rhetorical vocabulary list one

Front

Antecedent

Back

A word, phrase, or clause that is replaced by a pronoun in the same or in another sentence.

Front

Allegory

Back

A device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning; often deals with moral truth or generalization about human existence.

Front

Ambiguity

Back

The multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.

Front

Alliteration

Back

The reproduction of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words; reinforces meaning, unifies ideas, supplies a musical sound, and/or echoes the sense of the passage.

Front

Anecdote

Back

A short narrative detailing particulars of an interesting episode or event; often refers to an incident in the life of a person.

Front

Allusion

Back

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

Front

Aphorism

Back

A concise statement that expresses a general truth or principle.

Front

Chiasmus

Back

A rhetorical device in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order.

Front

Connotation

Back

The implied or associative meaning of a word, in contrast to its literal meaning.

Front

Colloquial

Back

The use of informal words or phrases in writing or speech.