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
Anapodoton (an’-a-po’-do-ton): A figure in which a main clause is suggested by the introduction of a subordinate clause, but that main clause never occurs.
Anapodoton is a kind of anacoluthon, since grammatical expectations are interrupted. If the expression trails off, leaving the subordinate clause incomplete, this is sometimes more specifically called anantapodoton. Anapodoton has also named what occurs when a main clause is omitted because the speaker interrupts himself/herself to revise the thought, leaving the initial clause grammatically unresolved but making use of it nonetheless by recasting its content into a new, grammatically complete sentence.
If you think Iowa killed my chances to make it all the way–if you think my one loss is every other candidate’s gain–well let me remind you of a thing or two, or three, or four . . .
Or:
There are many ways to deal with global warming–I can’t imagine that anybody wants to see their coastlines flooded–let’s not let another year go by without joining the international community and devoting our fair share of resources to reasonable efforts–to developing and implementing plans and policies–that will heal our planet.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Buy a print edition of The Daily Trope! The print edition is entitled The Book of Tropes and is available on Amazon for $9.99.
Posted in anapodoton
Tagged anacoluthon, anantapodoton, anapodoton, elocutio, example, figures of speech, global warming, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Aganactesis (ag’-an-ak-tee’-sis): An exclamation proceeding from deep indignation.
Your lies, phony excuses, insincerity, and all-around disgusting failure to meet the basic expectations set for honesty, openness, and due diligence in any position of leadership, let alone yours, prompts me and everybody else with a conscience to call for your immediate resignation. Liar! Fool! Fake! Step down! Get out! Go home!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in aganactesis
Tagged aganactesis, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, public speaking, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Colon (ko’-lon): Roughly equivalent to “clause” in English, except that the emphasis is on seeing this part of a sentence as needing completion, either with a second colon (or membrum) or with two others (forming a tricolon). When cola (or membra) are of equal length, they form isocolon.
Colon or membrum 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 slower speed of concatenated membra to the quicker speed of words joined together without conjunction (articulus).
Upon returning home, first, I hung my coat in the closet, and then, I turned up the heat.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in colon
Tagged articulus, clause, colon, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, isocolon, membrum, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, tricolon, trope
Amphibologia (am’-fi-bo-lo’-gi-a): Ambiguity of grammatical structure, often occasioned by mispunctuation. [A vice of ambiguity.]
Barny fed his dog Eddie.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in amphibolgia
Tagged ambiguity, amphibologia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Mesozeugma (me’-so-zyoog’-ma): A zeugma in which one places a common verb for many subjects in the middle of a construction.
Neither hope nor fear could move her; neither bright promises nor beligerent threats.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in mesozeugma
Tagged composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, mesozeugma, public speaking, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope, trope
Diasyrmus (di’-a-syrm-os): Rejecting an argument through ridiculous comparison.
Letting your kids roam the streets at night so they can “learn about life” is like putting herbicides on your garden to make it grow!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in diasyrmus
Tagged comparatio, composition, diasyrmus, elocutio, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, style, trope
Congeries (con’ger-eez): Piling up words of differing meaning but for a similar emotional effect [(akin to climax)].
You are my generous, intelligent, kind, creative, loving, self-confident buddy! My child! My daughter! My rainbow!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu). Bracketed text added by Gorgias.
Posted in congeries
Tagged climax, composition, congeries, daughter, elocutio, example, figures of speech, Gorgias's Weblog, rhetoric, style, The Daily Trope, trope
Sarcasmus (sar’kaz’-mus): Use of mockery, verbal taunts, or bitter irony.
What’s the matter Georgie–did the big bad Congress give you a boo boo?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in sarcasmus
Tagged composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, sarcasm, sarcasmus, style, trope
Anacoluthon (an-a-co-lu’-thon): A grammatical interruption or lack of implied sequence within a sentence. That is, beginning a sentence in a way that implies a certain logical resolution, but concluding it differently than the grammar leads one to expect. Anacoluthon can be either a grammatical fault or a stylistic virtue, depending on its use. In either case, it is an interruption or a verbal lack of symmetry. Anacoluthon is characteristic of spoken language or interior thought, and thus suggests those domains when it occurs in writing.
My Saab averages 30 miles per gallon of gas–who needs a hybrid?
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in anacoluthon
Tagged anacoluthon, composition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, public speaking, rhetoric, saab, style, trope
Procatalepsis (pro-cat-a-lep’-sis): Refuting anticipated objections.
You may believe that my proposal is not warranted by law or expediency. You may believe it does not look far enough into the future or take into account the contingencies that may thwart the fulfillment of its aims. Well, I’m here today to tell you that it is lawful, practical, and forward-looking, and that it explicitly addresses all the conceivable pitfalls that lie ahead! First, as far as its legality is concerned . . .
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in procatalepsis
Tagged composition, elocutio, example, expediency, figures of speech, law, procatalepsis, public speaking, rhetoric, style, trope
Astrothesia (as-tro-the’-si-a): A vivid description of stars. One type of enargia.
This morning I was up at 3.45–I had to drive my daughter to school to catch the bus for her class trip. As we came out the back door, we saw the big dipper low over the treetops in the northeastern sky. As we rode down the hill toward school, we were both struck by the sudden appearance of a brilliant star–maybe a planet–reflecting the beautiful speeding light that races in and out of every day and every night! Sunrise. Sunset. The night sky. The stars. Wow!
And, as we said “Wow” together, there together, being together, happy together, riding together, my heart ached with the painful realization that this moment would not come again. So, I wrote it into The Daily Trope to give that moment a chance to virtually repeat itself again and again.
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
Posted in astrothesia
Tagged astrothesia, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, The Daily Trope, trope
Appositio (ap-po-sit’-i-o): Addition of an adjacent, coordinate, explanatory or descriptive element.
My new computer, the fastest desktop ever made, has a footprint that’s smaller than a shoebox and a 10-tetrabyte hard drive!
Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu)
Posted in appositio
Tagged appositio, apposition, elocutio, example, figures of speech, rhetoric, style, trope
