Dangling Modifier - Dysphemism
A glossary of grammatical and rhetorical terms, from DANGLING MODIFIER to DYSPHEMISM. Click on a term for definitions, examples, word history, pronunciation guide, and links to related articles.
dangling modifier
A word or phrase (commonly a participle or a participial phrase) that modifies a word that does not appear in the sentence.
A word or phrase (commonly a participle or a participial phrase) that modifies a word that does not appear in the sentence.
dash
A mark of punctuation (--), technically known as an "em dash," used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence.
A mark of punctuation (--), technically known as an "em dash," used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence.
data
In the Toulmin model of argument, the evidence or specific information that supports a claim.
In the Toulmin model of argument, the evidence or specific information that supports a claim.
dead metaphor
A figure of speech that has lost its force and imaginative effectiveness through constant use.
A figure of speech that has lost its force and imaginative effectiveness through constant use.
declarative sentence
A sentence that makes a statement.
A sentence that makes a statement.
decorum
In classical rhetoric, the use of a style that is appropriate to a subject, situation, speaker, or audience.
In classical rhetoric, the use of a style that is appropriate to a subject, situation, speaker, or audience.
deduction
A method of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises.
A method of reasoning in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises.
definite article
The definite article "the" refers to particular nouns.
The definite article "the" refers to particular nouns.
definition
A statement of the meaning of a word or phrase. As a method of exposition, a definition may be brief or extended, part of an essay or an entire essay itself.
A statement of the meaning of a word or phrase. As a method of exposition, a definition may be brief or extended, part of an essay or an entire essay itself.
degree
One of the forms used in the comparison of adjectives and adverbs.
One of the forms used in the comparison of adjectives and adverbs.
degree modifier
A word that can precede adjectives and adverbs to indicate the degree to which they apply.
A word that can precede adjectives and adverbs to indicate the degree to which they apply.
dehortatio
Dissuasive advice given with authority.
Dissuasive advice given with authority.
deictic word
A word that points to the time, place, or situation in which the speaker is speaking.
A word that points to the time, place, or situation in which the speaker is speaking.
deliberative
Speech or writing that attempts to persuade an audience to take (or not to take) some action.
Speech or writing that attempts to persuade an audience to take (or not to take) some action.
delivery
One of the five traditional parts or canons of rhetoric, concerned with control of voice and gestures.
One of the five traditional parts or canons of rhetoric, concerned with control of voice and gestures.
demonym
A name for the people who live in a particular place.
A name for the people who live in a particular place.
demonstrative
An adjective or pronoun that points to a particular noun or to the noun it replaces.
An adjective or pronoun that points to a particular noun or to the noun it replaces.
demonstrative adjective
See "demonstrative"
See "demonstrative"
demonstrative pronoun
See "demonstrative"
See "demonstrative"
demonstrative rhetoric
See epideictic: persuasion that deals with values that bring a group together; the rhetoric of ceremony, commemoration, declamation, demonstration, play, and display.
See epideictic: persuasion that deals with values that bring a group together; the rhetoric of ceremony, commemoration, declamation, demonstration, play, and display.
denotation
The direct or dictionary meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.
The direct or dictionary meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.
dependent clause
A group of words that begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinating conjunction.
A group of words that begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinating conjunction.
derivation
The process of creating a new word out of one or more old words, either by adding a prefix or suffix or by compounding.
The process of creating a new word out of one or more old words, either by adding a prefix or suffix or by compounding.
description
A rhetorical strategy using details perceivable by the senses to portray a person, place, or object.
A rhetorical strategy using details perceivable by the senses to portray a person, place, or object.
descriptive grammar
An objective, nonjudgmental description of the major grammatical constructions in a language.
An objective, nonjudgmental description of the major grammatical constructions in a language.
determiner
A word or a group of words that introduces a noun.
A word or a group of words that introduces a noun.
diacope
Repetition broken up by one or more intervening words.
Repetition broken up by one or more intervening words.
diacritic mark
In phonetics, a symbol added to a letter that alters its sense, function, or pronunciation.
In phonetics, a symbol added to a letter that alters its sense, function, or pronunciation.
dialect
A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.
A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.
dialectic
The practice of arriving at a conclusion by the exchange of logical arguments, usually in the form of questions and answers.
The practice of arriving at a conclusion by the exchange of logical arguments, usually in the form of questions and answers.
dialogue
A conversation between two or more people in a drama or narrative.
A conversation between two or more people in a drama or narrative.
dialogue guide
Phrase used to identify the speaker of directly quoted words.
Phrase used to identify the speaker of directly quoted words.
diatyposis
Recommending useful precepts or advice to someone else.
Recommending useful precepts or advice to someone else.
diction
(1) Choice and use of words in speech or writing. (2) A way of speaking, usually assessed in terms of prevailing standards of pronunciation and elocution.
(1) Choice and use of words in speech or writing. (2) A way of speaking, usually assessed in terms of prevailing standards of pronunciation and elocution.
dictionary
A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words, with information (including meaning, pronunciation, and etymology) given for each word.
