Tag Archives: rhetoric

Symploce

Posted on April 29, 2009 | Leave a comment

Symploce (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.

Today we celebrate the hope that is honored and fulfilled by our being gathered here. Today is also a compelling reminder of what is not here.

The future.

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

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Epitasis

Posted on March 30, 2009 | Leave a comment

Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.

I just got back to the U.S.A.  Home at last!

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

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Antanaclasis

Posted on January 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

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

When your yacht  leaked, you bailed it out. When your business failed, you bailed out.

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

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Apocope

Posted on January 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

Apocope (a-pok’-o-pe): Omitting a letter or syllable at the end of a word. A kind of metaplasm.

Are you havin a laugh?

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

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Hypallage

Posted on December 17, 2008 | Leave a comment

Hypallage (hy-pal’-la-ge): Shifting the application of words. Mixing the order of which words should correspond with which others. Also, sometimes, a synonym for metonymy (see Quintilian).

Birds do not bark. Dogs do not tweet. Cows do not croak. Frogs do not moo. Stop trying to prove yourself by doing what you can’t do.

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

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Epitasis

Posted on December 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

Epitasis (e-pit’-a-sis): The addition of a concluding sentence that merely emphasizes what has already been stated. A kind of amplification. Opposite of anesis.

I did not mean to hurt you. Not even the slighest bit.

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

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Antirrhesis

Posted on November 27, 2008 | Leave a comment

Antirrhesis (an-tir-rhee’-sis): Rejecting reprehensively the opinion or authority of someone.

I reject your point of view–it’s based on the belief that people cannot be trusted to govern themselves.  If people cannot be trusted to govern themselves, who is going to govern them? Cows? Caterpillars? Coyotes? Hoot owls? Earthworms? How can we trust a person who claims that people can’t be trusted? Certainly, I don’t trust you–not because you’re a person, but because you’re a fool.

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

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Acervatio

Posted on September 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

Acervatio (ak-er-va’-ti-o): Latin term Quintilian employs for both asyndeton (acervatio dissoluta: a loose heap) and polysyndeton (acervatio iuncta: a conjoined heap).

Asyndeton: the omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect.

We practice, we play, we win, we lose, we love it! That’s it. That’s our game plan. Let’s go!

Polysydeton: employing many conjunctions between clauses, often slowing the tempo or rhythm.

You told me you were my friend, and you let me believe you were going to help me, and you kept me thinking everything was going to be all right, and then you walked out the door, and you didn’t leave a trace, and all my dreams were shattered; and now you’re asking me to forgive you and welcome you back like nothing happened at all? Get out!

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

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Abbaser

Posted on September 13, 2008 | Leave a comment

Abbaser: [George] Puttenham’s English term for tapinosis. Also equivalent to meiosis: reference to something with a name disproportionately lesser than its nature (a kind of litotes: deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a thought by denying its opposite).

New York–a little town on a little island in a river.

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

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Abating

Posted on September 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

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).

His new job is great, but it keeps him away from his family and friends.

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

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Synzeugma

Posted on July 1, 2008 | Leave a comment

Synzeugma (sin-zoog’-ma): That kind of zeugma in which a verb joins (and governs) two phrases by coming between them. A synonym for mesozeugma.

Either with luck, hope is realized, or with hard work.

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

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Graecismus

Posted on June 29, 2008 | Leave a comment

Graecismus (gree-kis’-mus): Using Greek words, examples, or grammatical structures. Sometimes considered an affectation of erudition.

There’s a kairos for everything.

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

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Exouthenismos

Posted on June 26, 2008 | Leave a comment

Exouthenismos (ex-ou-then-is’-mos): An expression of contempt.

You are a stain.

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

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Epilogus

Posted on June 24, 2008 | Leave a comment

Epilogus (e-pi-lo’-gus): Providing an inference of what is likely to follow.

They will not live happily ever after.  They will be hunted, caught, tried, convicted, and punished. That will be their fate. That is their future. The end.

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

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Distinctio

Posted on June 21, 2008 | Leave a comment

Distinctio (dis-tinc’-ti-o): Eliminating ambiguity surrounding a word by explicitly specifying each of its distinct meanings.

