Catachresis is a bold, often startling use of language where a word is used in a way that dramatically changes its usual meaning, pushing boundaries to create a striking effect. Essentially, it’s exaggerated metaphor. Shakespeare was a master of this. … More ☛
Uxorious describes a person, typically a husband, who is excessively fond of or affectionately submissive toward their wife. It’s often used in literature to describe characters who are deeply enamored, sometimes to a fault, showcasing a dynamic that can drive … More ☛
Pedantic means being overly concerned with formal rules and trivial points of learning, often emphasizing the minutiae of knowledge rather than its broader application. The term has evolved to carry a negative connotation. It’s used to describe someone who flaunts … More ☛
Foreshadowing can appear in subtle clues or explicit warnings within a dialogue, setting descriptions, or through a character’s thoughts or actions. A character finding a mysterious key early in a story might foreshadow its importance in unlocking a crucial secret … More ☛
Oratory is the art of speaking. And Oratorical relates to the art or practice of public speaking. An oratorical speech is typically formal, persuasive, and designed to impress or inspire the audience. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ … More ☛
Adynaton. Pronounced ad-uh-NAY-ton, is a form of hyperbole that describes something so exaggerated, it’s impossible. It’s like saying, ‘You’ll get this project done when pigs fly,’ which means it’s highly unlikely to happen. Why is this useful in storytelling and … More ☛
Antimetabole—pronounced an-ti-muh-TAB-uh-lee—involves repeating words in successive clauses, but in reversed order. Listen to Winston S. Churchill‘s famous example: ‘This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the … More ☛
Catechresis is a bold, often startling use of language where a word is used in a way that dramatically changes its usual meaning, pushing boundaries to create a striking effect. Essentially, it’s exaggerated metaphor. Shakespeare was a master of this. … More ☛
Chiasmus, pronounced ky-AZ-mus. Chiasmus is a rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures, not necessarily repeating the words. An example is the famous quote by John F. Kennedy: … More ☛
Circumlocution involves using unnecessarily wordy and indirect language to describe something that could be expressed more succinctly. It’s often used to evade a question, to be vague intentionally, or to elaborate on a topic. Instead of saying ‘He’s poor,’ you … More ☛
Anecdote. Technically, an anecdote is a short narrative about a real incident or person, usually intended to illustrate or support a point in a speech or written text. I like to think of an anecdote as something that’s different from … More ☛
Exordium—the introductory part of a speech, where you set the stage and prepare your audience for what’s to come. The exordium is your first impression, and it’s vital for capturing attention and establishing a connection. An effective exordium might begin … More ☛
To extemporize is to speak or perform without preparation. Essentially, it’s improvising. This skill is invaluable for speakers who need to adapt swiftly to the unexpected, whether answering questions or responding to a change in topic. A CEO at a … More ☛
Epizeuxis is the emphatic repetition of a word, with no other words in between. It’s used to highlight a strong emotional state or to emphasize a point dramatically. An iconic example is from Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’: ‘Never, never, never, never, … More ☛
Euphony refers to the quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through a harmonious combination of words. It’s a literary device used to create beautiful, melodious sounds within a phrase or sentence, enhancing the auditory appeal of poetry and … More ☛
A diatribe is a forceful and bitter verbal attack. It’s often a prolonged discourse full of passion and anger, making it a powerful rhetorical device when used strategically. In public speaking, a diatribe can stir emotions or galvanize an audience … More ☛
Epistrophe is used to emphasize a point and create a memorable rhythm in speech. A classic example comes from Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address: ‘…of the people, by the people, for the people.’ This repetition reinforces the message of … More ☛
A demagogue is a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than through rational argument. Demagogues are skilled at rhetoric, using emotional pleas and simple messages to sway public opinion. A demagogue might claim, … More ☛
Epithet—a descriptive phrase that expresses a characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. It’s used to add to a person’s or place’s regular name and attribute a specific quality to them. Think about ‘Alexander the Great’ or ‘Eric the Red.’ … More ☛
A harangue is a lengthy and aggressive speech, typically used to express a strong opinion and persuade or rally an audience around a particular point of view. A coach might deliver a harangue to a team at halftime about their … More ☛
Climax. Yeah, we all know what that is … but in the context of storytelling and public speaking, a climax is the moment of greatest tension or conflict, where the stakes are highest and the outcome is decided. It’s the … More ☛
Colloquialisms are informal words or phrases that people use in everyday speech but which might not be suitable for formal writing. They’re the casual clothes of language—comfortable and familiar. Colloquialisms add authenticity to dialogue or help establish a relatable tone … More ☛
Diction refers to the choice of words and style of expression that a writer or speaker uses. The diction in your speeches or literary works affects the tone and how your message is received by your audience. For instance, formal, … More ☛
