Rhetorical Analysis
Vocabulary list 9
Rhetorical Tools—words to help analyze rhetoric
Asyndenton
The omission of conjunctions (F,A,N,B,O,Y,S) between
phrases.
EX:
“Vini, Vidi, Vici” – Julius Caesar = “I came, and I saw,
and I conquered.”
It often has the effect of hurrying the rhythm and adding
force to the text.
Polysyndenton
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Employing many (more than are grammatically needed)
conjunctions (F,A,N,B,O,Y,S) in a list of phrases.
Ex: “In years gone by, there were in every community men
and women who spoke the language of duty and morality
and loyalty and obligation” – William Buckley.
Has the effect of slowing down the rhythm, creating a
“sing-song” effect, and giving equal weight to the parts of
the list.
Anadiplosis
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The repetition of the last word or words from the previous
line, sentence, or phrase at the beginning of the next.
EX: "Watch your thoughts; thoughts become words. Watch
your words; words become actions. Watch your actions;
actions become habits. Watch your habits; habits become
character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
“I am Sam. Sam I am.” – Dr. Seuss
Syllogism
The format of a formal argument that consists of major
premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
EX:
A: Laws that degrade the human spirit are unjust.
B: The segregation laws in Alabama degrade the human
spirit.
C: Therefore, the segregation laws in Alabama are unjust.
Antecedent
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The word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers.
Colloquial Language
The use of slang in writing, often to create local color and
to provide an informal tone.
Dialect
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The recreation in writing of regional spoken language, with
its sounds and rhythms.