Rhetorical Devices

Colloquialism

Word or phrase that is not normal or literary. Typically used in familiar conversation within culture language or region.

Ex. Southern: Y’all

Trope

All the ways that a writer or speaker can use non literal language to get their ideas across and evoke the response they want.

Ex. The chosen one, enemies to lovers.

Schemes

A type of figure of speech that manipulates word order, syntax, or sound patterns to achieve a specific, impactful effect in writing.

Ex. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

Asyndeton

Purposeful removal of conjunctions to add emphasis or increase the rhythm.

Ex. I came, I saw, I conquered.

Aphorism

Short, witty statement that expresses a general truth/principle

Ex. Actions speak louder than words

Sarcasm

Use of words that mean the opposite of what you say, often used as mockery or to convey contempt

Ex. “oh really?”

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally

Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Understatement

A figure of speech that deliberately minimizes the importance of seriousness of an event to create humor or irony.

Ex. Its just a scratch

Bias

Information is presented in a way that favors one side, while ignoring or just not paying attention to other viewpoints in a given circumstance.

Ex. Anyone who doesn’t support a school dress code clearly doesn’t care about discipline.

Diction

The style of a speaker’s word choice.

Ex. That individual is highly intelligent vs. that guy is smart

Syntax

How the speaker arranges words in a sentence

Ex. Only batman fights crime vs. batman only fights crime

Oxymoron

A combination of contradictory words.

Ex.Original copy

Declarative sentences

End with a period to inform, declare, or explain information.

Ex. I am your father.

Exigence

Urgent issue, problem or situation that motivates and shapes a text.

Ex. 9/11 attack to G.W. Bush speech

Denotation

Word’s literal dictionary definition.

Allusion

Calling something to mind without explicitly stating it.

Ex. She was like modern day Cinderella

Analogy

Comparing two things by highlighting similarities

Ex. iPhone and Samsung both have good cameras.

Complex sentence

Joins one independent clause with at least one dependent clause using subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Ex. Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.

Simple sentence

Contains one independent clause with a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought without any dependent clauses.

Ex. I have a dream today.

Antimetabole

A phrase is repeated, but with the order of the words reversed

Ex. Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

Appeal to pathos

Invokes strong emotions/passion

Ex. Smoking kills

Appeals to logos

Persuasion of audience using logic, reasoning, evidence and facts. Appeals to credibility.

Ex. Butter lubricates our arteries and veins

Metaphor

Compares 2 unlike things by saying one is the other to create deeper meaning.

Ex. All the world’s a stage

Parallel Structure

Using repeating grammatical patterns to emphasize ideas.

Ex. I came, I saw, I conquered

Methods of development

Rhetorical strategies used to organize, support, and explain ideas within writing.

Cause/effect: Explain why something happened or the consequences of an action

Narration: telling a story or relating a series of events, often in chronological order.

Process Analysis: Explaining how something works.

Syllogism: A method of deductive reasoning used to develop arguments.

Compare/Contrast: Highlighting similarities and differences between subjects.

Simile

Comparing two things that are NOT connected using “like” or “as”

Ex. The lunchroom was like a circus

Farce

A type of comedy that uses exaggerated, ridiculous situations to mock people or society.

Ex. When everything goes wrong… its hilarious”

Irony

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality

Ex. “I have to have this operation. It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny

little tumor on the brain.

Polysyndeton

Multiple coordinating conjunctions to deliberately slow down a sentence’s pace, add rhythm, and emphasize the equal importance of each item in a list.

Ex. If there be cords, or knives, or poison, or fire, or suffocating streams, I’ll not endure it.

Appeal to Kairos

Seizing the opportune moment or right time to persuade an audience, making a message relevant, timely, and urgent for maximum impact. Giving argument at proper time in the text

Ex. For limited time only, Call within the next 10 minutes.

Appeal to ethos

Mode of persuasion that establishes a writer’s credibility, character, and authority.

Ex. Being the president

Zeugma

When one word is used to describe two different things in different ways.

Ex. She lost her keys and her temper

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences.

Ex. I have a dream…

Cumulative sentences

Sentence that begins with the main point followed by a series of phrases and clauses that expand on the main points.

Ex.The dog barked, wagging its tail and jumping with excitement

Periodic Sentences

A sentence that is not grammatically complete until the end. The main point is intentionally delays and is preceded by phrases or clauses.

Ex. Despite the blinding snow, the freezing temperatures, and the slippery roads, the mail was delivered on time

Jargon

Specific terms used by a particular profession or group.

Ex. You got a wire

Euphemsim

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

Ex. Let go vs. fired