Ethos—a rhetorical device that refers to the credibility or ethical appeal of the speaker. Ethos is crucial to persuading an audience, as it helps establish trust and authority. Ethos is credibility. A doctor discussing health matters typically has strong ethos … More ☛
Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. It’s a powerful tool used to emphasize a point or stir emotion. In his iconic speech, Martin Luther King Jr. repeats ‘I have a dream’ … More ☛
Alliteration. Alliteration artfully arranges adjacent and alike initial sounds in closely clustered words. It’s a superb stylistic strategy that stitches sound, symmetry, and sonority into sentences. It significantly spices up speeches and prose, and makes your messages more memorable and … More ☛
Dysphemism is the use of a harsh or more offensive word instead of a more polite or agreeable one. It’s the opposite of a euphemism and is often used to shock or emphasize negativity. In storytelling or speech, dysphemisms can … More ☛
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. For instance, saying ‘passed away’ instead of ‘died’ softens the impact. We only … More ☛
Cacophony refers to a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds, used to describe a situation where a lot of noise makes it hard to focus. In public speaking and writing, creating a cacophony can be a deliberate technique to convey chaos … More ☛
Hyperbaton—a literary device that involves altering the normal order of words in a sentence for emphasis, to create a dramatic effect, or to make the sentence sound more poetic. “Yoda speak” is classic hyperbaton. In ‘The Tell-Tale Heart,’ Edgar Allan … More ☛
Hyperbole—an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally but used to grab attention, emphasize a point, or convey strong emotions. ‘That speaker went on forever!’ ‘I thought I was going to die of old age before she … More ☛
Allegory is a narrative technique in which characters and events represent broader themes and ideas. Through allegory, storytellers explore complex issues and moral questions in an accessible and engaging way. One classic example is George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm,’ where farm … More ☛
The monomyth, or the hero’s journey, is a common narrative archetype that involves a hero who goes on an adventure, faces a decisive crisis, and comes back changed or transformed. This concept was popularized by Joseph Campbell in his book, … More ☛
Metaphor—a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true, but helps explain it or make a comparison. Saying ‘Time is a thief’ suggests that time, like a thief, can take away life’s … More ☛
Metonymy—a figure of speech in which one object or idea takes the place of another with which it has a close association. A classic example is using ‘the White House’ to refer to the U.S. executive branch of government. ‘The … More ☛
A monologue is a long speech given by one person.. In a theatrical context, a monologue allows a character to reveal their innermost thoughts, such as in Hamlet’s ‘To be or not to be…’ soliloquy. In public speaking, a monologue … More ☛
Litotes—a form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite. It’s often used to convey modesty or soften a statement. Litotes is usually a form of sarcasm: ‘He’s not a bad singer’ implies he is quite … More ☛
Along with ethos and pathos, logos is one of the three classical persuasive techniques. Logos appeals to logic and reason. In public speaking or argumentation, employing logos means providing clear, logical evidence to support your points. This could be through … More ☛
Malapropism—the misuse of a word by confusing it with a similar-sounding word, resulting in nonsensical, often bituminous statements. A classic example is the character Mrs. Malaprop in the play ‘The Rivals,’ who says ‘He is the very pineapple of politeness,’ … More ☛
Juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters, or actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of creating comparisons and contrasts. A writer might place a character … More ☛
Orotund refers to a style of speech that is rounded, full, and imposing. It describes a voice or tone that is clear and resonant, ideal for public speaking and theatrical performances. A rotund person is round and plump; an orotund … More ☛
Oxymoron—a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. It’s used to create a dramatic effect or to highlight complex truths through contradiction. Examples include ‘deafening silence’ and ‘bittersweet.’ “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written … More ☛
Impromptu, which refers to anything done without being planned or rehearsed. In the context of public speaking, it means giving a speech or performing without prior preparation. Impromptu speaking might include answering unexpected questions during a Q&A session, giving a … More ☛
Pacing is the speed at which a story unfolds or information is delivered. It plays a crucial role in maintaining audience engagement and building suspense and intensity in narratives and speeches. Many speakers think of the word “dynamics” as referring … More ☛
Irony—a figure of speech where the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning. Here’s a soundbite from the movie Con-Air: Irony adds humor or to critically highlight discrepancies between expectations and reality. How about a tiny Chihuahua named … More ☛
A motif is a recurring theme, subject, or idea that appears throughout a literary work, which helps to develop the narrative’s major themes. In speech and writing, motifs reinforce and enrich the message or central theme. The repeated mention of … More ☛
