Rhetorical Devices Quiz

Logos

Part of the rhetorical triangle—involves logical thinking

Ethos

Part of the rhetorical triangle—establishes authority/credibility

Pathos

Part of the rhetorical triangle—evokes a specific emotion to persuade

Allusion

a figure of speech that refers to a literary work (establishes credibility) or to a place, person, or event

Can refer to anything. Can be direct or inferred

Analogy

a comparison between two things for explanation or clarification

Anecdote

telling a story to prove a point

Anthropomorphism

ascribing human qualities to inhuman objects, phenomena, and beings

A form of personification

Anaphora

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

Antistrophe

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

Antithesis

opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction

ex. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

Asyndeton

lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words

Definition/Redefining Terms

making a concept or idea definite, distinct, or clear

Diction

using specific words to achieve your purpose; builds tone

Exemplification

providing an example to prove a point

Hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

Hypophora

a question that is immediately followed up with an answer by the author

Juxtaposition

Comparing two things close together (side by side) to create a contrasting effect

Litotes

understatement by denying the contrary of the thing being affirmed

A litotes deliberately makes something sound less intense or extreme than it really is

ex. The weather isn’t terrible (during a hurricane)

Metaphor

making a comparison between two things that aren’t alike but do have something (very important) in common

Metonymy

Substitution of one word for another word, which it suggests

ex. the white house being used to reference the president/government

Oxymoron

apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another

ex. I must be cruel only to be kind

Paradox

an assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth to it

ex. Less is more

Paralellism

using the same pattern of words to illustrate that ideas have the same level of importance

Polysyntedon

the repetition of conjunctions in a series of coordinate words, phrases, or clauses

Repetition

Words, sounds, and ideas used more than once to enhance rhythm

Rhetorical Question

question that is asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer; often the answer is already known or obvious

Synecdoche

understanding one thing with another, using a part for the whole, or the whole for the part

A kind of metonymy

ex. put your eyes on me (referring to attention, not just eyes)