The Quotations Page” (quotationspage.com)
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].
Forgive and forget? Forgive and regret? Where do we go from here?
Is the risk of regretting too great to bear the weight of mercy?
Forgive or regret?
Is that the question?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in aporia
Tagged aporia, diaporesis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, trope
Heterogenium (he’-ter-o-gen’-i-um): Avoiding an issue by changing the subject to something different. Sometimes considered a vice.
Question: “Are you for or against ‘stand your ground’ laws?”
Answer: “I’m for fair and balanced discussion. Let’s talk about what ‘fair and balanced’ means.”
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Aphorismus ( a-phor-is’-mus): Calling into question the proper use of a word.
I’m not for sale at Toys “R” Us, and certainly, I am not a plaything! Clearly, ‘Etch-A-Sketch’ is not the proper word to use to describe me. Rather, I think ‘Flip-Flopper’ is much more accurate–like a pair of those comfortable rubber sandals that make a delightful sound when you walk around in them.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in aphorismus
Tagged aphorismus, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric
Enallage (e-nal’-la-ge): The substitution of grammatically different but semantically equivalent constructions.
Government service is not a vocation–it’s an executive management position. It’s a job! The President is the CEO of the United States of America.
I want to be CEO of the United States of America! CEO of the United States of America is what I want to be!
I’ve been there! I’ve made lots of money! Economic virtues are political virtues. Make me your Capitalist-in-Chief!
Hire me! Vote for me! Invest in me! America’s stock will climb!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in enallage
Tagged elocutio, enallage, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric
Epistrophe (e-pis’-tro-fee): Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.
Stand up for change. Speak out for change. Spark a movement for change. And, for a change, the world may be a better place!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in epistrophe
Tagged elocutio, epistrophe, example, figures of speech, rhetoric
Cataplexis (kat-a-pleex’-is): Threatening or prophesying payback for ill doing.
What you’ve done to these innocent people today will haunt you tonight. There is no one to turn to, no place to run, no place to hide. The red of the rising sun will be eclipsed by your shimmering blood as it soaks the land of our birth and justly heralds your slow and painful death!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in cataplexis
Tagged cataplexis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric
Adynaton (a-dyn’-a-ton): A declaration of impossibility, usually in terms of an exaggerated comparison. Sometimes, the expression of the impossibility of expression.
Sure, he’s going to be elected President of the United States just like that bag of kitty litter is going to feed the hungry.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in adynaton
Tagged adynaton, elocutio, example, figures of speech, kitty litter, politics
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.”
If elected President, I swear in the name of everything I hold near and dear that I will lower taxes, build a fence around Arizona, and work tirelessly to Michigan-size every tree in the United States of America with chainsaws made in the USA, fueled by Alaska, Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey, and operated by non-union workers for minimum wage!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Epanorthosis (ep-an-or-tho’-sis): Amending a first thought by altering it to make it stronger or more vehement.
There’s something about his stiff affect that makes me wonder about his sincerity. No, wait a minute. On second thought, there’s actually something about everything he does and says that makes him look and sound like a complete liar! I don’t trust him. Neither should you.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in epanorthosis
Tagged elocutio, epanorthosis, example, figures of speech, rhetoric
Epimone (e-pi’-mo-nee): Persistent repetition of the same plea in much the same words.
I need more time. Please! Just a few days! I have got to have more time! I need it!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Tapinosis (ta-pi-no’-sis): Giving a name to something which diminishes it in importance.
Are you going to wear your mink skins to the theatre?
Definition courtesy of: “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Climax (cli’-max): Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure.
There is the kindling, the spark, the flame and the light that faces our fears and and befriends us at night.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Prolepsis (pro-lep’-sis): (1) A synonym for procatalepsis [refuting anticipated objections]; (2) speaking of something future as though already done or existing. A figure of anticipation.
1. They’re going to say we don’t have the competence or depth of commitment to make this plan succeed. Well, we say that we’ve never yet undertaken a project that we didn’t have the brains to carry through to successful completion. We’re not in the business of proposing to do things that we’re unable to do! As far as commitment is concerned–we’ve been at this for the past 5 years, forging ahead and making good things happen for this organization. Given our steady 5-year track record, we don’t think it’s too hard to believe we’re dedicated to the cause and that our resolve is unwavering. Bottom line: same old reservations, same old show them that they’re wrong!
2. The die is cast. There’s no turning back. Tomorrow is tomorrow, but today might as well be tomorrow. It’s all over.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in prolepsis
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, procatalepsis, prolepsis, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Catacosmesis (kat-a-kos-mees’-is): Ordering words from greatest to least in dignity, or in correct order of time.
From start to finish that was the best soccer match I have ever seen!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in catacosmesis
Tagged catacosmesis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, trope
Tricolon (tri-co-lon): Three parallel elements of the same length occurring together in a series.
You drill. You spill. You kill.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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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
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. Every time you smile at me I feel the warmth of your love touching my soul.
1. B. Every time you smile at me I feel the pulse of your love pounding in my chest.
2. Now you are married. But, your course through life together to this point can’t and won’t be forgotten: How you first met. How you formed a faith together in the future of your dream: to love, to grow, to share with us, and to be bound by the promises you made here today. Your vows have made you whole and your vows have made you free. They teach us all how good it is to be your witness: to testify to the power of love as we embrace your hope and promise to do everything we can, along with you, to make your hope and love your life’s destiny.
So, here’s to you our friends: To your love! To your marriage! May the spirit of today visit you every day all the days of your life!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Abating: English term for anesis: adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis (the addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification).
Your new house is beautiful! Too bad it’s right next to the freeway.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Posted in abating
Tagged abating, anesis, elocutio, epitasis, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Aschematiston: The use of plain, unadorned or unornamented language. Or, the unskilled use of figurative language. A vice. [Outside of any particular context of use or sense of its motive, it may be difficult to determine what’s “plain, unadorned or unornamented language.” The same is true of the “unskilled use of figurative language.”]
1. I am.
2. It’s time to put the brakes on that tomato–it’s permeating my mind like a frozen pants suit.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in aschematiston
Tagged aschematiston, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, pants suit, rhetoric, style, trope
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