Narrative Hook—an opening to a story that grabs the audience’s attention so that they want to keep reading or listening. An article published by TIME magazine in 2015 quoted Microsoft research that concluded that humans have an attention span of … More ☛
A non sequitur is a statement that does not logically follow from the previous statement, often resulting in an absurd or disconnected conclusion. Did you know that an octopus can completely regenerate an arm that’s been bitten off by a … More ☛
Oratory is the art of speaking. And Oratorical relates to the art or practice of public speaking. An oratorical speech is typically formal, persuasive, and designed to impress or inspire the audience. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ … More ☛
Homiletics—the art of preaching or writing sermons. It involves the construction of a message and the effective delivery of that message to a congregation or audience. A key element in homiletics is the ability to connect with listeners on a … More ☛
A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point rather than to solicit an answer. It’s a common device in public speaking and writing that engages the audience’s thoughts or emphasizes a point. “Isn’t it time we all … More ☛
An Aphorism is a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ These short, memorable lines pack a punch, encapsulating wisdom in a nutshell. Aphorisms are fantastic tools in public speaking and storytelling because … More ☛
Aposiopesis is a rhetorical device where the speaker deliberately breaks off and leaves the sentence unfinished, letting the audience complete the thought in their own minds. This can be used to convey overwhelming emotion or to imply something without stating … More ☛
Asyndeton involves omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. This can create a fast-paced and concise effect, adding urgency or intensity to the language. A classic example is Julius Caesar’s declaration: ‘I came, I saw, I conquered.’ He could have … More ☛
Rhetoric is the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, particularly the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques. Rhetoric involves three main strategies known as ethos, pathos, and logos. Ethos appeals to ethics, pathos to emotions, … More ☛
Pay attention! This video will reveal new insights into Barnabus T. Hollings famous HBX Success Method—a sure path to instantaneous fame and wealth! A red herring is a plot element that misleads or distracts from the relevant or important issue. … More ☛
Periphrasis is a rhetorical device that involves using excessive and longer phrases to express an idea that could be conveyed with fewer words or in more direct terms. It’s often used to be polite, to add emphasis, or to create … More ☛
Peroration refers to the concluding part of a speech, designed to inspire enthusiasm and drive home the speaker‘s key points with maximum impact. A famous example is Martin Luther King Jr.’s ending in ‘I Have a Dream,’ where he powerfully … More ☛
Panegyric, a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something, often used to commend achievements or honor great deeds. Historically, panegyrics were formal orations given at ceremonial occasions, like the accolades for a returning hero or the … More ☛
In literature and public speaking, persona refers to the social face or character that a speaker or writer presents to their audience. It’s not necessarily who they are in private, but rather the role they play publicly, often to convey … More ☛
Parody is a form of satire that imitates the style of a particular genre, work, or artist in a way that makes fun of those styles or works, often exaggerating distinctive features to comic effect. Here’s a classic version of … More ☛
Pleonasm, which means using more words than necessary to convey meaning, often redundantly. ‘I saw it with my own eyes’ is a pleonasm. Of course you did! We didn’t think you saw it with your ears! How about “True facts?” … More ☛
Polysyndeton, a stylistic device that involves the use of multiple conjunctions in close succession, often where they are not grammatically necessary. ‘We have ships and men and money and supplies,’ The repeated use of ‘and’ adds a cumulative effect to … More ☛
Though it might sound like a stomach problem, prolepsis is a rhetorical device that involves anticipating and answering potential objections before they are raised. This preemptive argument helps to strengthen a speaker‘s position by showing foresight and preparedness. In a … More ☛
Quintilian sounds like a huge number, but Quintilian was an ancient Roman educator, known for his influential work on rhetoric and education, ‘Institutio Oratoria.’ His teachings emphasized not only the technical skills of speaking but also the moral integrity of … More ☛
Paronomasia, or punning, involves using words that sound similar but have different meanings, often to humorous effect. ‘Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.’ This pun plays with the word ‘flies’ to entertain and engage the listener. … More ☛
Pathos, a rhetorical tool used to appeal to the audience’s emotions, often to persuade or move them to action. That was Winston S. Churchill in 1945, calling for continued strength and support after the defeat of Germany. A charity representative … More ☛
Paralipsis, a rhetorical device that involves bringing up a subject by either denying it or pretending to pass over it. This is a clever way to draw attention to something while maintaining a veneer of detachment. A political speaker might … More ☛
Paradox, a statement or proposition that, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory. ‘Youth is wasted on the young!’ ‘Less is more!’ ‘You have to spend money to make money!’ Paradoxes … More ☛
