Examples of Rhetorical Devices - AP Language and Composition

Alliteration example

She sells seashells by the seashore.

Antithesis example

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.

Allusion example

Calling someone a ‘Scrooge’ after the Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, a reference to the character’s nature

Anaphora example

You may shoot me with your words. You may cut me with your eyes. You may kill me with your hatefulness.

Chiasmus example

You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.

Climax example

My brother, my captain, my king.

Hyperbole example

I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.

Irony example

Saying “what a beautiful day” during a thunderstorm.

Satire example

The film depicted world leaders arguing over luxury seats on a sinking ship, highlighting the absurdity of political negligence.

Metaphor example

Her voice was a dagger, cutting through the silence of the courtroom.

Simile example

Her courage shone like the sun breaking through storm clouds.

Persona example

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he takes on the persona of a hopeful leader and visionary.

Personification example

The wind whispered through the trees.

Imagery example

From Richard Wright’s ‘Native Son’ is the description of an alarm clock clanging, a cramped apartment, and the smell of breakfast cooking.

Analogy example

An author expending success from a first novel is like dropping a rose into the Grand Canyon and waiting to hear an echo

Repetition example

Time after time

Rhetorical question example

Isn’t it time we took responsibility for our actions?