Rhetoric and Figures of Speech

allegory

allegory story in which characters and actions are symbols for ideas

ambiguity

ambiguity doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention

anecdote

anecdote short true story

aphorism

aphorism brief maxim

connotation

connotation associated meanings of a word in addition to its explicit or dictionary definition

denotation

denotation explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression

diatribe

diatribe bitter, abusive denunciation

diction

diction style of speaking or writing

discourse

discourse formal discussion of a subject

euphemism

euphemism mild expression substituted for one thought to be offensive

exposition

exposition writing or speech primarily intended to convey information or to explain

hypothesis

hypothesis proposition set forth as an explanation of something

innuendo

innuendo indirect, usually disparaging, remark

oxymoron

oxymoron figure of speech that uses seeming contradictions

paradox

paradox statement that seems self-contradictory

pun

pun humorous use of words alike in sound but different in meaning

rhetoric

rhetoric the skillful use of language

sarcasm

sarcasm scornful, ironic language

simile

simile phrase comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'

synecdoche

synecdoche figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or vice versa (as 'law' for 'police')