Rhetorical device of the day: Scesis Onomaton and Apophasis
From the vault of obsolete language tricks, come two useful rhetorical devices I was never taught.
Scesis Onomaton is the emphasis of an idea by stating it several times in succeeding synonymous short phrases. I recommend three.
We had been defeated, vanquished, driven in defeat from the field of battle!
He was pudgy, had a few extra pounds, was swelling towards corpulent, indeed, tended to fat.
She exceeded the company by far in loveliness, a jewel among pebbles, a shining flower in the weeds of the field, a Ferrari in the parking lot of the Yugo dealership.
He found himself puzzled, bewildered, flummoxed; he had no idea what had happened.
Apophasis is emphasizing an idea by seeming to pass over it without mention. I need not bring up the many and underhanded uses of such a device.
Of course, we need not dwell on the Senator's long years of honorable service.
I will not deign to mention certain scandalous rumors involving the Chairman, a gallon of crisco, three prostitutes, and a frog. Scandal is below me.
Since we are such good friends, I will not remind you of the debt you owe.
Of the many accomplishments of Mssr. Smith, let us pass over in silence. They are well known to even the least attentive among us.
Try them out! Amaze your friends!
Scesis Onomaton is the emphasis of an idea by stating it several times in succeeding synonymous short phrases. I recommend three.
We had been defeated, vanquished, driven in defeat from the field of battle!
He was pudgy, had a few extra pounds, was swelling towards corpulent, indeed, tended to fat.
She exceeded the company by far in loveliness, a jewel among pebbles, a shining flower in the weeds of the field, a Ferrari in the parking lot of the Yugo dealership.
He found himself puzzled, bewildered, flummoxed; he had no idea what had happened.
Apophasis is emphasizing an idea by seeming to pass over it without mention. I need not bring up the many and underhanded uses of such a device.
Of course, we need not dwell on the Senator's long years of honorable service.
I will not deign to mention certain scandalous rumors involving the Chairman, a gallon of crisco, three prostitutes, and a frog. Scandal is below me.
Since we are such good friends, I will not remind you of the debt you owe.
Of the many accomplishments of Mssr. Smith, let us pass over in silence. They are well known to even the least attentive among us.
Try them out! Amaze your friends!