Literary and Literary and Rhetorical TermsRhetorical Terms

To study for your test on To study for your test on

The MetamorphosisThe Metamorphosis

Declarative SentenceDeclarative Sentence

Makes a statementMakes a statement

Imperative SentenceImperative Sentence

Gives a CommandGives a Command

Interrogative SentenceInterrogative Sentence

Asks a questionAsks a question

Exclamatory SentenceExclamatory Sentence

Provides emphasis or expresses Provides emphasis or expresses strong emotion often indicated by strong emotion often indicated by punctuationpunctuation

analogyanalogy A comparison to a directly parallel case, arguing A comparison to a directly parallel case, arguing

that a claim reasonable for one case is that a claim reasonable for one case is reasonable for the analogous case.reasonable for the analogous case.

A comparison made between two things that A comparison made between two things that may initially seem to have little in common but may initially seem to have little in common but can offer fresh insights when compared. can offer fresh insights when compared.

Used for illustration and/or argument. Used for illustration and/or argument. Example: “We advance in years somewhat in the Example: “We advance in years somewhat in the

manner of an invading army in a barren land; the manner of an invading army in a barren land; the age that we have reached, as the phrase goes, age that we have reached, as the phrase goes, we but hold with an outpost, and still keep open we but hold with an outpost, and still keep open our communications with the extreme rear and our communications with the extreme rear and first beginnings of the march.” –Robert Louis first beginnings of the march.” –Robert Louis Stevenson, “On Marriage.”Stevenson, “On Marriage.”

euphemismeuphemism

Originally in Greek meant “to speak well.”Originally in Greek meant “to speak well.” Has come to mean: to speak well in the Has come to mean: to speak well in the

place of the blunt, disagreeable, terrifying place of the blunt, disagreeable, terrifying or offensive term.or offensive term.

Example: death becomes “to pass away.”Example: death becomes “to pass away.” Example: “Damn it” becomes “Darn it!”Example: “Damn it” becomes “Darn it!” Example: Victorians first used “limb” for Example: Victorians first used “limb” for

leg or “privates” for sexual organs.leg or “privates” for sexual organs.

metaphormetaphor A figure of speech that compares two things which are A figure of speech that compares two things which are

basically dissimilar. (Example: The ship basically dissimilar. (Example: The ship plowedplowed the sea.) the sea.) Unlike a simile, metaphors do not have a connective word Unlike a simile, metaphors do not have a connective word

(like, as, or than). (like, as, or than). Many metaphors are implied or suggested. (Example: Anne Many metaphors are implied or suggested. (Example: Anne

Bradstreet in “Upon the Burning of Our House” calls heaven Bradstreet in “Upon the Burning of Our House” calls heaven “the beautiful house” built by “the mightiest architect.”)“the beautiful house” built by “the mightiest architect.”)

An “extended” or “controlling” metaphor is used An “extended” or “controlling” metaphor is used throughout the essay. throughout the essay.

A dead metaphor is one that is overly used and is no longer A dead metaphor is one that is overly used and is no longer considered figurative, but rather literal. (Example: the leg considered figurative, but rather literal. (Example: the leg of a chair.) of a chair.)

A mixed metaphor is the use of two or more inconsistent A mixed metaphor is the use of two or more inconsistent metaphors in one expression. Mixed metaphors make no metaphors in one expression. Mixed metaphors make no sense upon examination and are often used as humorous. sense upon examination and are often used as humorous. (Example: To hold the fort, he’d have to shake a leg.) (Example: To hold the fort, he’d have to shake a leg.)

similesimile

A figure of speech, comparing two A figure of speech, comparing two essentially unlike things through the essentially unlike things through the use of a specific word of comparison use of a specific word of comparison (like, as, or than, for example). (like, as, or than, for example).

Example: “This is the Arsenal. From Example: “This is the Arsenal. From the floor to ceiling, like a huge organ, the floor to ceiling, like a huge organ, rise the burnished arms.” rise the burnished arms.”

irony (verbal)irony (verbal) Verbal ironyVerbal irony: demands the most audience sophistication. : demands the most audience sophistication.

This requires “reading between the lines.”This requires “reading between the lines.” Also, this irony takes the greatest risks with the audience Also, this irony takes the greatest risks with the audience

who might misinterpret what is irony and what is literal.who might misinterpret what is irony and what is literal. Might be simple reversal of literal meanings of words spoken Might be simple reversal of literal meanings of words spoken

or more complex, subtle, indirect and unobtrusive messages or more complex, subtle, indirect and unobtrusive messages that require the collection of hints from within the text.that require the collection of hints from within the text.

