Tag Archives: The Daily Trope

Scesis Onomaton

Posted on March 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

Scesis Onomaton (ske’-sis-o-no’-ma-ton): 1. A sentence constructed only of nouns and adjectives (typically in a regular pattern).  2. A series of successive, synonymous expressions.

1. Truthful, honest, straightforward friends!

2. This road is long.  This road is wide.  This road is narrow.  This road leads  everywhere.  And we’ve been on this road–we’ve been riding this road–we’ve been walking this road–we’ve been traveling this road.  And we’re taking our message of hope wherever it leads us–to the large houses, to the farm houses, to the apartment houses, to the cabins, and the condos, the mobile homes and the developments–big and small–to the homes of the free and the homes of the brave, to the tired hungry undaunted souls on the streets and under the overpasses.  To all of you: The future is wide open. Change is on the road. Change is headed for Washington, D.C. Hope is moving to the White House!

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

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Allusion

Posted on March 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

Allusion (ə-ˈlü-zhən):[1] A reference/representation of/to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art . . . “a brief reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place or event, or to another literary work or passage”. It is left to the reader or hearer to make the connection . . . ; an overt allusion is a misnomer for what is simply a reference.[2]

The defendant took the stand ready to address the prosecutor’s pointed and harsh questioning. As the first difficult and deeply personal question was addressed with a sneer, she took it up and responded clearly, calmly, and concisely without wavering.  It was no apology, but Socrates would’ve been proud.

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1. Phonetic transcription courtesy of Miriam-Webster’s On-Line Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allusion <3/6/08>.

2. Definition courtesy of Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allusion <3/6/08>.

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Pathopoeia

Posted on March 3, 2008 | Leave a comment

Pathopoeia ( path-o-poy’-a): A general term for speech that moves hearers emotionally, especially as the speaker attempts to elicit an emotional response by way of demonstrating his/her own feelings (exuscitatio). Melanchthon explains that this effect is achieved by making reference to any of a variety of pathetic circumstances: the time, one’s gender, age, location, etc.

“I am worn out, hungry, homeless, cold, and sick. I need help. Can I stay in this shelter tonight? Can I have some hot soup? Can I see a doctor?”  I heard this last night, and I hear some version of it nearly every night, at the homeless shelter where I work. I wanted to answer “Yes” to all the questions, but I couldn’t, and it broke my heart.

We can provide shelter.  We can provide meals, but we can’t provide any kind of medical assistance. When will I be able to answer “Yes, yes, yes” to those three basic life-sustaining questions? Shelter? Food? Medicine?

Well, now it’s your turn to answer: Will you volunteer? Will you be on call? Will you answer “Yes” when a homeless person asks “Can I see a doctor?” Will you help? What is your answer? Is it “Yes”?

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

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Parrhesia

Posted on March 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

Parrhesia (par-rez’-i-a): Either to speak candidly or to ask forgiveness for so speaking. Sometimes considered a vice.

You didn’t make the cut. Clear out your locker. You’re off the team.

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

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Paramythia

Posted on February 29, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paramythia (pa-ra-mee’-thi-a): An expression of consolation and encouragement.

You gave it all you had. There’s only so much you can control. Think of all the good that was accomplished.  Think of all the good things we did from the first day you announced your candidacy. We learned so much. Now, you have so many options. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next! Whatever it it is, it’s going to be great!

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

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Eulogia

Posted on February 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

Eulogia (eu-lo’-gi-a): Pronouncing a blessing for the goodness in a person.

Your willingness to risk your life to save our child’s life–to save our little William–merits our everlasting gratitude.  We thank you for your courage and your commitment to what is good and right. You are a hero and we want the world to know how truly wonderful and blessed you are. Thank you for wearing that uniform. Thank you for going out into the night. Thank you for serving our community. Thank you for saving our son’s life.

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

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Epanodos

Posted on February 27, 2008 | Leave a comment

Epanodos (e-pan’-o-dos): 1. Repeating the main terms of an argument in the course of presenting it. 2. Returning to the main theme after a digression. 3. Returning to and providing additional detail for items mentioned previously (often using parallelism).

The past, the present, and the future are the sum of time: the agents of regret, satisfaction, surprise, and suspense. The past seals what-is-done and the future is-not-yet–the present presses into one mass what is known and what is imagined.  Added together, what makes the sum of time some time is me–the measure and the measurer: the clock with feelings counting out the times that will never come again and counting on the future for another chance before it all ends–the past, the present, the future–the agents of regret, satisfaction, surprise, and suspense; and I who bear it all in full awareness that sometimes I revise and sometimes I forget.

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

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Assonance

Posted on February 26, 2008 | Leave a comment

Assonance (ass’-o-nance): Repetition of similar vowel sounds, preceded and followed by different consonants, in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.

We are,  far and above,  about hopes and dreams, coping with uncertainty without cynicism, and making real what seems to some to be empty promises refracted through brightly-colored distracting prisms.  But we know there’s a difference between empty promises and hopes and dreams deferred by those who use their high offices–their elected offices–to silence the call for positive change.  But our time has finally come.  We are many.  As we raise our voices together during these days, and vote together on election day, these promises will be fulfilled–our hopes and dreams will be made real, and bearing the stamp of truth that the law impresses upon what is right and good by those who rightly use their high offices, they will bring our lives–and all of us–into closer concord with justice.

