Common Rhetorical Devices

Anecdote

A short personal story used to personalize facts and evoke emotion. Look for: Personal pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our, etc.)

Rhetorical Question

A question posed to engage the reader, inviting them to infer answers. Look for: Question marks (?)

Citations

Quotations from other sources that provide expert opinion and build credibility. Look for: Quotation marks (“__”)

Allusion

A reference to a well-known piece of art or literature to evoke historical context. Look for references that enhance the understanding of the topic by connecting to broader cultural or literary themes.

Analogies

Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as' to make concepts more accessible. Look for comparisons that clarify or illustrate a point by showing relationships between different ideas.

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human items to increase emotional connection. Look for descriptions of non-human entities performing human actions or expressing human emotions.

Hypothesis/Speculation

Guesses or predictions about future outcomes using terms like 'if' or 'may'. Look for phrases that indicate uncertainty about the future.

Hyperbole

Exaggeration used for dramatic effect. Look for statements that dramatically overstate claims or descriptions to emphasize an emotion or concept.

Irony

When the opposite of what is expected occurs, often used for humor. Look for instances where outcomes are contrary to what was anticipated.

Cliché

An overused statement or expression that can reveal irony. Look for phrases that are overly familiar or lack originality.

Qualification

Adding information to soften a blunt statement, often using punctuation like dashes. Look for additional phrases that provide context or details that temper the impact of the statement.

Generalization

Speaking about broad categories or trends to help anticipate outcomes. Look for broad statements that summarize trends or common characteristics.

Concession/Acknowledgement

Admitting part of the opposing viewpoint to increase credibility. Look for phrases that recognize the validity of an opposing argument or evidence.

Point of View

Use of specific pronouns to establish perspective: first, second, and third person. Look for the use of pronouns such as 'I', 'you', and 'he/she/they' to determine the viewpoint.

Perspective

An organizational strategy that moves from personal to broad or vice versa. Look for transitions in the narrative that shift from an individual’s experience to larger societal or universal themes.

Historical Fact

Events outside the topic that provide context and connections, identified by specific dates. Look for specific dates and significance of the event in relation to the topic.

Word Play/Puns

Using similar sounding words for emphasis and humor. Look for instances of words that have dual meanings or that sound alike but have different meanings to create a clever twist.

Repetition/Parallel Structure

Repeating phrases or structures to indicate importance and enhance memorability. Look for patterns in the sentence structure and frequency of certain phrases.

Numbers

Data or statistics used as irrefutable evidence. Look for trends, significant figures, and the source of the data to evaluate its credibility.

Diction

Specific word choice that emphasizes points and achieves desired effect. Look for connotations, formality level, and appropriateness for the audience.