Literary Devices and Rhetorical Techniques

Allusion

A reference to another work, person, or event. Ex: "He was a real Romeo with the ladies."

Anaphora

Repetition of a word/phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Ex: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight…"

Antithesis

Opposing ideas in parallel structure. Ex: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Asyndeton

Omission of conjunctions. Ex: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Polysyndeton

Use of many conjunctions. Ex: "We have ships and men and money and stores."

Metaphor

A comparison without using like or as. Ex: "Time is a thief."

Simile

A comparison using like or as. Ex: "Brave as a lion."

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but reveals truth. Ex: "Less is more."

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, not answer. Ex: "Isn't it obvious?"

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject. Ex: "bitter," "optimistic," "satirical"

Diction

Word choice. Can be formal, informal, emotional, abstract, etc.

Syntax

Sentence structure. Short, choppy? Long, flowing?

Juxtaposition

Placing two contrasting ideas near each other. Ex: beauty and ugliness

Understatement

Downplaying something to emphasize effect. Ex: "It's just a scratch" (about a serious injury)

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis. Ex: "I've told you a million times!"

Ethos

Appeal to credibility or character. Ex: "As a doctor, I can say…"

Pathos

Appeal to emotion. Ex: "Imagine your child crying for food…"

Logos

Appeal to logic or reason. Ex: statistics, cause-and-effect