rhetoric techniques for essays

Similie

A comparison using "like" or "as"

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as

Personification

the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.

Metonymy

when you use the name of something closely related to a thing to stand for it.

Example: Saying "the White House" instead of "the President" or "the U.S. government."

Synecdoche

when you use a part of something to represent the whole, or the whole to represent a part.

Example:

• Saying "all hands on deck" means all people, not just their hands.

• Saying "wheels" to mean a car.

Alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words

ex: peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds

ex. the rain in spain stays mainly in the plain

Onomatopoeia

the use of words that imitate sounds

Anaphora

the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences

ex: i have a dream…i have a dream…i have a dream

Epiphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses

ex. i want pizza, he wants pizza, we all want pizza

Anadiplosis

repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause

ex. fear leads to anger. anger leads to hate. hate leads to suffering

tautology

is when you say the same thing twice using different words, even though one word would be enough.

Example:

• “Free gift” (a gift is already free)

• “Repeat again” (to repeat is to do it again)

Tricolon

when three words, phrases, or sentences are used together in a row to make an idea more powerful, often building in intensity or rhythm.

Example:
“Veni, vidi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered).
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Tetracolon

when FOUR words, phrases, or sentences are used together in a row to make an idea more powerful, often building in intensity or rhythm.

Example:
“He ran, he jumped, he shouted, he celebrated.”

Asyndeton

when you leave out conjunctions (like "and" or "but") between words, phrases, or clauses, creating a faster, more dramatic effect.

Example:
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
(Instead of “I came and I saw and I conquered.”)

Polysyndeton

when you use extra conjunctions (like "and," "or," "but") between words, phrases, or clauses, often creating a feeling of abundance or slowing down the rhythm.

Example:
“I want to buy a jacket and a scarf and a hat and gloves.”

Long sentence short sentence juxtaposition

A long sentence (usually 3-5 lines) juxtaposed with a short sentence (usually only a few words)

Antithesis

the opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite.

ex. it was the best of times. it was the worst of times

Chiasmus

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed

ex. never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite words to create a unique effect.

ex. jumbo shrimp, deafening silence

Isocolon

when you use two or more parts in a sentence that are equal in length and have the same structure. It creates balance and symmetry in writing.

Example:
“Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.)

rhetorical question

A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an answer

Hypophora

a figure of speech in which a writer raises a question and then immediately provides an answer to that question

Allegory

A story in which each aspect of the story has a symbolic meaning outside the tale itself.

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, event, literary work, or work of art

Symbolism

A device in literature where an object, person, place, or thing represents an idea.

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by saying something is NOT the opposite of what you mean

ex. shes not unkind (shes kind), its not the worst idea (its a good idea)

Euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

ex. im sorry she passed away, instead of im sorry she died

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Apostrophe

when a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present or can't respond, like an abstract idea, an object, or even a dead person.

Example:

• “O Death, where is thy sting?” — from The Bible

• “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!” — addressing the star as if it could respond

Irony

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

Paradox

statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical, but upon closer inspection, it may reveal a deeper truth.

Example:

• “This statement is false.”

• “Less is more.”

Zeugma

when one word, usually a verb, links two things together that don't seem to go together.

Example:

• “She broke his heart and his phone.”
  (The word "broke" is used for both “heart” and “phone,” even though they are very different.)

syntax

the way words are arranged in a sentence to make it clear and meaningful.

“She runs fast” changing the order can change the meaning: “Fast she run.” (sounds more poetic and dramatic)

parallelism

when you use the same structure or pattern of words in a sentence to show that ideas are of equal importance.

Example:

• “She likes reading, writing, and swimming.”
  (Each activity is in the same form: a verb + ing.)