Simile (si’-mi-lee): An explicit comparison, often (but not necessarily) employing “like” or “as.”
He was so closed-minded that trying to get him to change his mind was like trying to push an armored car up a hill with a lawn tractor.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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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 resources–the experiential and material capital to pull this one off. Well, I say, we’ve accomplished similar goals–even more challenging goals–in the past. Remember the Foster deal? Complicated! But it came off like clockwork! We made a bundle and everybody was happy. And moreover, as far as the money goes, we’ve always managed to raise the funds we need to finance our ventures. Remember how quickly we secured financing for the Panama project? What about the 600 cargo containers for the Singapore deal? Let’s not forget the oyster farm! We’re all over the map–but all roads lead back to due diligence, well-calculated risks, and happy investors. Come on–let’s go for it!
2. I can’t believe you told her about last night. My Spam is fried. The end. That’s it. We’re through.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Consonance: The repetition of consonants in words stressed in the same place (but whose vowels differ). Also, a kind of inverted alliteration, in which final consonants, rather than initial or medial ones, repeat in nearby words. Consonance is more properly a term associated with modern poetics than with historical rhetorical terminology.
The dried hard bud will never blossom–caught in time–somehow dead and alive all-at-once: like a memory, like a broken promise; a broken promise I can’t forget.
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Tagged alliteration, composition, consonance, elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, public speaking, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope
Adianoeta: An expression that, in addition to an obvious meaning, carries a second, subtle meaning (often at variance with the ostensible meaning).
He fielded the line drive with his nose.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Syllepsis (sil-lep’-sis): When a single word that governs or modifies two or more others must be understood differently with respect to each of those words. A combination of grammatical parallelism and semantic incongruity, often with a witty or comical effect. Not to be confused with zeugma: [a general term describing when one part of speech (most often the main verb, but sometimes a noun) governs two or more other parts of a sentence (often in a series)].
You broke my heart and my i-phone–what’s next, my leg?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, public speaking, rhetoric, style, syllepsis, The Daily Trope
Congeries (con’ger-eez): Piling up words of differing meaning but for a similar emotional effect [(akin to climax)].
You are my generous, intelligent, kind, creative, loving, self-confident buddy! My child! My daughter! My rainbow!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Adage (ad’-age): One of several terms describing short, pithy sayings, or traditional expressions of conventional wisdom. [Others include apothegm, gnome, maxim, paroemia, proverb, sententia, and anamnesis {a related figure}]
No pain, no gain.
Or:
“Do not remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a hatchet.” (The Quotations Page)
Defintion courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Tagged adage, anamnesis, apothegm, elocutio, figures of speech, gnome, Gorgias's Weblog, maxim, paroemia, proverb, rhetoric, sententia, style, The Daily Trope
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].
What should I do with my lottery winnings? Buy real estate? Invest in a mutual fund? The money market? Bonds? Gold? Buy more lottery tickets? Ah! Here’s a plan: buy my mother the poodle she’s always wanted, hire a financial advisor, and then go to a Red Sox game! No. Not good. Let’s see, maybe I should . . . ?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.
I am so cool that I can make it snow in Florida on the Fourth of July! Goodbye global warming–Mr. Ice is on the planet!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Cataplexis (kat-a-pleex’-is): Threatening or prophesying payback for ill doing.
You think you will be vindicated by history, but your pettiness, stubbornness, and complete lack of foresight will make your name synonymous with incompetence until the end of time!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Paronomasia (pa-ro-no-ma’-si-a): Using words that sound alike but that differ in meaning (punning).
Fashion maven to police officer: “That Taser you’re wearing is a stunning piece of equipment.”
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Adynaton (a-dyn’-a-ton): A declaration of impossibility, usually in terms of an exaggerated comparison. Sometimes, the expression of the impossibility of expression.
You have as much of a chance of changing his mind about buying a motorcycle as a cinder block has of doing your income taxes!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Epimone (e-pi’-mo-nee): Persistent repitition of the same plea in much the same words.
You promised to pay me back two days ago. Give me the money now. I trusted you. Pay me back now. I want my money! Pay me!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged elocutio, epimone, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope
Climax (cli’-max): Generally, the arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance, often in parallel structure.
Every person, every city, every state, and every nation is a facet of the same shining gem–circling the sun in numbered orbits–circling toward the end.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Abecedarian (a-be-ce-da’-ri-an): An acrostic whose letters do not spell a word but follow the order (more or less) of the alphabet.
He was a listless muddled nobody on pot quietly rolling some totally uncool vortex weed.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tapinosis (ta-pi-no’-sis): Giving a name to something which diminishes it in importance.
The King’s wearing his metal sparkly-hat again!
Definition courtesy of: “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, style, tapinosis, The Daily Trope
Anesis (an’-e-sis): Adding a concluding sentence that diminishes the effect of what has been said previously. The opposite of epitasis.
He was smart, funny, and generally open to new ideas. However, his temper was off the charts.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.edu.byu)
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