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.
This tomato will not be a tomato until it becomes the “T” in a BLT!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Homoioteleuton (ho-mee-o-te-loot’-on): Similarity of endings of adjacent or parallel words.
Your policies are criticized because they’re considered by experts to be ill-conceived. Your proposals are not oriented toward the interests of the people you serve, and consequently, they too are poorly received. In fact, almost nothing of importance that you’ve said in the past six months has been generally believed. In sum, your administration’s motto, most aptly put, should be: “Nothing Achieved!”
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, homoioteleuton, rhetoric, style
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. She believes I trust her totally, so, fearing deception, I watch her every move. Vigilant to a fault, I’m afraid she’s going to lie to me because she is confident of my absolute confidence in her. What a mess this is!
2. It is hard to meet lofty goals; to fail to meet them is easy.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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 have yet to meet a single deadline I have set! I can’t assign this project to you.
2. If violence should be condemned, then gentleness should be applauded.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
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}.]
Wearing his trusty Chucks he tore across the boards. He picked off the flying b-ball and pushed it through the air. Just like magic, he put three big ones up in lights. Now the score was tied–seconds to go–we were all up on our feet yelling our heads off!
Definition courtesy of “Sliva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Anacoenosis (an’-a-ko-en-os’-is): Asking the opinion or judgment of the judges or audience, usually implying their common interest with the speaker in the matter.
You tell me–who wouldn’t have made those remarks after being verbally assaulted–after being slandered–by a so-called “friend” of the American people? Yes, you’re right–somebody with no self respect–that’s who! Well, let me tell you–that person isn’t me and never will be me. Enough said. Case closed. Now, let’s get back on track, and let’s remember to respect each other no matter how deeply we may disagree. But let’s also remember that we owe it to ourselves and to the people we serve to vigorously challenge outright lies and false accusations and call to account those individuals who tell and make them.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged anacoenosis, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
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.
It is time to trace out the hidden interests driving these decisions, that, on the surface seem to be bringing us to a better place, when, in fact, they’re leading us off track.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged alliteration, elocutio, example, figures of speech, paroemion, rhetoric, style
Antithesis (an-tith’-e-sis): Juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas (often, although not always, in parallel structure).
We should fear life as much as we fear death; for life is death’s portal!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in antithesis
Tagged antithesis, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
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.
It was John Adams who said “Facts are stubborn things.” Following in Adams’s footsteps, but swerving a little off course as he did from time to time, Ronald Reagan once said, “Facts are stupid things.” At least they both agreed that facts are things–whether they’re stubborn or stupid, or neither, or both, there’s no doubt that the facts of the matter must be taken into account, no matter how much one would wish they did not exist.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Gorgias has inserted the bracketed words [apparently] and [credibility].
Quotation from “The Quotations Page” (quotationspage.com)
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.
If you can’t handle the uncertainty, uncertainty may cause you to panic, panic may cause you to act without reason, and acting without reason, you have no reason to act, aside from your uncertainty!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged anadiplosis, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
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.
On a day like this, at a gathering such as this, it would be totally inappropriate to mention our esteemed office manager’s creative accounting practices, his crafty habit of “rescuing” our lunches from the refrigerator in the copy room, and his marvelous capacity for taking credit for nearly every good thing that happens around here, when, in fact, he can’t even turn on his own computer!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in paralipsis
Tagged elocutio, figures of speech, paralipsis, rhetoric, style
Cataphasis (kat-af’-a-sis): A kind of paralipsis in which one explicitly affirms the negative qualities that one then passes over.
I’m not going to talk about all the pain you’ve caused–the people you’ve exploited and treated like trash–the squandered retirement funds and the bogus stock deals. Instead, I’m going to talk about ethical business practices, following the law, and my firm’s absolute commitment to both.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in cataphasis
Tagged cataphasis, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
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.
This is not about playing by the rules, being fair, or being nice. It’s about winning–winning today, winning tomorrow, winning every time we show up, suit up, and head out that door. Let’s go!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Antanagoge (an’-ta-na’-go-gee): Putting a positive spin on something that is nevertheless acknowledged to be negative or difficult.
As we undertake our search for wisdom, know that we may be scorned by strangers, forgotten by our friends, and lost to our families. But once gained, our wisdom will carry us back to public life, partnerships, and intimacies better equipped to cope with the uncertainties of being-together that, under wisdom’s watch, are transformed from fears into hopes, and hopes into actions that will leave us little to regret.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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Tagged antanagoge, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
Asyndeton (a-syn’-de-ton): The omission of conjunctions between clauses, often resulting in a hurried rhythm or vehement effect. [Compare brachylogia. Opposite of polysyndeton.]
She found it, picked it up, threw it at the wall, broke it. What a relief! It was like waking up from a bad dream.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in asyndeton
Tagged asyndeton, brachylogia, elocutio, figures of speech, polysyndeton, rhetoric, style
Epistrophe (e-pis’-tro-fee): Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.
The real estate market is tanking. My stock portfolio is tanking. The economy is tanking. What am I going to do?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in epistrophe
Tagged elocutio, epistrophe, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
Epanorthosis (ep-an-or-tho’-sis): Amending a first thought by altering it to make it stronger or more vehement.
The more they try to make us look bad, the more we should try to make them look bad–no–pathologically evil–a threat to the existence of our way of life, our core values, and the safety of the people we love!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in epanorthosis
Tagged elocutio, epanorthosis, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope
Synonymia (si-no-ni’-mi-a): In general, the use of several synonyms together to amplify or explain a given subject or term. A kind of repetition that adds emotional force or intellectual clarity. Synonymia often occurs in parallel fashion. The Latin synonym, interpretatio, suggests the expository and rational nature of this figure, while another Greek synonym, congeries, suggests the emotive possibilities of this figure.
This day is sad, unhappy, without joy–without the bright lightning flashes of laughter that often lit our stormy lives–she is gone, she is done, she is ended, and we are left here together to fill this time together with words of rememberance sent from deep within ourselves–to summon her bold loving spirit to our time of grief and longing as we begin to learn to live without her without forgetting, without cutting the threads of friendship she wound around our lives.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style, synonymia, trope
Enallage (e-nal’-la-ge): The substitution of grammatically different but semantically equivalent constructions.
I climbed that mountain. That mountain was climbed by me!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Anaphora (an-aph’-o-ra): Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines.
I love my daughter. I love my wife. I love my job. I love my life.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
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).
Finding your kitten was no big deal, and driving 20 miles out of my way to bring him home to you was the least I could do. I can’t imagine you offering me a reward!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Antanaclasis (an’-ta-na-cla’-sis): The repetition of a word or phrase whose meaning changes in the second instance.
There isn’t much room, but at least I finally have my own room!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in antanaclasis
Tagged antanaclasis, elocutio, figures of speech, rhetoric, style
Charientismus (kar-i-en-tia’-mus): Mollifying harsh words by answering them with a smooth and appeasing mock.
Hey–stop barking or I may bark right back at you!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in charientismus
Tagged charientismus, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style, trope
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