Figurative & Rhetorical Devices for The Road

Anadiplosis- The repetition of the last word or phrase of one sentence or clause at the beginning of the next.

Example: “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.”

Anaphora- The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: “We will not give up. We will not give in. We will not fail.”

Aphorism- A short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or idea.

Example: “Actions speak louder than words.”

Colloquialism- Informal language or slang used in everyday conversation.

Example: “Y’all,” “gonna,” “ain’t”

Connotation- The emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word beyond its literal definition.

Example: “Home” suggests comfort and safety, not just a place.

Ellipsis- The omission of words that are understood from context or the use of three dots (…) to indicate a pause or unfinished thought.

Example: “I was thinking… maybe later.”

Epistrophe- The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”

Hyperbole- An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”

Irony- A contrast between expectation and reality.

A traffic cop is caught speeding

Repetition- The repeated use of words or phrases to emphasize an idea.

Example: “Never, never, never give up.”

Rhetorical Question- A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered.

Example: “Isn’t it obvious?”

Syntax- The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences; sentence structure.

The boy kicked the ball.

Ethos- An appeal to credibility or trust. The speaker/writer shows they are reliable or knowledgeable.

A celebrity or somebody important.

Pathos- An appeal to emotion. The speaker/writer tries to make the audience feel something.

emotion to make the reader feel something

Logos- An appeal to logic and reason. The speaker/writer uses facts, evidence, and reasoning.

Logic and reason by using facts, evidence, and reasoning.