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Rhetorical and Stylistic Devices
Alliteration The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound -creates a strong, emotional response -the effect of successful alliteration is beauty of sound and emphasis Example: The majestic, the magnificent Mississippi.
Allusion A reference to a generally familiar person, place or thing, whether real or legendary -drawn from history, geography, the Bible, mythology, and literature -creates familiarity for audience; audience connects to something larger than present Example: To eat or not to eat.
Analogy A comparison of two things, often a dissimilar nature yet alike in certain aspects, in order to suggest that what is true of one applies to the other Example: Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.
Anaphora The repetition of a word, or group of words, at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences or lines of poetry -emphasis is created, although care must be taken not to become affected or to sound rhetorical and bombastic Example: To think on death it is a misery,/ To think on life it is a vanity;/ To think on the world verily it is,/ To think that here man hath no perfect bliss.
Anecdote A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point. Forms a more human connection (pathos) between audience and speaker.
Antimetabole Repetition of words in reverse order Example: Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country. Example: Fail to plan, to fail.
What is a Rhetorical Device?
A rhetorical device is a technique of using language that will increase the persuasiveness of a piece of writing. A writer or speaker will use these to a meaning with the goal of persuading the listener or reader towards considering a topic from a different perspective. A rhetorical device is to make the audience receptive through emotional changes and to provide a rational argument for the frame of view or course of action.
The Effectiveness of Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical devices generally fall into three different categories: Those involving emphasis, association, clarification, and focus Those involving physical organization, transition, and disposition or arrangement Those involving decoration and variety
While some ideas have been given about the effect of these devices, you are not limited to what is written here. Also, there is often more than one effect created by a given device, which often devices on the situation in question.
Antithesis Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.
- Used more emphasis and to draw attention Example: We shall support any friend, oppose any foe. Example: To err is human; to forgive, divine. Example: That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
Assonance The repetition of internal vowel sounds in closely following words.
- The effect of successful assonance is beauty of sound and emphasis Example : A deep, green stream
Asyndeton Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. It creates an emotional feeling of “building up” and that there is more to follow. Example: He came, he saw, he conquered. Example: They spent the day wondering, searching, thinking, understanding.
Closing by return The practise of ending a long paragraph or one section of an essay by returning to an image, an idea, or a statement that occurs in the beginning
Colloquialism Language which occurs more often in speech than in writing
- Strengthens argument by using relatable language Example: After having committed a succession of grisly murders, he was thrown into the slammer for life.
Connotation Not the thing or idea the word stands for (denotation), but the attitudes, feelings and emotions aroused by the word Example: Village/hick town
Euphemism Replacing a harsh word with a more pleasant one
- Disguises truth, often used by politicians and in censorship endeavours - Used to downplay a potentially bleak situation Example: Kick the bucket. Example: He was vertically challenged.
Figurative Language Describes language that moves, for meaning or effect, beyond standard or literal meaning -common figures of speech include simile, metaphor, personification, pun, hyperbole, understatement, oxymoron
Flow The continuity, or coherence, among the sentences of a paragraph
Framing Words Serve to separate and to introduce the several divisions of a subject or thought Examples: first , moreover , therefore , etc.
Hortative Sentence that exhorts, advises, calls to action sentence Example: Your talents are wasted. You should look for a more rewarding job!
Hyperbole Deliberate exaggeration Example: till all the seas run dry.
Imagery A picture made with words although images may also appeal to touch, hearing, and taste
- in a much broader sense, imagery refers to an author’s use of figures of speech of any kind
Imperative Sentence used to command, enjoin, implore, or entreat Sentence Example: My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Simile Is a comparison between two different things that resemble each other in at least one way. In formal prose the simile is a device both of art and explanation, comparing an unfamiliar thing to some familiar thing (an object, event, process, etc.) known to the reader. It generally uses “like” or “as”. Example: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun
Symbol A person, place or thing that exists both in its own right as something real and tangible and also as something greater than itself- an attitude, a belief, a quality, a value
Synecdoche A form of metaphor which in mention a part signifies the whole, or the whole symbolizes the part (often not distinguished from metonymy) Example: General Motors announced cutbacks. Example: Farmer Jones has two hundred head of cattle and three hired hands. Example: Give us this day our daily bread.
Understatement To play down or soften something that is starting, horrifying, shocking, painful, or otherwise deserving of more emotion and attention than the writer gives it
Tone The speaker’s attitude toward the subject or audience -In some essays, the tone may be so personal that readers come to feel they know the author intimately Examples: Satiric Whimsical Dramatic Learned Informative Sombre Urgent Confident Objective Diffident Ironic Didactic Petty Factual Restrained Disdainful Pedantic Indignant Bantering Flippant
Patronizing Mock-serious Benevolent Burlesque Fanciful Detached Cynical Scornful Effusive Colloquial Compassionate Impartial Pretentious Vibrant Sentimental Moralistic Taunting Angry Turgid Insolent Condescending Sympathetic Inflammatory Candid
Zeugma Includes several similar rhetorical devices, all involving a grammatically correct linkage (or yoking together) of two or more parts of speech by another part of speech. The main benefit of the linking is that it shows relationships between ideas and actions more clearly. Example: Fred excelled at sports; Harvey at eating; Tom with girls. Example: Alexander conquered the world; I, Minneapolis.
