Rhetorical Devices

Semester 1

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh, when referring to something unpleasant.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a successive clause(s).

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy where a conclusion is made without sufficient evidence, aka, jumping to a conclusion.

Methods of Development

Writing strategies used to support a main idea with evidence.

Logos

Apeal to logic: Using facts, statistics, logical connections, and evidence based reasoning.

Pathos

Apeal to emotion: evoking emotion in order to persuade through emotional connection, experience, and humanity.

Ethos

Apeal to credibility: Proving credibility to gain trust. Done by demonstrating trustworthiness, highlighting expertise, and reflecting shar

Litteral

Taking a word as its exact definition

Figurative

Taking a word as its metaphorical definition

Satire

The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or to ridicule to criticize or expose corruption.

Simile

A figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things using like or as.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares unlike things without using like or as.

Paradox

A statement that appears self contradictory or opposed to common sense but when examined contains underlying truth, meaning, or validity.

Asyndeton

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

Apostrophe

Where a speaker or writer directly adresses something or someone that is not present or is unable to respond.

Epithet

A descriptive phrase or adjective used to characterize a person, place, or thing.

Aphorism

Uses a concise, memorable, and often witty statement to express a general truth or principle.

Subjective

Expresses personal opinions, feelings, and biases using first person pro-nouns.

Objective

Presents unbiased, factual, information that can be verified with evidence.

Anadiplosis

Repeats the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next.

Begging the Question

A logical fallacy where an argument’s premise assumes the truth of the conclusion, making a circular argument.

Faulty Casualty

A rhetorical error where a false or unproven cause and effect relationship is claimed. Typically assuming that because one event followed the other, the first must have caused the second. (Post hoc ergo propter hoc)