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Speakipedia Podcast #33: Lucille Ossai

Speakipedia Posted on January 3, 2025 by juanJanuary 8, 2025
Speakipedia Podcast #33: Lucille Ossai

Transcript:  Dave Bricker (00:02) Want to expand your speaking and storytelling skills and grow your influence? This is Speakipedia Media brought to you by speakipedia.com. I’m your host, Dave Bricker, bringing you straight talk, smart strategies, and amazing stories from … More ☛

Speakipedia Podcast #28: Rich Hopkins

Speakipedia Posted on October 25, 2024 by juanNovember 20, 2024
Speakipedia Podcast #28: Rich Hopkins

Transcript:  Dave Bricker (00:02) Want to expand your speaking and storytelling skills and grow your influence? This is Speakipedia Media brought to you by speakipedia.com. I’m your host, Dave Bricker, bringing you straight talk, smart strategies, and amazing stories from … More ☛

Speakipedia Podcast # 15:
Simone Vincenzi

Speakipedia Posted on July 29, 2024 by juanAugust 21, 2024
Speakipedia Podcast # 15:Simone Vincenzi

  Transcript Dave Bricker: Want to expand your speaking and storytelling skills and grow your influence business? This is Speakipedia Media brought to you by Speakipedia.com. I’m your host, Dave Bricker, bringing you straight talk and smart strategies from visionary … More ☛

Uxorious

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Uxorious

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Pedantic

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Foreshadowing

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 ☛

Oratorical

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by juanJuly 28, 2024
Oratorical

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 ☛

Nonfiction Writing and the One-sided Sales Conversation

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 14, 2024
Nonfiction Writing and the One-sided Sales Conversation

Business, technology, and how-to books can be viewed as one-sided sales conversations. Though the author may hope to sell products or services, what’s usually being sold directly to the reader is an idea—a strategy or philosophy that can be used … More ☛

How to Produce Audiobooks with Amazon ACX

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 14, 2024
How to Produce Audiobooks with Amazon ACX

This article explains how to produce and market a professional quality audiobook using Amazon ACX. Through ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), I was able to audition voiceover talent, choose a professional producer, review the work in progress, and make my audiobook … More ☛

Tabs, Indents, and Margins: How to use the Tab Ruler

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 13, 2024
Tabs, Indents, and Margins: How to use the Tab Ruler

This article explains the tab ruler found on every word processor and typesetting application. Understanding the simple and elegant split ruler and tab functions opens up a world of formatting opportunities. Digital typesetting and word processing inherited a number of … More ☛

The Grammar of Book Design

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 13, 2024
The Grammar of Book Design

Are images analogous to words? Is what makes a sentence sound “right” the same thing that makes an image “pop” or a jazz solo “burn?” The similarities are noteworthy but the differences are important. Just as the best of writers … More ☛

Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 2

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 14, 2024
Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 2

Part 1 of Book Cover Design: Judging a Book by its Cover critiqued “professional” covers taken from Amazon’s Editor’s choice list. Read that article first as it provides background for this one. The article looked at design elements that worked … More ☛

Book Design Basics – Dashes, Hyphens and Dots

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 16, 2024
Book Design Basics – Dashes, Hyphens and Dots

This section on dashes, hyphens and dots goes beyond typographic aesthetics to explore how we can communicate more effectively as writers. The subtle intricacies of hyphens and dashes affect all authors whether they typeset their own books or not. Knowing … More ☛

Tips For Book Cover Design

Speakipedia Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave BrickerJune 13, 2024
Tips For Book Cover Design

Most book designers make the same errors. One sore spot for me and with many of my university design students, is typography.

More ☛

Adynaton

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Adynaton

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Antimetabole

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Catechresis

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Chiasmus

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Circumlocution

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Anecdote

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 ☛

Euphony

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Euphony

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 ☛

Exordium

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Exordium

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 ☛

Extemporize

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Extemporize

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Epizeuxis

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 ☛

Diatribe

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Diatribe

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Epistrophe

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 ☛

Demagogue

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Demagogue

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Epithet

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 ☛

Harangue

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Harangue

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Climax

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 ☛

Colloquialism

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Colloquialism

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Diction

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Ethos

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 ☛

Cacophony

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Cacophony

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 ☛

Anaphora

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Anaphora

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Alliteration

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Dysphemism

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 ☛

Euphemism

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Euphemism

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 ☛

Monomyth

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Monomyth

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 ☛

Hyperbaton

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Hyperbaton

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Hyperbole

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Allegory

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 ☛

Metaphor

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Metaphor

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Metonymy

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 ☛

Monologue

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Monologue

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Litotes

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 ☛

Logos

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Logos

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Malapropism

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Juxtaposition

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Orotund

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Oxymoron

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Impromptu

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Pacing

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Irony

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 ☛

Motif

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Motif

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Narrative Hook

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 ☛

Non Sequitur

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Non Sequitur

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Oratory

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Homiletics

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 ☛

Aphorism

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Aphorism

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Aposiopesis

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 ☛

Rhetorical Question

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Rhetorical Question

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 ☛

Asyndeton

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 14, 2024
Asyndeton

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 ☛

Repartee

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Repartee More ☛

Rhetoric

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Rhetoric

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 ☛

Periphrasis

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Periphrasis

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 ☛

Red Herring

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Red Herring

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 ☛

Peroration

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Peroration

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Panegyric

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 ☛

Persona

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Persona

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Parody

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Pleonasm

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Polysyndeton

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 ☛

Prolepsis

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Prolepsis

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 ☛

Pathos

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Pathos

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 ☛

Quintilian

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Quintilian

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Paronomasia

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 ☛

Paralipsis

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Paralipsis

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Paradox

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Pathetic Fallacy

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Prosody

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Syncrisis

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Synecdoche

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Tautology

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerAugust 13, 2024
Elocution

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Zeitgeist

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Verisimilitude

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Tone

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Tricolon

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 ☛

Understatement

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Understatement

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Vernacular

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Zeugma

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Syllepsis

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Polyptoton

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

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Syllogism

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 ☛

Solecism

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Solecism

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 ☛

Soliloquy

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Soliloquy

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 ☛

Simile

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Simile

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 ☛

Similitis

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Similitis

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 ☛

Scansion

Speakipedia Posted on June 12, 2024 by Dave BrickerJuly 28, 2024
Scansion

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 ☛

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