Owing to its origin in ancient Greece and Rome, English rhetorical theory frequently employs Greek and Latin words as terms of art. This page explains commonly used rhetorical terms in alphabetical order. The brief definitions here are intended to serve as a quick reference rather than an in-depth discussion. For more information, click the terms. A Absurdity. The exaggeration of a point beyond belief. Accumulatio. The emphasis or summary of previously made points or inferences by excessive praise or accusation. Acutezza. Wit or wordplay used in rhetoric. Ad hominem. Rebutting an argument by attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making it rather than the substance of the argument itself. Adianoeta. A phrase carrying two meanings: an obvious meaning and a second, more subtle and ingenious one. Adjunction. When a verb is placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence instead of in the middle. For example (from Rhetorica ad Herennium), "At the beginning, as follows: 'Fades physical beauty with disease or age.' At the end, as follows: 'Either with disease or age physical beauty fades.'" Aesthetics. The examination of symbolic expression to determine its rhetorical possibilities. Aetiologia. Giving a cause or a reason. Affectus. A term used by the Italian Humanists of the Renaissance to describe the source of emotions or passions in the human mind. Agenda. That which a persuader successfully makes salient and then spins. [see: Vatz, Richard E.] Alliteration. The use of a series of two or more words beginning with the same letter. Alloisis. The breaking down of a subject into its alternatives. Ambigua. An ambiguous statement used in making puns. Amphiboly or Amphibology. A sentence that may be interpreted in more than one way due to ambiguous structure. Amplificatio. An all-purpose term for all the ways an argument can be expanded and enhanced. Amplification. The act and the means of extending thoughts or statements to increase rhetorical effect, to add importance, or to make the most of a thought or circumstance. Anacoenosis. A speaker asks his or her audience or opponents for their opinion or answer to the point in question. Anacoluthon. An abrupt change of syntax within a sentence. (What I want is — like anybody cares.) Anadiplosis. Repeating the last word of one clause or phrase to begin the next. Analogy. The use of a similar or parallel case or example to reason or argue a point.