Compliments the intelligence of the reader, who, by Compliments the intelligence of the reader, who, by perceiving the irony, is in partnership with the author and perceiving the irony, is in partnership with the author and the minority of characters who understand, too.the minority of characters who understand, too.

Example: “It is truth universally acknowledged that a single Example: “It is truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Jane Austen wife” (Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice)Pride and Prejudice). The subtle irony is . The subtle irony is that a single woman is in want of a rich husband as that a single woman is in want of a rich husband as manifested by the evidence in the novel that follows this manifested by the evidence in the novel that follows this opening line.opening line.

Sarcasm: a type of verbal irony that is crude and blatant Sarcasm: a type of verbal irony that is crude and blatant praise or dispraise. Example: “Oh, you’re God’s great gift to praise or dispraise. Example: “Oh, you’re God’s great gift to women, you are!”women, you are!”

irony (structural)irony (structural) Structural ironyStructural irony: some works show sustained : some works show sustained

irony throughout the text. irony throughout the text. Instead of using occasional verbal irony, the Instead of using occasional verbal irony, the

author introduces a structural feature which author introduces a structural feature which serves to sustain duplicity of meaning.serves to sustain duplicity of meaning.

Common device: naïve hero or naïve narrator.Common device: naïve hero or naïve narrator. Example: Jonathan Swift’s well-meaning but Example: Jonathan Swift’s well-meaning but

insanely rational economist who is the naïve insanely rational economist who is the naïve narrator in “A Modest Proposal.” The reader narrator in “A Modest Proposal.” The reader perceives the irony of one who, though well perceives the irony of one who, though well meaning, proposes the conversion of the excess meaning, proposes the conversion of the excess children of the oppressed and poverty-stricken children of the oppressed and poverty-stricken Irish into financial and gastronomical assets.Irish into financial and gastronomical assets.

irony (dramatic)irony (dramatic) Involves a situation in a play or narrative in Involves a situation in a play or narrative in

which the audience shares with the author which the audience shares with the author knowledge of which the character is knowledge of which the character is ignorant.ignorant.

The character expects the opposite of what The character expects the opposite of what is destined, or says something that is destined, or says something that anticipates the outcome, but not in a way anticipates the outcome, but not in a way that is meant when said.that is meant when said.

Example: In Example: In MacbethMacbeth, by Act I, Scene I, the , by Act I, Scene I, the audience knows that Macbeth and Lady audience knows that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have already planned out Macbeth have already planned out Duncan’s murder—yet King Duncan never Duncan’s murder—yet King Duncan never suspects that he is walking into a trap.suspects that he is walking into a trap.

irony (situational) irony (situational) When the writer shows a discrepancy When the writer shows a discrepancy

between the expected results of some between the expected results of some action or situation and it actual results.action or situation and it actual results.

The work has a surprise ending, that, The work has a surprise ending, that, although a “surprise,” still fits the purpose, although a “surprise,” still fits the purpose, point of view, evidence and tone of the text.point of view, evidence and tone of the text.

Example: In Thomas Hardy’s “The Three Example: In Thomas Hardy’s “The Three Strangers,” it is a surprise to the characters Strangers,” it is a surprise to the characters and the audience when the two strangers at and the audience when the two strangers at the chimney corner turn out to be the the chimney corner turn out to be the hangman and his intended victim.hangman and his intended victim.

Rhetorical QuestionRhetorical Question

A question that requires no answer. It A question that requires no answer. It is used to draw attention to a point is used to draw attention to a point and is generally stronger than a and is generally stronger than a direct statement. Ex. “If Mr. Ferchoff direct statement. Ex. “If Mr. Ferchoff is always fair, as you have said, why is always fair, as you have said, why did he refuse to listen to Mrs. did he refuse to listen to Mrs. Baldwin’s arguments?”Baldwin’s arguments?”

RepetitionRepetition

A device in which words, sounds, and A device in which words, sounds, and ideas are used more than once to ideas are used more than once to enhance rhythm and to create enhance rhythm and to create emphasis. Ex. “…government of the emphasis. Ex. “…government of the people, by the people, for the people, people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” shall not perish from the Earth.” (“Address at Gettysburg” by (“Address at Gettysburg” by Abraham Lincoln) Abraham Lincoln)

Extendend MetaphorExtendend Metaphor

A metaphor developed at great A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work.throughout a work.

allegoryallegory

A fiction or nonfiction narrative, in which A fiction or nonfiction narrative, in which characters, things, and events represent characters, things, and events represent qualities, moral values, or concepts.qualities, moral values, or concepts.

