Rhetorical Choices (definitions)

rhetorical analysis

the process of critically assessing a text to understand HOW it persuades its audience

rhetorical choices/devices

specific techniques that writers use to make their ideas more clear, persuasive, and memorable.

metaphor

a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but instead serves to generate an image, idea, or feeling through the use of comparison.

allusion

an indirect or passing reference to a well known person/event form literature, history, Greek mythology, or the Bible; an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly

hyperbole

an obvious and deliberate exaggeration, often made for emphasis or humor

rhetorical question

A question that is asked to create dramatic effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed; the answer may be obvious and no real answer is expected.

hypophora

When the speaker poses a question and then directly answers it.

analogy

drawing a comparison that shows a similarity between two unlike things for the purpose of explaining or clarification

anecdote

a short story that is significant to the topic at hand, usually adding personal knowledge or experience to the topic.

repetition

using the same words frequently to reinforce concepts and unify the speech (but with no particular order or placement)

anaphora

repeating a word or sequence of words at the beginning of neighboring clauses, thereby lending emphasis, emotion, and creating a pleasurable memorable rhythm (opposite of epistrophe)

epistrophe

the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences (the opposite of anaphora).

parallelism

repeating a grammatical structure or an arrangement of words to create rhythm and momentum

asyndeton

the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.

polysyndeton

a device in which several/many coordinating conjunctions are used in succession

chiasmus

reversing the order of words in the second of two parallel phrases or sentences (like placing a mirror in the middle)

oxymoron

a combination of two words of opposite meaning for dramatic, comedic, or provocative effect

paradox

a statement that seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains self contradictory elements

juxtaposition

antithesis

a form of juxtaposition that places opposite words, ideas, or qualities parallel to each other. The contast between them creates greater emphasis and clarity.