Pathetic Fallacy is a literary device where human emotions are attributed to aspects of nature or inanimate objects, often to reflect the mood of the characters or the narrative. Captain Ahab swore vengeance as angry clouds gathered overhead. Mournful raindrops … More ☛
Prosody encompasses elements like stress, intonation, and timing, crucial for conveying emotions and meanings effectively in spoken language. Think of it as a mixture of “prose” and “melody”—a combination of well-chosen words with eloquent, almost musical delivery. For example, the … More ☛
Syncrisis is a rhetorical device that involves reframing an argument by redefining it. Unlike a “straw man” argument, which misrepresents an opponent’s position, syncrisis allows for direct comparison and reevaluation. It’s a comparison of opposites. “It’s not about spending more; … More ☛
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. It is often used for poetic effect to give a more profound, concise, or expansive quality to ordinary speech or writing. … More ☛
Tautology is the repetitive use of phrases or words that have similar meanings, essentially saying the same thing twice. My favorite is “Act now and get a free gift!” “Really! I usually pay for gifts.” How about ‘advance planning?’ That’s … More ☛
Elocution. And no, elocution is not what happens when you touch a high-voltage cable. Elocution is the art of clear and expressive speaking, particularly focusing on distinct pronunciation and articulation. Elocution is critical for anyone who wants to be an … More ☛
Zeitgeist is a German word meaning ‘spirit of the age’ or ‘spirit of the times.’ It refers to the dominant set of ideas, beliefs, and trends that characterize the culture of a particular period in time. An example of zeitgeist … More ☛
Verisimilitude is the appearance of being true or real in a literary work. It helps in making a story or speech more believable and relatable to the audience by incorporating elements that reflect reality. John walked onto the stage. The … More ☛
Tone in writing and speaking refers to the attitude or approach that the author or speaker takes toward the subject and the audience. Tone can be formal, informal, serious, comic, sarcastic, sad, or cheerful, and it plays a crucial role … More ☛
Tricolon is a rhetorical device that involves the use of three parallel clauses, phrases, or words, which happen to increase in power and intensity. A famous example is Julius Caesar’s ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici,’ which translates to ‘I came, I saw, … More ☛
An understatement is a figure of speech where a situation or feeling is made to seem less important or less serious than it actually is. Monty Python’s “Black Knight” scene from The Holy Grail is classic understatement! Describing a hurricane … More ☛
Vernacular refers to the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular region or country. In literature and speeches, using the vernacular can significantly aid in connecting with a local audience by reflecting their everyday language and … More ☛
Zeugma is a figure of speech where a word, usually a verb or an adjective, is applied to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas. ‘She broke my car and she broke my heart!’ ‘Broke’ is … More ☛
Syllepsis is not what happens after you’ve eaten too much spicy chili. Syllepsis is a figure of speech in which a word, typically a verb or an adjective, is applied to two or more nouns without being repeated, but with … More ☛
Polyptoton, a stylistic device where a word is repeated in a sentence but in a different form, enhancing emphasis through repetition and variation. “The things you own end up owning you.” (Brad Pitt in the movie Fight Club, 1999) Common … More ☛
Syllogism is a form of logical reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions. A classic example: Major premise: ‘All men are mortal.’ Minor premise: ‘Socrates is a man.’ Conclusion: ‘Therefore, Socrates is mortal.’ Syllogisms are … More ☛
A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character in a play or other literary work, who is alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts and feelings to the audience. Hmm … isn’t that pretty much a speaker‘s job description? … More ☛
A solecism is a grammatical mistake or nonstandard usage in speech or writing, such as a misplaced modifier or incorrect verb tense. Simply put, it’s a mistake. Some are easy to detect. ‘Me and him went to the store.’ Others … More ☛
Scansion is the process of analyzing a poem’s meter by marking the stresses in each line and determining the metrical pattern. This technique is essential for understanding the rhythmic structure of verse and enhancing poetic expression. For example, in analyzing … More ☛
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using ‘like’ or ‘as’ to highlight similarities explicitly. Think of the word “simile” as being related to “similar.” This is similar to that. ‘Busy as a bee’ uses … More ☛
If you’ve never heard the word “similitis” before, that’s okay. I made it up. But before you revoke my literary license, consider how many people like use the word “like” in like almost everything they say! A simile means to … More ☛
(watch the full interview satire here) This millennial job interview video by Daniel Brea of Brea Films exemplifies this week’s word—satire. Satire uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context … More ☛
To bloviate means to speak at length in a pompous or boastful manner. Otherwise known as the “soaring ramble,” the word bloviate is often used to describe politicians or public figures who talk a lot but say little of substance. … More ☛
Words and Terms related to speaking and speechwriting: Adynaton [ad-uh-NAY-ton]: A form of hyperbole in which the exaggeration is so extreme as to be impossible “You will sooner find a donkey flying than see me agree to that deal.” Allegory … More ☛
