RHETORICAL DEVICES Austin 25-26

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as (ex: Sherman Alexie uses metaphors that may offend to show truth)

Hyperbole

An exaggeration for effect (ex: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse”)

Exigence

The catalyst that prompts someone to write or speak (ex: Patrick Henry responding to British oppression)

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds (ex: she sells seashells)

Allusion

A direct reference to a well-known historical, biblical, literary, or pop-culture idea (ex: Alexie referencing Superman)

Ambiguity

When a writer leaves meaning open to interpretation (ex: a story with an unclear ending)

Aphorism

A short, witty universal truth (ex: “No pain, no gain”)

Colloquialism

slang or informality in writing (ex: “y’all”)

Connotation

The emotional or cultural meaning of a word (ex: “home” = warmth, safety)

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word (ex: “home” = a place where one lives)

Diction

An author’s word choice (ex: formal vs. informal diction)

Didactic

Writing intended to teach a lesson (ex: Jonathan Edwards’s sermons)

Euphemism

A softer, more polite way of saying something harsh (ex: “pushing up daisies” = dead)

Extended metaphor

A metaphor stretched across several lines or an entire work (ex: sustained comparison in a poem)

Figurative language

Language not meant literally, including metaphors, similes, imagery (ex: “the world is a stage”)

Figure of speech

A single instance of figurative language (ex: “time is a thief”)

Generic conventions

Traits or traditions defining each genre (ex: mystery novels include clues)

Genre

A category of literature (ex: poetry, nonfiction, drama)

Homily / Sermon

A serious moral or spiritual lecture (ex: Jonathan Edwards)

Imagery

Descriptive language appealing to the senses (ex: “the crisp scent of fall leaves”)

Invective

Harsh or insulting verbal attack (ex: Edwards condemning sinners)

Irony

When the opposite of what is expected occurs (ex: a fire station burns down)

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas next to each other (ex: light vs. darkness)

Oxymoron

Two contradictory words forming a paradox (ex: “jumbo shrimp”)

Parallelism

Repetition of grammatical structure for effect (ex: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”)

Parody

A humorous imitation of a serious work (ex: Scary Movie spoofing horror films)

Pedantic

Overly scholarly or preachy language (ex: unnecessary academic detail)

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman things (ex: “the wind whispered”)

Point of View

The perspective from which a story is told (ex: 1st person “I”)

Repetition

Reusing words or phrases for emphasis (ex: “never again, never again”)

Rhetoric

The art of persuasive speaking or writing (ex: using appeals to persuade)

Rhetorical appeals

The strategies of ethos, pathos, logos (ex: credibility, emotion, logic)

Satire

Using humor to expose flaws in society or people (ex: The Onion)

Simile

A comparison using like or as (ex: “brave as a lion”)

Style

The author’s unique writing manner shaped by diction, syntax, and tone (ex: Douglass’s precise style)

Syllogism

Logical reasoning using two premises and a conclusion (ex: all men are mortal…)

Symbolism

Using objects to represent deeper meanings (ex: dove = peace)

Theme

The central message of a text (ex: resilience, identity)

Thesis

The main argument or claim of a piece (ex: Douglass argues literacy is freedom)

Tone

The writer’s attitude toward the subject (ex: matter-of-fact, sarcastic)

Transition

A word or phrase connecting ideas smoothly (ex: however, therefore)

Understatement

Minimizing something for effect (ex: calling a huge wound “a scratch”)

Wit

Clever or humorous language used persuasively (ex: Frank McCourt’s humorous voice)

Attitude

The writer’s stance or feelings toward a subject (ex: critical tone)

Devices

Techniques an author uses to create effects (ex: imagery, irony)

Language

The overall style of words used (ex: formal or colloquial language)

Narrative devices

Tools used in storytelling (ex: flashback, foreshadowing)

Rhetorical features

Techniques that enhance persuasion (ex: diction, tone, structure)

Stylistic devices

Choices shaping an author’s style (ex: parallelism, figurative language)