Rhetorical Devices Study Set

Propaganda

dissemination of information—facts, arguments, rumours, half-truths, or lies—to influence public opinion. It is often conveyed through mass media

Alliteration

Def: Repetition of the same letter or sound within nearby words

Function: allows words and phrases to flow together in a rhythmic, musical way that enhances both poetry and prose. Alliteration also allows faster, more accurate memorization of poetry or prose.
Ex: Bed & Shower → Bed, Bath & Beyond

Allusion

Def: a brief or casual reference to a famous person, group, historical event, place, or work of art
X (new) alludes to ___ Y (original).

Function: evokes a specific reaction from the audience and resonate due to familiarity. Deeper meaning is also created from original

Analogy

Def: a comparison made on the basis of the structural relationships between the terms that are involved in the comparison

Function: implies that the two objcts function in similar ways, with the implication that understanding one will help one understand the other

Anaphora

Def: The repetition of a word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

Function: appeals to emotion by creating a rhythm and a sense of an accumulating emotions and meanings; creates a sense of participation when the audience knows what comes next

Jargon

Def: a type of specialized language used within a particular field

Function: when used positively, the term indicates a type of precise, technical language that addes to credibility. when used negatively, jargon might suggest an overly complicated and pretentious way of speaking.

Antithesis

Def: Meaning "opposite,"
When two opposite ideas, phrases, or clauses are put together in a sentence to create contrast through a parallel structure

Function: emphasize contrast, or the difference between two ideas
Ex: one small step for man → one giant leap for mankind

Epistrophe

Def: The repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences

Function: to emphasize an idea, a thought, or a passage; makes the words memorable due to the rhyme scheme and appeals to the emotion of readers

Forced Teaming

Def: The repeated or frequent use of words such as "we" or "our"

Function: establishes trust or agreement by association; creates a sense of unity so that the reader feels they are a part of the goal, plan, or story

Anecdote

Def: A person shares an anecdote when he talks about someone or something he saw or heard about; the anecdote usually arises within the context of a specific conversation, and the speaker shares it because it is relevant to the conversation.

Function: meant to have an emotional effect on the listener; immerses the reader in an experience, creating connection and/or helping them understand something they haven’t experienced through imagery

Euphemism

Def: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

Function: to cover up an unpleasant reality by using words that do not call direct attention to the actual nature of the situation at hand
Ex: To fire someone → let go

Hyperbole

Def: exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

Function: emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions and/or imagery
Ex: I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse

Metaphor

Def: a comparison of shared qualities between two things without the use of the word "like" or "as"

Function: to draw attention to certain qualities of the objects being associated through the figure of speech

Paradox

Def: a statement that contradicts itself, or that must be both true and untrue at the same time

Function: to point out that a truth lies beyond the bounds of reason; demonstrates the fallibility of human logic

Parallelism

Def: known as parallel structure, is when phrases in a sentence have similar or the same grammatical structure

Function: to provide a phrase with balance and clarity; parallelism also gives phrases a patter and rhythm, thus making it more memorable
Ex: open a Coke, open happiness

Rhetorical Question

Def: a question asked merely for effect with no answer expected.

Function: to make a point, rather than get an answer; sometimes encourages agreement

Simile

Def: a comparison using the words "like" or "as"

Function: used to make stronger and more effective descriptions than if only adjectives or literal descriptions through creative, descriptive, and entertaining language

Glittering Generalities

Emotionally appealing words associated with highly-valued concepts that carry conviction without supporting information.

Testimonials

the use of satisfied customers and celebrities to endorse a product in advertising

Bandwagon

tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or everyone is doing it

Plain Folks

Attempting to convince the public that one's views reflect those of the common person