BEAUTIFULLY OBSCURE WORDS
About | New| Feedback | Help | Home | Sitemaps
Reference Corner: helpful guide to help you learn more about language and words
DIRECTORY OF LOGOPHILE LIBRARY
words are categorized by chapters in individual lists or features. Features are by topic & present extensive vocabulary, research, articles & narratives.
Home Page ~ Word List Index ~ Featured Words
Literary, Language, Writing and Words
Obscure, Rare, Unusual and Obsolete
Creative, Deep, Intellectual and Profound
Dark, Melancholic, Mystical and Risqué
The Universe and World We Live In
The Exotic Languages of the World
DISCOVER MORE WORDS
This Site is Part of a Series of Beautiful Words
Books - Blogs - Guides - Narratives ~ Manuals
VOCABULARY GUIDES | VIEW ALL MY GUIDES
SEARCH THIS SITE FOR WORDS
Search site below or use Advanced Search to search the site & content in my vocabulary books.
About | New| Feedback | Help | Home | Sitemaps
Reference Corner: helpful guide to help you learn more about language and words
DIRECTORY OF LOGOPHILE LIBRARY
words are categorized by chapters in individual lists or features. Features are by topic & present extensive vocabulary, research, articles & narratives.
Home Page ~ Word List Index ~ Featured Words
Literary, Language, Writing and Words
Obscure, Rare, Unusual and Obsolete
Creative, Deep, Intellectual and Profound
Dark, Melancholic, Mystical and Risqué
The Universe and World We Live In
The Exotic Languages of the World
DISCOVER MORE WORDS
This Site is Part of a Series of Beautiful Words
Books - Blogs - Guides - Narratives ~ Manuals
VOCABULARY GUIDES | VIEW ALL MY GUIDES
SEARCH THIS SITE FOR WORDS
Search site below or use Advanced Search to search the site & content in my vocabulary books.
RHETORICAL RHAPSODY HOME
Download Rhapsody as a Word Guide
DIRECTORY OF DEVICES
Dramatic Imagery and Expressive Emphasis
Tale of Context and Meaning
Slapstick Comedy of Humor and Wit
The Creative Use of Language
Rhetorical Repetition for Emphasis
Relating to the Word Relations
The Art of a Persuasive Argument
GLOSSARIES OF RHETORIC
Factoring in the Figures of Speech
Methods to Heighten Dramatic Effect
Glossary of Rhetorical Terms
See Also: Literary Devices | Poetic Devices
THE RHAPSODY IS A SPECIAL FEATURE OF
TOUCH OF THE INTELLECT
Knowledge - Profound - Speech ~ Grammar
Creativity ~ Technology - Academics
Download Rhapsody as a Word Guide
DIRECTORY OF DEVICES
Dramatic Imagery and Expressive Emphasis
Tale of Context and Meaning
Slapstick Comedy of Humor and Wit
The Creative Use of Language
Rhetorical Repetition for Emphasis
Relating to the Word Relations
The Art of a Persuasive Argument
GLOSSARIES OF RHETORIC
Factoring in the Figures of Speech
Methods to Heighten Dramatic Effect
Glossary of Rhetorical Terms
See Also: Literary Devices | Poetic Devices
THE RHAPSODY IS A SPECIAL FEATURE OF
TOUCH OF THE INTELLECT
Knowledge - Profound - Speech ~ Grammar
Creativity ~ Technology - Academics
THE ART OF CONTEXT AND MEANING
The word ‘meaning’ is incredibly confusing. A simple meaning of meaning; what is intended to be, or what is signified, indicated, referred to, or understood. In semantics (the study of meaning) and pragmatics, meaning is a message conveyed by words, sentences, and symbols in a context. One of the crucial questions which unites different approaches to linguistic semantics is that of the relationship between form and meaning. The meaning of a word is fully reflected by its context.
A sentence expresses a more or less complete propositional content, which is semantic meaning, and extra pragmatic meaning comes from a particular context in which the sentence is uttered.
Figurative meaning is the metaphorical, idiomatic, or ironic sense of a word or expression
Literal meaning is not formed from metaphorical, ironic, hyperbolic, or sarcastic language.
Ambiguity is a statement which has two or more possible meanings or whose meaning is unclear
How do we know the difference?
We process non-literal language in three stages.
Figurative language is extensively used in storytelling. But you knew that!
A sentence expresses a more or less complete propositional content, which is semantic meaning, and extra pragmatic meaning comes from a particular context in which the sentence is uttered.
Figurative meaning is the metaphorical, idiomatic, or ironic sense of a word or expression
Literal meaning is not formed from metaphorical, ironic, hyperbolic, or sarcastic language.
Ambiguity is a statement which has two or more possible meanings or whose meaning is unclear
How do we know the difference?
We process non-literal language in three stages.
- We derive the literal meaning of what we hear.
- We test the literal meaning against the context to see if it is consistent with it.
- If the literal meaning does not make sense with the context, we seek an alternative, metaphorical meaning.
Figurative language is extensively used in storytelling. But you knew that!
DERIVING MEANING IN RHETORIC
Ambiguity - a word, phrase, or sentence whose meaning can be interpreted in more than one way
Analogy - an extended comparison between two things/instances/people etc. that share some similarity to make a point
Auxesis - hyperbole or augmentation of meaning
Connotation - the emotions, values, or images associated with a word. The intensity of emotions or the power of the values and images associated with a word varies.
Denotation - the literal meaning of a word; there are no emotions, values, or images associated with denotative meaning. Scientific and mathematical language carries few, if any emotional or connotative meanings
Diatyposis - vivid and clear description of a subject to provide meaning
Dilogy - intentional ambiguousness
Diction - a writer's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning
Ecphasis - explicit declaration or interpretation
Ecphrasis - interpretation of something
Elegiac - a tone involving mourning or expressing sorrow for that which is irrecoverably past
Homonym - words with the same pronunciation and / or spelling but with different meanings
Hyperbaton - separation of words which belong together, often to emphasize the first of the separated words or to create a certain meaning
Imagery - descriptive language that provides vivid images that evoke the senses and help provide meaning
Inductive reasoning - reasoning that moves from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories; uses observations to detect patterns and regularities, and develops a hypothesis and later broader theories based on these observations (bottom-up approach)
Juxtaposition - placing two or more things side by side for comparison or contrast
Noema - stating something obscurely, forcing listeners to work it out
Paradigma - provide meaning by comparison to similar idea
Paradox - apparently self-contradictory statement, the underlying meaning of which is revealed only by careful scrutiny; its purpose is to arrest attention and provoke fresh thought
Paroemia - proverb or adage used in argumentation
Syllepsis - use of a word with two others, each understood differently
Syllogism - two premises lead to a logical conclusion
Syncrisis - comparison of diverse or contradictory things
Synonym - use of words with the same or similar meanings
Thesis - from the Greek word for ‘a proposition,’ a thesis is a clear statement of the theory or argument
Analogy - an extended comparison between two things/instances/people etc. that share some similarity to make a point
Auxesis - hyperbole or augmentation of meaning
Connotation - the emotions, values, or images associated with a word. The intensity of emotions or the power of the values and images associated with a word varies.
Denotation - the literal meaning of a word; there are no emotions, values, or images associated with denotative meaning. Scientific and mathematical language carries few, if any emotional or connotative meanings
Diatyposis - vivid and clear description of a subject to provide meaning
Dilogy - intentional ambiguousness
Diction - a writer's choice of words, phrases, sentence structures, and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning
Ecphasis - explicit declaration or interpretation
Ecphrasis - interpretation of something
Elegiac - a tone involving mourning or expressing sorrow for that which is irrecoverably past
Homonym - words with the same pronunciation and / or spelling but with different meanings
- their – there
- ball (toy) – ball (dance event)
- hear – here
Hyperbaton - separation of words which belong together, often to emphasize the first of the separated words or to create a certain meaning
Imagery - descriptive language that provides vivid images that evoke the senses and help provide meaning
Inductive reasoning - reasoning that moves from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories; uses observations to detect patterns and regularities, and develops a hypothesis and later broader theories based on these observations (bottom-up approach)
Juxtaposition - placing two or more things side by side for comparison or contrast
Noema - stating something obscurely, forcing listeners to work it out
Paradigma - provide meaning by comparison to similar idea
Paradox - apparently self-contradictory statement, the underlying meaning of which is revealed only by careful scrutiny; its purpose is to arrest attention and provoke fresh thought
Paroemia - proverb or adage used in argumentation
Syllepsis - use of a word with two others, each understood differently
Syllogism - two premises lead to a logical conclusion
Syncrisis - comparison of diverse or contradictory things
Synonym - use of words with the same or similar meanings
Thesis - from the Greek word for ‘a proposition,’ a thesis is a clear statement of the theory or argument
CONVEY MEANING BY QUESTIONING
Rhetorical questions are asked to produce an effect or make a statement, rather than to evoke an answer or information. It is asked when the questioner already knows the answer or an answer is not really required. In many cases it may be intended to start a discourse, or as a means of displaying or to emphasize the speaker's opinion on a topic.
