Rhetoric

修辞[学]

In classical approaches to language, the study of effective or persuasive speaking and writing, especially as practised in public oratory. Several hundred rhetorical figures were recognized by classical rhetoricians, classifying the way words could be arranged in order to achieve special stylistic effects. Some of these notions have continued in modern stylistic analysis, such as metaphor, simile, personification and paradox. The study of rhetoric has been given a new lease of life in modern courses on communication, where the aim is to understand the processes underlying successful argument and persuasion.

传统语言研究中指研究如何使口头和书面表达更为有效或更有说服力，特别是在公开演讲的场合。传统修辞学家分出好几百种修辞格，分门别类说明为取得特殊风格效果而组配语词的各种方式。其中有些概念仍为现代风格学研究所采用，如隐喻、直喻、拟人、佯谬等。修辞学研究在现代信递研究中又获得新生，研究的目的是要了解使辩论和说服得以成功的底层机理。