Rhetorical Devices and Examples

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant letters (or sounds) in two or more different words across successive sentences, clauses, or phrases

Epistrophe

the opposite of anaphora; it is the repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses.

Anaphora

The repetition of the initial word(s) over successive phrases or clauses

Assonance

Two or more words with similar vowel sounds sandwiched between different consonants

Ethos

Convincing an audience of an argument based on the character or credibility of the persuader

Hyperbole

Deliberate exaggeration to emphasize a point

Imagery

Language that evokes one or all of the five senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, touch

Logos

Convincing an audience of an argument based on logical facts and reasoning

Metaphor

An implied comparison between two different things

Parallelism

Successive words, phrases, clauses with the same or very similar grammatical structure

Pathos

Convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response

Simile

A comparison between two unlike things as though they were similar using the words "like" or "as"

Alliteration example

"a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation"

Anaphora example

"Go Back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities"

Assonance example

"Some of you have come from"

Ethos example

As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment will likely generate the best results.

Hyperbole example

We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Imagery example

He could see the boy through streaked glass, flashing with sunlight, blurring his vision.

Logos example

"By 2022, another study estimates, there will be 1.8 million vacant cybersecurity jobs"

Metaphor example

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends."

Parallelism example

"black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing"

Pathos example

The lifelong pain and anguish experienced by children of abusive and neglectful parents can never be erased.

Simile example

"we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream"

Epistrophe example

"The big sycamore by the creek was gone. The willow tangle was gone. The little enclave of untrodden bluegrass was gone."