Also known as erotesis, erotema, interrogatio, questioner, and reversed polarity question (RPQ).
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
(Romeo & Juliet)
Mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure?
(Julius Caesar)
If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
(The Merchant of Venice)
OTHER RELATED WORDS
Rhetorical affirmation - a form of rhetorical questioning that affirms certainty or obviousness of the answer by asking another question for which the answer is equally obvious. Popular examples include "Do bears shit in the woods?", "Is the sky blue?" and "Is the Pope Catholic?
Anthypophora - a type of rhetorical question in which the speaker addresses a question himself and immediately gives an answer to the question.
Aporia- a feigned statement of doubt by the speaker and a question to the audience about how he should act.
Erotema - the Greek technical term for a rhetorical question.
Erotesis, a rhetorical question implying strong affirmation or denial. It implies an answer but does not give or lead us to expect one, as when Laertes rants about Ophelia's madness: 'Do you see this, O God?' (Hamlet). Erotesis in Greek depicts an act of “questioning.”
Epiplexis - usually regarded as an interrogative figure of speech in which questions are asked as a way of rebuking rather than to evoke answers. The goal is an attempt to shame or rebuke an opponent or a listener into adopting their own or a particular point of view. Epiplexis is derived from the Greek word which portrays “a rebuke or to strike at”
Hypophora - refers to a writer or speaker proposing a question and following it up with a clear answer. This is different from a rhetorical question—another rhetorical device—because there is an expected answer, one that the writer or speaker will immediately give to you.
Interrogatio - a rhetorical question in which the answer is self-evident.
Also known as erotesis, erotema, interrogatio, questioner, and reversed polarity question (RPQ).
- They may also be used for dramatic or comedic effect, and may be combined with other figures of speech, such as puns or double entendres.
- These questions provoke deep thoughts, sometimes impose sarcastic reasoning, and are often used as a tool during debates to avoid obtaining an immediate declaration.
- By arousing curiosity, rhetorical questions motivate people to try to answer the question that is posed. Consequently, people pay closer attention to information relevant to the rhetorical question.
- During the 1580s English printer Henry Denham invented the ‘rhetorical question mark’ (؟) to be used at the end of a rhetorical question. The usage of this sardonic punctuation mark faded during the 17th century.
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
(Romeo & Juliet)
Mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low?
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure?
(Julius Caesar)
If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
(The Merchant of Venice)
OTHER RELATED WORDS
Rhetorical affirmation - a form of rhetorical questioning that affirms certainty or obviousness of the answer by asking another question for which the answer is equally obvious. Popular examples include "Do bears shit in the woods?", "Is the sky blue?" and "Is the Pope Catholic?
Anthypophora - a type of rhetorical question in which the speaker addresses a question himself and immediately gives an answer to the question.
Aporia- a feigned statement of doubt by the speaker and a question to the audience about how he should act.
Erotema - the Greek technical term for a rhetorical question.
Erotesis, a rhetorical question implying strong affirmation or denial. It implies an answer but does not give or lead us to expect one, as when Laertes rants about Ophelia's madness: 'Do you see this, O God?' (Hamlet). Erotesis in Greek depicts an act of “questioning.”
Epiplexis - usually regarded as an interrogative figure of speech in which questions are asked as a way of rebuking rather than to evoke answers. The goal is an attempt to shame or rebuke an opponent or a listener into adopting their own or a particular point of view. Epiplexis is derived from the Greek word which portrays “a rebuke or to strike at”
Hypophora - refers to a writer or speaker proposing a question and following it up with a clear answer. This is different from a rhetorical question—another rhetorical device—because there is an expected answer, one that the writer or speaker will immediately give to you.
Interrogatio - a rhetorical question in which the answer is self-evident.
- Interrogation is to awaken attention to the subject of discourse, and is a mode of address admirably calculated to produce a powerful impression of the truth of a subject, as it challenges the impossibility of contradiction.