A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words, with information (including meaning, pronunciation, and etymology) given for each word.
didactic
Intended or inclined to teach or instruct, often excessively.
Intended or inclined to teach or instruct, often excessively.
digression
The act of departing from the main subject in speech or writing to discuss an apparently unrelated topic.
The act of departing from the main subject in speech or writing to discuss an apparently unrelated topic.
diminutive
A word form or suffix that indicates smallness.
A word form or suffix that indicates smallness.
direct address
A construction in which a speaker or writer directly addresses another individual; also, the name of the individual who is addressed.
A construction in which a speaker or writer directly addresses another individual; also, the name of the individual who is addressed.
direct object
A noun or pronoun in a sentence that receives the action of a transitive verb.
A noun or pronoun in a sentence that receives the action of a transitive verb.
direct question
A sentence that asks a question and ends with a question mark.
A sentence that asks a question and ends with a question mark.
direct quotation
A report of the exact words of an author or speaker.
A report of the exact words of an author or speaker.
discourse
(1) In linguistics, a unit of language longer than a single sentence. (2) More broadly, the use of spoken or written language in a social context.
(1) In linguistics, a unit of language longer than a single sentence. (2) More broadly, the use of spoken or written language in a social context.
discourse analysis
The study of the ways in which language is used in texts and contexts.
The study of the ways in which language is used in texts and contexts.
discovery strategies
Techniques for generating and developing ideas.
Techniques for generating and developing ideas.
disjunct
(1) A type of sentence adverb that comments on the content or manner of what is being said or written. (2) Any of two or more items connected by a disjunctive conjunction ("or").
(1) A type of sentence adverb that comments on the content or manner of what is being said or written. (2) Any of two or more items connected by a disjunctive conjunction ("or").
disjunction
A coordinate construction that uses a disjunctive conjunction (usually "or" or "either . . . or") to indicate a contrast.
A coordinate construction that uses a disjunctive conjunction (usually "or" or "either . . . or") to indicate a contrast.
distinctio
Explicit references to various meanings of a word--usually for the purpose of removing ambiguities.
Explicit references to various meanings of a word--usually for the purpose of removing ambiguities.
division
In classical rhetoric, the part of a speech in which an orator outlines the key points and overall structure of a speech.
In classical rhetoric, the part of a speech in which an orator outlines the key points and overall structure of a speech.
double comparative
The use of both "more" and the suffix "-er" to indicate the comparative form of an adjective or adverb.
The use of both "more" and the suffix "-er" to indicate the comparative form of an adjective or adverb.
double entendre
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.
double genitive
A phrase in which possession is indicated by the preposition "of" followed by the possessive form of a noun or pronoun.
A phrase in which possession is indicated by the preposition "of" followed by the possessive form of a noun or pronoun.
double negative
(1) A nonstandard form using two negatives where only one is necessary. (2) A standard form using two negatives to express a positive.
(1) A nonstandard form using two negatives where only one is necessary. (2) A standard form using two negatives to express a positive.
doublespeak
Language intended to disguise, distort, or obscure its actual meaning.
Language intended to disguise, distort, or obscure its actual meaning.
double superlative
The use of both "most" and the suffix "-est" to indicate the superlative form of an adjective or adverb.
The use of both "most" and the suffix "-est" to indicate the superlative form of an adjective or adverb.
doublet
One of two (or more) distinct words derived from the same source but by different routes of transmission.
One of two (or more) distinct words derived from the same source but by different routes of transmission.
downtoner
A degree adverb that decreases the effect of a modified item.
A degree adverb that decreases the effect of a modified item.
drafting
A stage of the writing process during which a writer organizes information and ideas into sentences and paragraphs.
A stage of the writing process during which a writer organizes information and ideas into sentences and paragraphs.
dramatic irony
An occasion in a play, film, or other creative work in which the words or actions of a character convey a meaning unperceived by the character but understood by the audience.
An occasion in a play, film, or other creative work in which the words or actions of a character convey a meaning unperceived by the character but understood by the audience.
dramatism
A metaphor introduced by the 20th-century rhetorician Kenneth Burke to describe his critical method, which includes study of the various relations (ratios) among the five qualities that comprise the pentad.
A metaphor introduced by the 20th-century rhetorician Kenneth Burke to describe his critical method, which includes study of the various relations (ratios) among the five qualities that comprise the pentad.
dubitatio
See aporia.
See aporia.
dummy word
A word that has a grammatical function but no specific meaning.
A word that has a grammatical function but no specific meaning.
dynamic verb
A verb used primarily to indicate an action, process, or sensation as opposed to a state.
A verb used primarily to indicate an action, process, or sensation as opposed to a state.
dysfluency
Speech that is not smoothly delivered or grammatically well formed.
Speech that is not smoothly delivered or grammatically well formed.
dysphemism
Substitution of a more offensive or disparaging word or phrase for one considered less offensive.
Substitution of a more offensive or disparaging word or phrase for one considered less offensive.