Rhetorical Devices 1

Vernacular

Speech patterns unique to regions or people.

Verbal irony

A situation in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant.

Tone

The author’s attitude toward subject matter or character.

Situational irony

A situation in which the opposite of what you expect happens.

Satire

Text meant to critique political and social institutions by mocking them.

Sarcasm

Mean or biting humor created by saying the opposite of what is meant, a form of verbal irony.

Rhetorical question

A question asked to create dramatic effect rather than to get an answer.

Rhetoric

Eloquent and persuasive writing or speech.

POV

The perspective from which a story is told. First person "I", “We”. Second person is "She", "He", "It", "They"

Pathos

Persuasive appeal to audience's emotions using anecdotes, examples, and strong diction.

Logos

A persuasive appeal to an audience's logic and reasoning using facts, data, or expert opinions.

Jargon

Specialized language of a specific group.

Ethos

Persuasive appeal based on author’s credibility.

Dramatic irony

When an audience knows something that the characters don't, which creates tension or humor.

Diction

Author’s word choice.

Denotation

Dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation

A feeling associated with a word.

Colloquialism

Informal speech or slang.