Rhetorical Devices
1. Abstract language – Language that deals with concepts and intangibles, as distinguished from concrete language, which names physical objects (lesson 14)
2. Adage – A traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation.
3. Ad hominem – Appealing to one’s prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one’s intellect or reason. Attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.
4. Allegory – A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
5. Alliteration – The repetition of initial sounds in successive words.
6. Allusion – A passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
7. Ambiguity –Doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention: to speak with ambiguity; an ambiguity of manner.
8. Anachronism – Something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: The sword in an anachronism in modern warfare.
9. Anaphora – A rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginnings of successive phrases or sentences. Compare this to epistrophe, where such repetitions occur at the ends. (lesson
10. Analogy – A similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
11. Anecdote – A short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature, often biographical.
12. Annotation – A critical or explanatory note or body of notes added to a text.
13. Antagonist – A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
14. Antecedent – Grammar. A word, phrase, or clause, usually a substantive, that is replaced by a pronoun or other substitute later, or occasionally earlier, in the same or in another, usually
2. Adage – A traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation.
3. Ad hominem – Appealing to one’s prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one’s intellect or reason. Attacking an opponent’s character rather than answering his argument.
4. Allegory – A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.
5. Alliteration – The repetition of initial sounds in successive words.
6. Allusion – A passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication: an allusion to Shakespeare.
7. Ambiguity –Doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention: to speak with ambiguity; an ambiguity of manner.
8. Anachronism – Something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: The sword in an anachronism in modern warfare.
9. Anaphora – A rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the beginnings of successive phrases or sentences. Compare this to epistrophe, where such repetitions occur at the ends. (lesson
10. Analogy – A similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
11. Anecdote – A short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature, often biographical.
12. Annotation – A critical or explanatory note or body of notes added to a text.
13. Antagonist – A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.
14. Antecedent – Grammar. A word, phrase, or clause, usually a substantive, that is replaced by a pronoun or other substitute later, or occasionally earlier, in the same or in another, usually