This “bar” is not a bar of soap, candy, or silver.  This bar isn’t named Joe’s Place.  It isn’t a tool to pry things loose.  It isn’t made of sand. This bar is where we bring our disputes and settle them in accord with principles of justice!

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

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Anastrophe

Posted on June 20, 2008 | Leave a comment

Anastrophe (an-as’-tro-phee): Departure from normal word order for the sake of emphasis. Anastrophe is most often a synonym for hyperbaton, but is occasionally referred to as a more specific instance of hyperbaton: the changing of the position of only a single word.

Perfect, nobody is.

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

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Aschematiston

Posted on June 19, 2008 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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Ratiocinatio

Posted on June 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ratiocinatio (ra’-ti-o-cin-a’-ti-o): Reasoning (typically with oneself) by asking questions. Sometimes equivalent to anthypophora. More specifically, ratiocinatio can mean making statements, then asking the reason (ratio) for such an affirmation, then answering oneself. In this latter sense ratiocinatio is closely related to aetiologia. [As a questioning strategy, it is also related to erotima {the general term for a rhetorical question}.]

We must buy a more fuel efficient car–maybe a hybrid. Why? Gasoline prices are are rising every week. I’m paying nearly $500 per month just to drive to and from work. Even if fuel prices go down, we’ll still be ahead of the game. No matter what, saving fuel is a good thing.

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

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Dicaeologia

Posted on June 13, 2008 | Leave a comment

Dicaeologia (di-kay-o-lo’-gi-a): Admitting what’s charged against one, but excusing it by necessity.

A: I got your message. One more promise broken. One more weekend blown off!

B: I’m sorry. Yes, it’s true–one more promise broken.  I should’ve told you in my message why I can’t come up. I have poison ivy all over my legs. They’re coated with lotion and they’re so swollen that I can’t drive. In fact, I can hardly walk. I really don’t have a choice about coming up. How about next weekend? I hope the poison ivy will be gone by then.

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

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Diaporesis

Posted on June 11, 2008 | Leave a comment

Diaporesis: 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 [=aporia].

Many people are asking: “What does Helen want?” Well, Helen wants to know: should she stay or should she go? Come on! I really want to know! Should she stay or should she go?

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

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Articulus

Posted on June 9, 2008 | Leave a comment

Articulus (ar-tic’-u-lus): Roughly equivalent to “phrase” in English, except that the emphasis is on joining several phrases (or words) successively without any conjunctions (in which case articulus is simply synonymous with the Greek term asyndeton). See also brachylogia.

Articulus is also best understood in terms of differing speeds of style that depend upon the length of the elements of a sentence. The Ad Herennium author contrasts the the slower speed of concatenated membra (see membrum) to the quicker speed possible via articulus.

My yard is big, gigantic, huge! I need some sheep to keep it clipped.

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

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Commoratio

Posted on June 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

Again, he has nothing new to say. His idea of change is changing places in the same old conversation with the same old partner and the same old content. The only change that takes place is whose turn it is to say the same old things–the conversation does not change. Well, it’s time to interrupt that conversation and take it in a new direction. It’s time to take our turn. It’s time to change the conversation. It’s time for a real change.

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

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Ennoia

Posted on May 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ennoia (en-no’-i-a): A kind of purposeful holding back of information that nevertheless hints at what is meant. A kind of circuitous speaking.

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?

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

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Antenantiosis

Posted on April 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Antenantiosis: (an’-ten-an’-ti-os’-is): See litotes. (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]).

So I swam across the English Channel in a business suit–it’s not like I walked across!

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

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Repotia

Posted on April 21, 2008 | Leave a comment

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. Love’s constancy is the closest thing to Truth that we’ll ever experience here on earth. Here’s to you. For love!

1. B. Love’s constancy guides us like Truth through this jumble of uncertainty called life. Love takes us home. Welcome home! For you! For love!

2. Weddings celebrate and publicize life’s most important promise. Weddings are front-page news–at their best, they boldly headline love’s expectation of lasting passionate goodness that bridges our days and nights together, as together we grow together and go hopefully together into the unknowable unforeseeable future. So, as we participate in this joyful occasion together–as we dance, sing, laugh, drink, eat and talk, let’s never forget this day’s design and carry its memory with us to gauge the beauty and the truth of all of the relationships that we create together, that we maintain together, that we celebrate together.

To love and marriage!

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

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