Rhetorical Devices Quiz

Juxtaposition

placement of two things closely together to emphasize similarities or differences

Juxtaposition Examples

“The nations of Asia and Africa are moving at jet-like speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Parallelism

similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses

Parallelism Examples

“Let both sides explore…Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals…Let both sides seek to invoke…Let both sides unite to heed…” —John F. Kennedy

We believe that…We assume that…

Antithesis

opposition, or contrast, of ideas or words in a parallel construction

Antithesis Examples

“We shall support any friend, oppose any foe” —John F. Kennedy

Anaphora

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

Anaphora Examples

“…not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need—not as a call to battle, though embattled we are…” —John F. Kennedy

Inversion

inverted order of words in a sentence (variation of the subject-verb-object order)

Inversion Examples

The greatest teacher, failure is.” —Yoda

“United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do.” —John F. Kennedy

Under the dictator, happy we are not.

Apophasis

a rhetorical device wherein the speaker or writer brings up a subject by either denying it, or denying that it should be brought up

Apophasis Examples

“I refuse to call Megyn Kelly a bimbo, because that would not be politically correct. Instead, I will only call her a lightweight reporter!” —Donald Trump

Verbal Irony

a figure of speech in which a speaker says one thing but means something else, or when what is said is the opposite of what is expected

Verbal Irony Examples

“I grant that this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.” —Jonathan Swift

It’s going to snow later. We should go to the beach.

Litotes

a figure of speech that uses understatement to emphasize a point by stating a negative to further affirm a positive, often incorporating double negatives for effect

Litotes Examples

“It’s not rocket science.” (i.e. It’s very easy.)

“I cannot say that I think you are very generous to the ladies; for, whilst you are proclaiming peace and good-will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives.” —Abigail Adam

Paradox

a statement or situation that is seemingly contradictory on the surface, but delivers an ironic truth

Paradox examples

“I can resist everything except temptation.” —Oscar Wilde

Oxymoron

a paradox made up of two seemingly contradictory words

Oxymoron Examples

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” —John F. Kennedy

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