Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical Devices

Parts of speech and writing that make communication more effective.

Adnomination

Use of multiple words with the same root in the same sentence.

Allusion

The act or practice of making a casual or indirect reference to something.

Anadiplosis

Using the last word of one clause or phrase as the first word of the next clause or phrase.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines.

Antanagoge

Responding to an allegation with a counter-allegation that reframes the situation and provides an appealing alternative.

Antimetabole

A figure of speech in which a phrase is repeated, but with the order of words reversed.

Antithesis

A figure of speech in which a polar opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed by placing them parallel to one another.

Apophasis

The denial of one's intention to speak of a subject that is at the same time named or insinuated.

Asyndeton

Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words.

Colloquialism

When informal, everyday language and expressions are used in writing or speeches.

Epistrophe

Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.

Epizeuxis

A type of repetition where a word or phrase is repeated in quick succession with no other words in between.

Figurative speech

Figurative language makes a comparison that is not meant to be read literally; figures of speech are intended to create a connection or highlight a significant part of a discussion.

Hypophora

A technique in which the speaker first asks a question and then answers it.

Juxtaposition

The act of two dissimilar things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

Parallelism

The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter.

Procatalepsis

A proactive approach to addressing the argument that an opponent might make by anticipating objections and addressing them in the original argument.

Polysyndeton

Using several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted, to stress the importance of each item.

Repetition

The act of repeating words or phrases to provide clarity or emphasis.

Rhetorical Question

A figure of speech in the form of a question posed for its persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply.

Tricolon

A list of three, or a sentence in which there are three parts or clauses.

Zeugma

Placing two nouns with different meanings in a similar position in a sentence.