A direct or indirect reference to something that is assumed to be commonly known.

A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might be inappropriate or unpleasant.

"The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace."
--Obama's first inaugural address

A comparison which uses "like" or "as."

A form of deductive argument which presents two premises, major and minor, followed by a conclusion.

The grouping of seemingly contradictory terms. "Same difference," "clearly confused," "random order"

The word, phrase, or clause that a pronoun refers to.

"While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war."
--Lincoln's second inaugural address

Deliberate exaggeration or overstatement.

An argument that uses poor reasoning, such that the conclusion is not proven by the premises.

When the speaker or author answers his own otherwise-rhetorical question.

The feelings or emotions associated with a word, beyond its literal meaning.

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."
--JFK's inaugural address

A work that functions on a symbolic level; a type of extended symbolism.

A brief story used to make a point in an argument or to illustrate a moral truth, most commonly used in a homily.

A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole, the whole for a part, the specific for the general, or the general for the specific.

Slang in writing, used often to create local color and to provide an informal tone.

"A new world of law--where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved."
--JFK's inaugural address

A type of metaphor which draws a comparison between two situations in order to show a similarity in some respect.

Figure of argument in which a wise, witty, or pithy maxim or aphorism is used to sum up the preceding material.

A phrase which makes an affirmation by denying its opposite; "It was no mean feat."

A word which mimics the sound it describes.

"I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."
--Obama's first inaugural address

A type of metaphor in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it.

Predicting of the most likely, common, or troubling objections to one's argument, then offering strong answers to those objections.