Rhetorical Devices

Apostrophe

when someone (not usually present) or an abstract quality is addressed directly.

7. SYMBOLISM

using concrete objects, images, or characters to represent a larger, more universal idea

PARALLELISM

the use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.

6. HYPERBOLE

an exaggeration used for emphasis

ALLUSION

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing refreence

Metonymy

naming an object by substituting a term closely associated with the word in mind (the crown the king)

Paradox

a statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense, but upon closer inspection, contains some degree of truth or validity.

8. EUPHEMISM

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

RHETORICAL QUESTION -

a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer

Syneedoche

figurative language used in which a part signifies the whole or whole signifies the part. Calling a sailor a "hand" or the police "the law."

JUXTAPOSITION

two opposing things (ideas, images, colors, etc.) placed close together with contrasting effect

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beggineing of succesive clauses or sentences.

15. PARADOX

a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition that, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well founded or true.

Parallelism

the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity; can involve repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase; acts as an organiza

Oxymoron

figurative language wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest truth or validity. "Jumbo shrimp"

12. PERSONIFICATION

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman

14. SITUATIONAL IRONY

a state of affairs, an event, or an explanation that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects

METAPHOR

comparing one idea, object, or image directly the another dissimilar one without using like or as.

9. SIMILE

comparing one idea, object, or image the another dissimilar one by using like or as.

10. POLYSYNDETON

a stylistic device in which several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession in order to achieve an artistic effect

Anadiplosis

The repetition of the last word (or phrase) from the previous line, clause, or sentence at the beginning of the next. "He talked about games. Games were not what they had in mind."

11. ANTITHESIS

a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other

13. EPISTROPHE

the repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences