Tag Archives: rhetoric

Apagoresis

Posted on May 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

Apagoresis (a-pa-gor’-e-sis): A statement designed to inhibit someone from doing something. Often uses exaggeration [or hyperbole] to persuade. It may combine an exaggeration with a cause/effect or antecedent/consequence relationship. The consequences or effects of such a phrase are usually exaggerated to be more convincing.  

Keep riding that motorcycle and some day you’ll be a red skid mark on the asphalt, or, if you’re lucky, a comatose stick in a hospital bed.

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Definitions courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Coenotes

Posted on May 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Coenotes (cee’-no-tees): Repetition of two different phrases: one at the beginning and the other at the end of successive paragraphs. Note: Composed of anaphora and epistrophe, coenotes is simply a more specific kind of symploce (the repetition of phrases, not merely words).

Hear me! We have journeyed a long, long way. And, I say, we are almost home.

Hear me! Our map is faith and our hope moves our tired feet. And, I say, we are almost home.

Hear me! We are going home to the place to rest, to break bread, to call our own! I can feel it! We are almost home!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Hendiadys

Posted on April 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

Without star and spangles and spectacles, parties’ political conventions wouldn’t be political conventions. Silly hats, confetti, fog horns, and Tele-prompted speeches! That’s what it’s all about.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Paronomasia

Posted on April 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Paronomasia (pa-ro-no-ma’-si-a): Using words that sound alike but that differ in meaning (punning).

Buffet Rule: Just desserts.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Periphrasis

Posted on April 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.)

Mother Romney is no Mother Theresa.  She’s no mother Hubbard either. NEVER a Ma Kettle! No my friends, if she’s anybody, she’s  a regular Olivia Walton. The only difference is that Ann has two Cadillacs & Olivia had no Cadillacs.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Bomphiologia

Posted on April 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Bomphiologia (bom-phi-o-lo’-gi-a): Exaggeration done in a self-aggrandizing manner, as a braggart.

As a businessman I’ve done so many really wonderful things. I fired 1,000s of people. I made enough money to buy Rhode Island, and I didn’t keep all the money for myself.

Clearly my track record as a businessman qualifies me to be President of the United State of America, Inc.

Just call me “The Profit Mitt: Your Blue Chip Investment in America’s Future.”

(Oh, and by the way, don’t forget my charming smile, the attractive gray stripes on my temples, my incredibly good posture, the fact that I go to bed early every night, and last, but not least, my endearing sense of humor.)

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Charientismus

Posted on April 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Alliteration

Posted on April 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Isocolon

Posted on April 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Aporia

Posted on March 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

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?

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.

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Heterogenium

Posted on March 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.”

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Aphorismus

Posted on March 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Enallage

Posted on March 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Epistrophe

Posted on March 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Cataplexis

Posted on March 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Deesis

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Epanorthosis

Posted on February 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Epimone

Posted on February 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

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!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Tapinosis

Posted on February 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

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?

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Definition courtesy of: “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Climax

Posted on February 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Antanaclasis

Posted on February 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Antanaclasis (an’-ta-na-cla’-sis): The repetition of a word or phrase whose meaning changes in the second instance.

Let’s meet at the meet after you’ve run the run.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Litotes

Posted on February 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Litotes (li-to’-tees): Deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite. The Ad Herennium author suggests litotes as a means of expressing modesty (downplaying one’s accomplishments) in order to gain the audience’s favor (establishing ethos).

His campaign promises are not unbelievable.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Antanagoge

Posted on February 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Antanagoge (an’-ta-na’-go-gee): Putting a positive spin on something that is nevertheless acknowledged to be negative or difficult.

As we continue to push for change against the rock-solid Republican Wall of thoughtless opposition, we will hurt and we will be hurt, but at the same time, by pushing, we will build up and strengthen our resolve, and we will push some more, and we will become stronger, and we will start to move that Republican Wall off its cynical foundation, and come November that Republican Wall will come tumbling down.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Abecedarian

Posted on February 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

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.

A big car drove executives from gilded hotels into jumbled kinky lanes.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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Aetiologia

Posted on February 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Aetiologia (ae-ti-o-log’-i-a): A figure of reasoning by which one attributes a cause for a statement or claim made, often as a simple relative clause of explanation.

I do not support that candidate, for he misspeaks too much!

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)

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