Rhetorical Devices

Credits to Zoe Kirk :)

alliteration

Repetition of consonant sounds in clusters of words

anaphora

repeating words or phrases at the beginning of neighboring phrases (opp. epistrophe)

epistrophe

repeating words or phrases at the end of neighboring phrases (opp. anaphora)

asyndeton

omission of conjunctions, often in a repetitive list (opp. polysyndeton)

polysyndeton

use of extra conjunctions for effect, often in lists (opp. asyndeton)

antithesis

two contrasting ideas are juxtaposed through parallel structure.

chiasmus

puts four terms in crisscrossed relation together (ABBA)

metaphor and similie

associating two things using "is" (metaphor) or "like/as" (similie)

parallelism

general balancing of successive phrases, clauses and sentences. called a TRICOLON if it happens in groups of 3

amplification

Repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it

climax

a series of successive clauses that build up in force and importance (numerical and spatial)

hyperbole

exaggeration for emphasis (extravagant language, not fully literal)

concessio

Conceding a minor point to gain a more important one ("yes, but...")

correctio

saying something, then retracting it and qualifying it (psuedo

enargia

Painting a mental picture of a scene or person ("Picture this...")

exemplum

Citing an example; using an illustrative story

apostrophe

direct address to a person, personified thing, or personified idea (that is not present)

comprobatio

Complimenting the audience strategically to benefit your cause (ethos)

hypophora

raising a question to the audience then proceeding to answer it yourself

Occultatio (Paralipsis)

Emphasizing something by seeming (pretending) to pass over it

rhetorical question

a question asked (and left unanswered) to make a point implicitly