procatalepsis Definition
- 1a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer raises an objection to their own argument and then immediately answers it
- 2the anticipation and answering of possible objections in rhetorical speech
Using procatalepsis: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "procatalepsis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Some politicians use procatalepsis to address potential counterarguments before their opponents can raise them.
Example
In his speech, the candidate used procatalepsis to show that he had considered all possible objections to his proposal.
Example
The author's use of procatalepsis helped to strengthen her argument by addressing potential criticisms.
procatalepsis Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for procatalepsis
- anticipation
- prebuttal
- pre-refutation
Phrases with procatalepsis
Example
Before anyone else could criticize his plan, he raised a procataleptic objection and answered it himself.
procataleptic refutation
the act of anticipating and refuting a possible objection in advance
Example
The speaker's use of procataleptic refutation helped to strengthen his argument by addressing potential criticisms.
procataleptic response
an immediate answer to a possible objection to one's argument
Example
The candidate's procataleptic response showed that he had thought carefully about potential criticisms of his proposal.
Origins of procatalepsis
from Greek 'prokatálēpsis', meaning 'preconception'
Summary: procatalepsis in Brief
Procatalepsis [proh-kuh-tuh-lep-sis] is a rhetorical device in which the speaker or writer raises and answers their own objections. It is used to anticipate and address potential criticisms of an argument, as in 'The author's use of procatalepsis helped to strengthen her argument by addressing potential criticisms.' The term comes from the Greek 'prokatálēpsis', meaning 'preconception.'
