Rhetorical Devices and Appeals: Definitions and Examples

Rhetorical Triangle

A framework for understanding the three main appeals in rhetoric: logos, ethos, and pathos.

Logos

Appeal to logic; involves logical thinking.

Ethos

Appeal to credibility; establishes authority/credibility.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion; evokes a specific emotion to persuade.

Appeal to fear

Tapping into the audience's sense of fear and anxiety in order to persuade.

Appeal to pity

Relying on people's sympathy to persuade them.

Appeal to vanity

Relying on people's need to feel good about themselves to persuade.

Appeal to patriotism

Calling on one's community spirit, specifically on one's love of country in an attempt to persuade.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer; often the answer is already known or obvious.

Definition / Redefining terms

Making a concept or idea definite, distinct, and clear.

Parallelism

Using the same pattern of words to illustrate that the ideas have the same level of importance.

Exemplification

Providing an example to prove a point.

Diction

Using specific words to achieve your purpose; builds tone.

Analogy

A comparison between two things for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Comparison (Juxtaposition)

Comparing two things close together to create a contrasting effect.

Metaphor

Making a comparison between two things that aren't alike but do have something important in common.

Extended metaphor

A metaphor that continues throughout a piece of writing.

Allusion

A figure of speech that makes a reference to a literary work or to a place, person, or event.

Anecdote

Telling a story (narrative) to prove a point.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

Antistrophe

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Antithesis

Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction.

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of human characteristics and qualities to non-human beings, objects, or phenomena.

Asyndeton

Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Litotes

Understatement for intensification, by denying the contrary of the thing being affirmed.

Metonymy

Substitution of one word for another which it suggests.

Synecdoche

Understanding one thing with another; the use of a part for the whole, or the whole for the part.

Oxymoron

Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another.

Paradox

An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it.

Periodic sentences

Sentences that begin with modifying phrases and clauses and end with an independent clause.

Loose/Cumulative sentences

Sentences that begin with the independent clause and then finish with a flurry of modifying constructions.

Polysyndeton

The repetition of conjunctions in a series of coordinate words, phrases, or clauses.