Playing out of the narrative is designed to Playing out of the narrative is designed to reveal an abstraction or truth.reveal an abstraction or truth.

Characters and other elements may be Characters and other elements may be symbolic of the ideas referred to in the symbolic of the ideas referred to in the allegory.allegory.

Example: Example: The Pilgrim’s ProgressThe Pilgrim’s Progress by John by John Bunyan or Bunyan or A Scarlet LetterA Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel by Nathaniel Hawthorne.Hawthorne.

NarrativeNarrative

A piece of writing that tells a storyA piece of writing that tells a story

ContrastContrast

A traditional rhetorical strategy A traditional rhetorical strategy based on the assumption that a based on the assumption that a subject may be shown more clearly subject may be shown more clearly by pointing out ways in which it is by pointing out ways in which it is unlike another subject. unlike another subject.

JuxtapositionJuxtaposition

A poetic and rhetorical device in A poetic and rhetorical device in which normally unassociated ideas, which normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases are placed next to words, or phrases are placed next to one another, often creating an effect one another, often creating an effect of surprise and wit. Ex. “The of surprise and wit. Ex. “The apparition of these faces in the apparition of these faces in the crowd:/ Petals on a wet, black crowd:/ Petals on a wet, black bough.” (“In a Station of the Metro” bough.” (“In a Station of the Metro” by Ezra Pound). by Ezra Pound).

Parallelism/parallel Parallelism/parallel structurestructure

Sentence construction which places in close Sentence construction which places in close proximity two or more equal grammatical proximity two or more equal grammatical constructions.constructions.

Might be as simple as listing two or three modifiers Might be as simple as listing two or three modifiers in a row to describe the same noun or verb.in a row to describe the same noun or verb.

Might be two or more of the same type of phrases Might be two or more of the same type of phrases (prepositional, participial, gerund, appositive).(prepositional, participial, gerund, appositive).

Might be two or more subordinate clauses that Might be two or more subordinate clauses that modify the same noun or verb.modify the same noun or verb.

Might be a complex blend of single-word, phrase, Might be a complex blend of single-word, phrase, and clause parallelism all in the same sentence.and clause parallelism all in the same sentence.

Simple Example: He lived well, and he died well.Simple Example: He lived well, and he died well.

SyntaxSyntax

The way in which sentences are The way in which sentences are structuredstructured

Sentences can be structured in Sentences can be structured in different ways to achieve different different ways to achieve different effectseffects

antithesisantithesis A balancing of two opposite or contrasting A balancing of two opposite or contrasting

words, phrases or clauses.words, phrases or clauses. Example: “. . .one seeing more where the Example: “. . .one seeing more where the

other sees less, one seeing black where other sees less, one seeing black where the other sees white, one seeing big where the other sees white, one seeing big where the other sees small. . . .”the other sees small. . . .”

Example: Shakespeare’s Example: Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth, Act I, , Act I, Scene I, Line 11: “Fair is foul and foul is Scene I, Line 11: “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”fair.”

Oxymoron: rhetorical antithesis, Oxymoron: rhetorical antithesis, juxtaposing two contradictory terms like juxtaposing two contradictory terms like “wise fool” or “eloquent silent.”“wise fool” or “eloquent silent.”

Chiasmus/AntimetaboleChiasmus/Antimetabole

Arrangement of repeated thoughts in Arrangement of repeated thoughts in the pattern of X Y Y X.the pattern of X Y Y X.

Usually short and summarizes the main Usually short and summarizes the main idea.idea.

Example: From Yeats’ “An Irish Airman Example: From Yeats’ “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death,” the poet writes:Foresees His Death,” the poet writes:

““The years to come seemed waste of breath, The years to come seemed waste of breath,

A waste of breath the years behind.”A waste of breath the years behind.”

allusionallusion

A reference, explicit or indirect, to a A reference, explicit or indirect, to a person, place, or event, or to another person, place, or event, or to another literary work or passage. literary work or passage.

Generally speaking, the writer assumes Generally speaking, the writer assumes the educated reader will recognize the the educated reader will recognize the reference. reference.

Often humorous, but not always. Often humorous, but not always. Establishes a connection between writer Establishes a connection between writer

and reader, or to make a subtle point.and reader, or to make a subtle point. Example: “In gulfs enchanted, where the Example: “In gulfs enchanted, where the

Siren Siren sings.” sings.”

ConnotationConnotation

An implication or association An implication or association attached to a word or phrase. A attached to a word or phrase. A connotation is suggested or felt connotation is suggested or felt rather than being explicit. rather than being explicit.