English - Rhetorical Devices

Repetition

Repetition

the deliberate repeating of a key word or phrase within a single sentence or successive sentences

Parallelism

the use of a common grammatical structure or “formula” in a series of segments within a single sentence or in a series of sentences

(person + action + emotion)

Anadiplosis

It refers to the repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previous clause. (doubling back)

Anticlimax

a special type of parallelism where each segment becomes increasingly less significant in terms of importance

Climax

a special type of parallelism where each segment becomes increasingly more significant in terms of importance

Balance

the use of a common grammatical “formula” in a sentence that is physically cut in two (by a comma, semicolon, or conjunction), creating two equally significant halves

Antithesis

a special type of balance where the two equal halves of the sentence contain contrasting ideas

Chiasmus

when the word order in the second half of a sentence is an inversion of the word order in the first half

Anaphora

the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence

Polysyndeton

the deliberate inclusion of the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor) between the segments within a sentence

Asyndeton

the deliberate omission  of the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor) between the segments within a sentence

Allusion

indirect reference to a well-known event, person, thing, place or literature

Cliché

a phrase, expression or idea that has been overused to the point of losing its intended force or novelty

Hyperbole

an extravagant exaggeration

Idiom

expressions that do not have a literal meaning; rather, they establish their connotation by how they are used in speech

Understatement

creates the reverse effect (and adds a touch of irony) by making the fact seem less significant

Metaphor

compares two unlike things without the use of like or as; requires more interpretation

Simile

compares two unlike things using like or as

Paradox & Juxtaposition

Contrasts two or more ideas, concepts, or themes.

Oxymoron

the placement of words that mean the opposite of one another side by side so that they create new meaning

Irony

when what is said or what is happening is the opposite of what is expected

Rhetorical Question

a question not answered by the writer because the answers are obvious; intended to make the reader think

Wit

a type of intellectual or clever humour

Personification

giving an object/non human things human like characteristics

Alliteration

repetition of initial sounds at the beginning of a series of words

Imagery

detailed description of what something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels like

Argumentative Essay

to convince you of the validity of the writer’s point of view (thesis) through logic and presented in the order of importance

usually presents both sides but convinces you to take one side more forcefully than the other. Uses a lot of contrasts.

Descriptive Essay

to describe a person, place, or event with sensory details to allow the reader to visualize the subject

Expository Essay

to explain a subject, theory, idea, or phenomenon to the audience; to inform

to “ex-pose” or “ex-plain”

Narrative Essay

to narrate a sequence of events, tell a story, or outline a plot usually in chronological order. Author may remember his/her past, memorable person or event from that past, or even observe the present.  Usually makes a point

Persuasive Essay

To change the reader’s attitude or to motivate the reader to take action through emotional appeals.

Literary Essay

To explore the meaning and construction of literary work. Focuses on / analyzes elements of literature such as theme, character, setting, style, tone, etc.

Thesis

The main point or concept that the author is trying to convey.

Can be found anywhere

Inductive Reasoning

Theory → Hypothesis → Observation → Confirmation → Theory

(General)

Deductive Reasoning

Observation → Pattern → Tentative Hypothesis → Theory → Observation

(Specific)

LAAVISH

Methods of Proof

Literary Reference

reference to a piece of literary/written work (i.e. Bible, great novel, play, poem, etc.)

Appeal to Authority Figure

reference to an expert in the field

Attempt to Draw in Reader

use of the pronoun “you” to grab reader’s attention

Verifiable Fact

any statistic, number, fact, etc. that can be looked up and confirmed

Illustrations Using Contrast

use of two contrasting examples (i.e. natural teas are nutritious, however, coffee is superior because of its taste)

Statement of Author’s Opinion

personal belief; strong, yet biased opinion

Historical Reference

to an actual person/event