Tag Archives: rhetoric

Periphrasis

Posted on May 24, 2010 | 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.)

Let’s go to death on a bun for lunch.

Those shoes are so Hollywood.

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

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Prozeugma

Posted on May 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

Prozeugma (pro-zoog’-ma): A series of clauses in which the verb employed in the first is elided (and thus implied) in the others.

Selfishness thwarts charity; narrow-mindedness, learning; pride, everything else.

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

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Diazeugma

Posted on May 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

The stock market’s triple digit dip freaked out the 401K crowd, panicked the portfolio managers, and sent shockwaves across the world’s financial markets.

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

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Symploce

Posted on May 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

Symploce (sim’-plo-see or sim’-plo-kee): The combination of anaphora and epistrophe: beginning a series of lines, clauses, or sentences with the same word or phrase while simultaneously repeating a different word or phrase at the end of each element in this series.

The measure of your happiness is the friends you make. The measure of your success is the differences you make. The measure of your character is the decisions you make. The measure of your measure is the measures you take. Do you measure up?

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

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Antiprosopopoeia

Posted on May 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

Antiprosopopoeia (an-ti-pro-so-po-pe’-i-a): The representation of persons [or other animate beings] as inanimate objects. This inversion of prosopopoeia or personification can simply be the use of a metaphor to depict or describe a person [or other animate being].

I am a big mean jelly bean.

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

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Isocolon

Posted on May 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Personification

Posted on May 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Diacope

Posted on May 17, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Apostrophe

Posted on May 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

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!

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

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Apophasis

Posted on May 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

Apophasis (a-pof’-a-sis): The rejection of several reasons why a thing should or should not be done and affirming a single one, considered most valid.

Should I mow the lawn right now?  1. Do I have the time? Not really. 2. Does the lawn actually need mowing right now? Not really.  3. Did I just take delivery of a new red lawn tractor with four-wheel drive, a 60-inch mower deck, air-conditioned cab, and an i-pod dock?  Yes. So, should I mow the lawn right now? What are you nuts? Of course I should!

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

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Synechdoche

Posted on May 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Diaphora

Posted on May 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Homoioteleuton

Posted on May 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

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!

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

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Chiasmus

Posted on May 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

Chiasmus (ki-az’-mus): 1. Repetition of ideas in inverted order.  2. Repetition of grammatical structures in inverted order (not to be mistaken with antimetabole, in which identical words are repeated and inverted).

1. I took a new shortcut to school. Yes, an abbreviated and novel route took me to campus.

2. It is painful to be blamed. To be praised is joyful.

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

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Correctio

Posted on May 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

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!

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

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Enthymeme

Posted on May 9, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Metonymy

Posted on May 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

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!

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

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Paralipsis

Posted on May 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Anadiplosis

Posted on May 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Anamnesis

Posted on May 5, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Gorgias has inserted the bracketed words [apparently] and [credibility].

Quotation from “The Quotations Page” (quotationspage.com)

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Antithesis

Posted on May 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Alliteration

Posted on May 3, 2010 | 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.

I went to the demonstration & saw a crowd of whiners waving signs with sophomoric slogans on them.

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

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Deesis

Posted on May 2, 2010 | 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.”

For the sake of the the planet, stop the offshore drilling!

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

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Paronomasia

Posted on May 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Bomphiologia

Posted on April 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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