Rhetorical Terms Rachel Weger, Tori Lewandowski, Conor Malloy, Nikita Rao, and Jess Reindel

Personification Definition: The attribution of human nature or character to animals, inanimate objects or abstract notions. Examples  The blizzard swallowed the town.  The fire ran wild.

Polysyndeton Definition: the use of several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted. to create a sense of being overwhelmed or in fact directly overwhelm the audience by using conjunctions, rather than commas, leaving little room for a reader to breathe. Examples  He ran and jumped and laughed for joy.  Marge and Susan and Ann and Daisy and Barry all plan to go for a picnic.

Pun Definition: A joke making a play on words Examples  I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. And then it hit me.  I’m glad I know sign language. It’s pretty handy.

Rhetorical Question Definition: Any question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information asked Asked merely for effect or to make a point – implies an answer too obvious to require a reply Examples  Why me?  Are you kidding me?  But who’s counting?

Syntax Definition: The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language Examples Good Syntax: The clever young girl adeptly tripped the burglar in the hallway before he could turn on the light. Bad Syntax: The burglar was tripped by the girl.

Zeugma Definition: a figure of speech where a word applies to multiple parts of the sentence. Examples  "She opened her door and her heart to the orphan."  “The disgruntled employee took his coat and his vacation.”

Polysyndeton “The bar is in full swing and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive with chatter and laughter and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.”

Pun The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

Zeugma He fished for compliments and for trout.

Personification The tsunami raced towards the coastline.

Rhetorical Question How did that idiot ever get elected?

Syntax The clown's short yellow hair, made of yarn, covers its ears but is parted above the eyes. The blue eyes are outlined in black with thin, dark lashes flowing from the brows. It has cherry-red cheeks, nose, and lips, and its broad grin disappears into the wide, white ruffle around its neck.