This document defines and provides examples of various rhetorical vocabulary terms including: - Abstract - language that describes concepts rather than concrete things - Allegory - a narrative with characters/events representing abstract qualities and a second underlying meaning - Anecdote - a short narrative of an incident often used for humorous or illustrative purposes - Annotation - explanatory notes added to a text to provide context - Antithesis - contrasting ideas balanced through language for effect - Aphorism - a short witty statement of principle or truth - Apostrophe - addressing imaginary/absent people or things in poetry or prose - Argumentation - writing that attempts to prove a point of view through reasoned arguments - C

1. Rhetorical Vocabulary
By Paul, Josh, and Ashley

2. Abstract
• Refers to language that describes concepts rather than
concrete images ( ideas and qualities rather than
observable or specific things, people, or places). The
observable or “physical” is usually described in concrete
language.
• Example:
William Shakespeare's "To be or not to be: that is the
question"

3. Allegory
• An extended narrative in prose or verse in which
characters, events, and settings represent abstract
qualities and in which the writer intends a second
meaning to be read beneath the surface of the story;
the underlying meaning may be moral, religious,
political, social, or satiric.
• Example:
One well-known example of an allegory is Dante’s The Divine Comedy. In Inferno, Dante is on a
pilgrimage to try to understand his own life, but his character also represents every man who is
in search of his purpose in the world (Merriam Webster Encyclopedia of Literature). Although
Virgil literally guides Dante on his journey through the mystical inferno, he can also be seen as
the reason and human wisdom that Dante has been looking for in his life.
Student, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Machella Caldwell. "Glossary
of Literary Terms." The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Web. 22 Sept.
2011. <http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm>.

4. Anecdote
• A short, simple narrative of an incident; often
used for humorous effect or to make a point.
• Example:
A man in charge of a road clean up crew got
a ticket for littering after some trash blew
out of the back of his truck on a trash run.

5. Annotation
• Explanatory notes added to a text to
explain, cite sources, or give bibliographical
data.
• Example:
Schuyler, Henderson W. "Literature
Annotations." What's New. Dover Thrift
Editions, 2 Aug. 2005. Web. 22 Sept. 2011.
<http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?
action=view>.

6. Antithesis
• The presentation of two contrasting images.
The ideas are balanced by word, phrase,
clause, or paragraphs.
• Example:
“To be or not to be...”
“Ask not what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country....”

7. Aphorism
• A short, often witty statement of a principle
or a truth about life
• Example:
“Early bird gets the worm.”
“It’s easier to give up than to sit up.”

8. Apostrophe
• Usually in poetry but sometimes in prose;
the device of calling out to an imaginary,
dead, or absent person or to a place, thing,
or personified abstraction.
• Example:
Example of Apostrophe Literary Term
The Sun Rising
by
John Donne
Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains call on us?
"Apostrophe Literary Term." Types Of Poetry. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/49-apostrophe-literary-term.htm>.

9. Argumentation
• Writing that attempts to prove the validity of
a point of view or an idea by presenting
reasoned arguments; persuasive writing is a
form of argumentation.
• Example:
We should not read about dystopian
societies because it gets people thinking in
the wrong state of mind. It gets people down
when they can relate to the writing, when
that is usually what you want to do...

10. Cacophony; Dissonance
• Harsh, awkward, or dissonant sounds used
deliberately in poetry or prose; the opposite
of euphony.
• Example:
Example of Cacophony - Excerpt
Jabberwocky
by
Lewis Carroll
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Types Of Poetry Cacophony." Types Of Poetry. Web. 21 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.types-of-poetry.org.uk/09-cacophony.htm>.

11. Caricature
• Descriptive writing that greatly exaggerates a
specific feature of a person’s appearance or a
facet of personality.
• Example:
Silva is so bald that when the light hits his head it reflects right off just like a
mirror and can burn a person’s corneas in just one little flash. (I use it to make
toast, Mmmmmm finger licken good.)
His ears are big enough to fly with.
I’m so hungry I could eat four cows, three horses, six pigs, and a dragon.