English literary and rhetorical devices

Chiasmus

Reversal of structure

Anadiplosis

Repetition of last word at the start of the next clause

Epanalepsis

Repetition at the beginning and the end of a clause

Zeugma

One word applies multiple meanings

Framing

Opening and closing with the same idea

Ad Populum

Appeal to popularity (arguing that something is true because lots of people believe it)

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument

Straw Man

Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack

Slippery Slope

Claiming one small step will lead to a chain of catastrophic events

False Dichotomy

Presenting two option as the only possibilities when more exist

Circular Reasoning

Using the conclusion as a premise without proper support

Appeal to authority

Arguing something is true because authority says so

Post Hoc

Assuming that because one event followed another then it was caused by it

Red Herring

Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the argument

Bandwagon

Suggesting that one should do something because everyone else is doing it

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion

Aristotelian Triad

Three main components of a persuasive argument

Ethos

The public persona you portray (how you come across)

Logos

Your argument and how it is constructed

Pathos

Making your audience feel something (being emotive)

Direct Address

Speaking directly to the reader using 'you'

Inclusive Pronouns

Using 'we', 'our', 'us'

Rhetorical Question

Question asked for effect, not answer

Hypophora

Posing and answering a question

Repetition

Repeating words or phrases

Lists / Tricolon

Three-part structure for emphasis

Facts

Statements that can be proven true

Statistics

Numerical data

Expert Opinion

Quoting specialists

Quotations

Using someone else’s words

Anecdote

Short personal story

Contrast

Showing differences

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas side by side

Emotive Language

Words that evoke strong feelings

Imperatives

Commanding verbs

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for effect

Understatement / Litotes

Deliberate downplaying

Metaphor

Implied comparison

Simile

Comparison using 'like' or 'as'

Irony

Saying opposite of what is meant

Parenthesis

Extra info in brackets or dashes

Ellipsis

Three dots indicating omission or pause

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

Anaphora

Repetition at start of clauses

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas in parallel structure

Circular Structure

Returning to initial idea at end

Climactic Order

Ideas arranged in increasing importance

Epizeuxis

Immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis

Prolepsis

Anticipating and answering objections within a text; also refers to speaking of future events as if they are already occurring

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences

Isocolon

A series of clauses of equal length and structure

Diacope

Repetition of a word or phrase with one or two intervening words

News Report

Objective account of current events

Feature Article

In-depth coverage with descriptive detail

Editorial

Newspaper’s official opinion on an issue

Column

Regular opinion piece by a named writer

Interview

Q&A or narrative presenting someone’s views

Obituary

Tribute summarising a person’s life

Letter to the Editor

Reader’s response; persuasive tone

Magazine Article

Informative or entertaining; often visual

Advice Column

Guidance on personal issues

Review

Evaluation of books, films, music, products

Travel Writing

Descriptive account of places and experiences

Report

Formal, structured factual account

Opinion Piece

Subjective viewpoint on an issue

Commentary

Analysis of current events or trends

Speech

Persuasive, informative, or commemorative

Open Letter

Public letter intended for wide readership

Advertisement

Promotes products/services using persuasive language

Campaign Leaflet

Persuasive text for political or social causes

Biography

Life story of someone else

Autobiography

Writer’s own life story

Memoir

Focused on specific experiences or themes

Diary/Journal

Personal reflections, often chronological

Travelogue

Narrative of journeys and observations

Instruction Manual

Step-by-step guidance

Recipe

Ingredients and method for cooking

Guidebook

Practical advice for places or activities

Leaflet/Brochure

Informational or promotional material

Poster

Visual and textual information for public display

Timetable/Schedule

Organised time-based information

Essay

Discursive, argumentative, or reflective

Report

Scientific, business, or investigative

Article

Research-based, formal tone

Case Study

Detailed analysis of a single example

Blog Post

Informal, opinionated, or informative

Online Review

Consumer feedback on products/services

Social Media Post

Short-form persuasive or informative content

Web Article

Informative content for online platforms