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epiplexis

epiplexis

9.9
To ask or scold an audience to convince them to act
  • noun
  • /ˌɛpɪˈplɛksɪs/
  • Literature
translation icon : epíplexis
  • Her speech was filled with epiplexis, as she berated listeners for their apathy.

Examples

  • The politician employed epiplexis to shame the audience into supporting the new policy.

  • The speaker used epiplexis to challenge the audience's assumptions.

  • Teachers sometimes use epiplexis to encourage students to reflect on their actions.

  • How can you not see the value of epiplexis in persuasive speech?

  • The politician employed epiplexis to shame the audience into supporting the new policy.

  • Teachers sometimes use epiplexis to encourage students to reflect on their actions.

  • Her speech was filled with epiplexis, as she berated listeners for their apathy.

Synonyms

rhetorical device
vsepiplexis
1 6.6

A way of using language to persuade or add emphasis

is a specific technique that reproaches or questions the audience to incite

Surface Forms

epiplexis singular
epiplexes plural

Etymology

The word epiplexis comes from Greek parts epi- 'upon' (seen in epicenter) and plexis 'strike', giving the image of 'striking upon' someone with words. So, epiplexis is a sharp, scolding question a speaker asks to shame or push an audience into action.