Rhetorical Terms Lists 1-4

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What is a euphemism?

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A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that may be considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant. Example: 'She passed away' instead of 'She died.'

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What does connotative meaning refer to?

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Connotative meaning refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries, which can differ from its literal dictionary definition. It can change over time and can be completely different from the denotative meaning.

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What is chiasmus?

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Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form. Example: 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.'

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What is a loose sentence?

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A loose sentence is a type of sentence structure where the main idea is presented at the beginning, followed by additional information. Example: 'Paige was accepted, her life changed, her dreams seemed attainable, and her mother was proud.'

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What is a conceit in literature?

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A conceit is an extended metaphor that makes a surprising or unusual comparison between two unlike things, often witty or fanciful. Example: Comparing love to a journey.

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What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

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Denotation is the literal meaning of a word, while connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that the word carries.

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What is an example of a colloquialism?

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A colloquialism is a word or phrase that is used in informal language. Example: 'Gonna' instead of 'going to.'

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What is parallel structure?

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Parallel structure is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. It helps to create rhythm and clarity. Example: 'I like swimming, biking, and running.'

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What is an allusion?

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An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

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What is an oxymoron?

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An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: 'Deafening silence.'