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.]
The car was low slung, loudly rumbling, ready to race.
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, trope
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. Every time you smile at me I feel the warmth of your love touching my soul.
1. B. Every time you smile at me I feel the pulse of your love pounding in my chest.
2. Now you are married. But, your course through life together to this point can’t and won’t be forgotten: How you first met. How you formed a faith together in the future of your dream: to love, to grow, to share with us, and to be bound by the promises you made here today. Your vows have made you whole and your vows have made you free. They teach us all how good it is to be your witness: to testify to the power of love as we embrace your hope and promise to do everything we can, along with you, to make your hope and love your life’s destiny.
So, here’s to you our friends: To your love! To your marriage! May the spirit of today visit you every day all the days of your life!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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 think you’re obnoxious. You’re totally inappropriate.
Definition courtesy of Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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).
Your new house is beautiful! Too bad it’s right next to the freeway.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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Posted in abating
Tagged abating, anesis, elocutio, epitasis, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
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.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in aschematiston
Tagged aschematiston, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, pants suit, rhetoric, style, trope
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.
Definition and commentary courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in articulus
Tagged articulus, asyndeton, brachylogia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, membrum, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope, trope
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?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Skotison (sko’-ti-son): Purposeful obscurity.
This is not the usual thing they would try in those situations. Get my drift?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in skotison
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, purposeful obscurity, rhetoric, skotison, trope
Apodixis (a-po-dix’-is): Proving a statement by referring to common knowledge or general experience.
I did not take your camera! I just bought a brand new one that’s actually better than yours. Why would I even want yours, let alone, take it? Give me a break.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in scesis onomaton
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, scesis onomaton, The Daily Trope, trope
Paroemion (par-mi’-on): Alliteration taken to an extreme where nearly every word in a sentence begins with the same consonant. Sometimes, simply a synonym for alliteration or for homoeoprophoron [a stylistic vice].
The delicious doughnut drew delicate designs, drizzling delectable damson drops down Dave’s duck-down vest. “Darn!” Dave declared dragging his dripping dukes across the dreadfully delightful disaster.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in paroemion
Tagged alliteration, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, homoeoprophoron, paroemion, rhetoric, trope
Orcos (or’-kos): Swearing that a statement is true.
I stand by that document. What it says is true. I give you my word it is true–it is factual. But that’s not enough–find out for yourselves. Read what I read–the official statement of their policy–and draw your own conclusions.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
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.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in syntheton
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, syntheton, The Daily Trope, trope
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.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in prodiorthosis
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, prodiorthosis, protherapeia, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Intimation: Hinting at a meaning but not stating it explicitly.
Well, this isn’t exactly our worst effort to date.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in intimation
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
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.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in protrope
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, protope, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Inter se pugnantia (in’-ter-say-pug-nan’-ti-a): Using direct address to reprove someone before an audience, pointing out the contradictions in that person’s character, often between what a person does and says.
You say you’re committed to working on behalf of the American people. Yet, when we look at your voting record, it seems that you consistently support legislation that favors the haves and leaves out the have-nots. The “American people” means all of us. Why divide the American people when you can unite the American people by serving their common interests–pushing for affordable health care, educational opportunities, a healthy environment, and world peace. In short, by pushing for a better future for all of us.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in inter se pugnantia
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, inter se pugnantia, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Paenismus (pai-nis’-mus): Expressing joy for blessings obtained or an evil avoided.
I am so thankful that I made no moves in the stock market last week–I was ‘this close’ to selling! Close call!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in paenismus
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, paenismus, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Mempsis (memp’-sis): Expressing complaint and seeking help.
Something is very wrong and it needs a lot of fixing. You work hard, yet you can’t afford college for your children. You work hard, yet you can’t afford health insurance for your children. In some cases, even though you work hard–maybe even at two jobs–you can’t provide your children with a nice place to live. And what’s worse, you can’t even look your children straight in the eye and say, “Don’t worry, everything’s going to be all right.” Well, the only way to make everything all right–to make it better–is to join together and help me help you make everything all right. In less than a year, with your vote, we can turn things around. The future can be better. I need your help. But, I need your help now. I need to be on that ballot in November if we’re going make everything all right. So, . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in mempsis
Tagged elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, mempsis, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Bdelygmia (del-ig’-mi-a): Expressing hatred and abhorrence of a person, word, or deed.
How I hate a cheater–the dissembler, the seducer, the subject of unwarranted praise: the perfect counterfeit of a perfect person!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in bdelygmia
Tagged bdelygmia, cheaters, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Antistasis (an-ti’-sta-sis): The repetition of a word in a contrary sense. Often, simply synonymous with antanaclasis.
It’s better to order your finances than to order more stuff on the Internet!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in antistasis
Tagged antanaclasis, antistasis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
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