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

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Paromoiosis

Posted on February 25, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paromoiosis (par-o-moy-o’-sis): Parallelism of sound between the words of adjacent clauses whose lengths are equal or approximate to one another. The combination of isocolon and assonance.

Today we headed back to good old New Jersey–back to the place we love.

We went to the West Coast just to see–to decide if we should move.

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

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Acoloutha

Posted on February 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Acoloutha: The substitution of reciprocal words; that is, replacing one word with another whose meaning is close enough to the former that the former could, in its turn, be a substitute for the latter. This term is best understood in relationship to its opposite, anacoloutha.

I am here in Texas to meet you–to stand face-to-face so that we may see the common ground between us.  Yes my friends, I have come to the Lone Star State to join together on the common ground between us.

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

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Syntheton

Posted on February 22, 2008 | Leave a comment

Syntheton (sin’-the-ton): When by convention two words are joined by a conjunction for emphasis.

Time and effort. Truth and justice. Nothing worth doing or having comes easy. Let’s remember this as we move ahead to make a better future.

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

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Synzeugma

Posted on February 21, 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.

With hope we move ahead, and with well-considered goals.

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

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Prodiorthosis

Posted on February 20, 2008 | Leave a comment

Prodiorthosis (pro-di-or-tho’-sis): A statement intended to prepare one’s audience for something shocking or offensive. An extreme example of protherapeia.

Given last week’s tragic events, please be advised that what I’m about to show you and tell you will be deeply disturbing–it may even sicken you. However, given our sworn duty and obligation to serve the people, we must examine all the evidence and know all the facts.

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

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Parabola

Posted on February 18, 2008 | Leave a comment

Parabola (par-ab’-o-la): The explicit drawing of a parallel between two essentially dissimilar things, especially with a moral or didactic purpose. A parable.

A lone tree standing in an open field may attract lightning.

A person without peers may likewise invite destruction.

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

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Intimation

Posted on February 16, 2008 | Leave a comment

Intimation: Hinting at a meaning but not stating it explicitly.

Well, this isn’t exactly our worst effort to date.

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

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Protrope

Posted on February 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

Protrope (pro-tro’-pe): A call to action, often by using threats or promises.

If you pass this legislation, I promise you the world will be a safer place.

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

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Protherapeia

Posted on February 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Protherapeia (pro-ther-a-pei’-a): Preparing one’s audience for what one is about to say through conciliating words. If what is to come will be shocking, the figure is called prodiorthosis.

It benefits us all to face the cold hard facts, carefully examine them, and be satisfied that we’ve honestly considered everything that bears upon this important decision. This is a good thing. This is what we are entrusted to do. This is our charge. So, prepare yourselves to know the truth and be grateful that we have it in hand.

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

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Ominatio

Posted on February 13, 2008 | Leave a comment

Ominatio (o-mi-na’-ti-o): A prophecy of evil.

When hopeful words are called platitudes, when leadership is mocked, when the people’s voice is muted, and the media fails to take stock; then the Republic will drift into disrepair and demagogues will hold sway serving their self-interests as the state’s foundation decays, the public trust turns to dust, and all that held us dear and near quietly blows away.

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

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Paregmenon

Posted on February 12, 2008 | Leave a comment

Paregmenon (pa-reg’-men-on): A general term for the repetition of a word or its cognates in a short sentence. Often, but not always, polyptoton.

This victory is our victory. This day is our day. The time has come to seize the future!

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

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Exouthenismos

Posted on February 11, 2008 | Leave a comment

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

You cheated. You lied. You broke my heart. You are vile.

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

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Dilemma

Posted on February 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

Dilemma (di-lem’-ma): Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

Either you made a mistake, or you did it on purpose–either way, you must respond to the accusation.

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

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Metabasis

Posted on February 9, 2008 | Leave a comment

Metabasis (me-ta’-ba-sis): A transitional statement in which one explains what has been and what will be said.

Now that I’ve explained three of the major causes of air pollution, let’s look at three of the major effects of air pollution.

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

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Perclusio

Posted on February 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

Perclusio (per-clu’-si-o): A threat against someone, or something.

If you walk out now–when we need you more than ever–I will make sure that you never see the inside of this house again.

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

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Pareuresis

Posted on February 7, 2008 | Leave a comment

Pareuresis (par-yur-ee’-sis): To put forward a convincing excuse.

The power went out last night while I was asleep & my alarm clock shut down–that’s why I’m a little late.  Sorry. I’m going to put fresh back-up batteries in it when I get home tonight.

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

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Enigma

Posted on February 5, 2008 | Leave a comment

Enigma (e-nig’-ma): Obscuring one’s meaning by presenting it within a riddle or by means of metaphors that purposefully challenge the reader or hearer to understand.

You always win and always lose when you compete against whom?

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

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