rhetorical devices

hyperbole

exaggerating some part of the statement in order to give it emphasis or focus

understatement

a rhetorical form in which the force of a descriptive statement is less than what one would normally expect

litotes

emphasizes its point by using a word opposite to the condition

antithesis

makes use of a contrast in language to bring out a contrast in ideas

hypophora

asking a question and then answering it

rhetorical question

asking a question to which the answer is implied

procatalepsis

directly addresses/deals with objections

distinctio

form in which the writer elaborates on the definition of a word to make sure there is no misunderstanding

simile

a device in which the writer compares two things using the words "like" or "as", pointing out the likenesses between the two things being compared

metaphor

a comparison wherein the writer speaks of one thing as if it were the other, using a "to be" verb usually

analogy

this device makes use of something already well-known to explain something that is not well-known

allusion

a reference to a fairly well-known event, place, or person

eponym

a device which makes a reference to a specific person to link his or her attributes with someone else

sententia

a fancy term for a quotation, maxim, or wise saying...normally not attributed to a specific person, although it can be

exemplum

simply provides the reader with an example to illustrate a point

climax

the culminating point in a sequence of events

parallelism

uses the same general structure in multiple parts of a sentence or for multiple sentence in order to link them

chiasmus

a special form of parallelism that flips the original form around

anadiplosis

a form of repetition that takes the last word of a sentence or a phrase and repeats it near the beginning of the next sentence or phrase

metabasis

a device used to sum up a body of work that has come before to allow movement to a new point

parenthesis

a device used to insert an aside or additional information into the main flow of your writing

apostrophe

a rhetorical device in which the writer breaks out of the flow of writing to directly address a person or personified object

conduplicatio

this device takes an important word from anywhere and repeats it at the beginning of the next sentence or phrase

enumeratio

refers to the act of supplying a list of details about something

antanagoge

a way of ordering points to downplay negative points so that the reader feels less strongly about them

epithet

a common stylistic device involving attaching a descriptive adjective to a noun to bring a scene to life or to evoke a particular idea or emotion

asyndeton

the leaving out of conjunctions between items in a list or between clauses

polysyndeton

the putting of a conjunction between every item in a list or between multiple clauses

zeugma

a device in which unexpected items in a sentence are linked together by a shared word ("He fished for trout and compliments.")

synechdoche

a figure of speech in which the writer refers to part of something to represent the whole or vice versa

metonymy

figure of speech in which the writer refers to something closely related to the actual object

hyperbaton

a device in which you arrange the words in your sentence in an unexpected order

aporia

a device a writer will use to express doubt about an idea

anaphora

a device in which the writer repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences

epistrophe

a device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the end of multiple clauses or sentences

sympolce

a device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences AND the same word is repeated at the end of multiple clauses or sentences

amplification

in this device, writers repeat something they've just said, while adding more detail and information to the original description

personification

the act of giving human attributes to something that is non-human

parataxis

this device involves listing a series of clauses with no conjunctions

hyperbole usage, warnings, etc

makes a point strongly. makes the reader snap to attention and focus. demonstrates the difference between 2 things. caution: it is overused and can weaken writing if it is not used carefully. do not use to avoid using actual figures or facts.

understatement usage, warnings, etc

demonstrates the power of an event of ideas-the concept is so self-explanatory, you can add nothing. repeated use can calm the reader-emphasis comes when you add/reveal-drive the point home. can be used to humorous effect. caution: oversimplifying is bad, so this can be good!

litotes usage, warnings, etc

can be combined with understatement for emphasis (makes the writer not seem arrogant). allows the reader to say what isn't true without committing as strongly to what is true.

antithesis usage, warnings, etc

since human's love of organization and categories, this can be helpful. it can be built by contrasting different parts of a statement. sentence structure can be identical but uses opposing words. entire clauses can be changed to contrast one another. whole sentences can oppose one another in a paragraph. using alliteration when using this strategy can be effective. this form can point out fine distinctions of the topic/issue.

hypophora usage, warnings, etc

can be used to start a paragraph. used to anticipate questions or concerns you think your reader may raise. helps your readers with info they don't know without forcing it on them. can bring up numbered point. can be implied.

rhetorical question usage, warnings, etc

you must have a purpose for using this-not just laziness. makes the reader pause for thought. drives your point home with gusto. needs a simple yes or no or one-thought answer. not ambiguous. caution: best reserved for only crucial points. overuse weakens writing.

procatelepsis usage, warnings, etc

tackle likely, common, or troubling objections head on. can be used if you don't have an answer to the objection-honest and humble. come up with own arguments to bolster your point. have a type of person who objects (not a straw man). caution: too many objections and maybe your point isn't worth arguing.

distinctio usage, warnings, etc

tells the reader exactly what you mean. can be used to handle hotly debated words. can be used with the phrases, "which is to say" or "by which i mean". the material you add using this device can be put in parenthesis.

simile usage, warnings, etc

this device conjures up strong imagery, as opposed to conveying strong emotional or psychological truth of the subject being compared.

metaphor usage, warnings, etc

speaks poetically, but shouldn't be viewed only as a stylistic device. it can help your reader see something as you want them to see it-to convey not jus the literal truth of a thing, but the emotional or psychological truth of it as well.

analogy usage, warnings, etc

the most useful form of this is when a simple argument is substituted for a more complex argument. this may also be used to further elaborate on a point. different from simile and metaphor because it is more persuasive as opposed to image-creating.

allusion usage, warnings, etc

when using these, you should keep your target audience in mind. this is used as a short cut to help your reader understand what you are talking about. you want to make sure your pop-culture references do not tie you to a particular era. you need to make sure your reader is familiar with your reference.

eponym usage, warnings, etc

should be used sparingly, but can transform a description of a mundane person to something with more of a punch.

sententia usage, warnings, etc

this device is best used to sum up what you've been talking about in the preceding paragraph. it is most effective when it is short.

exemplum usage, warnings, etc

some of the strongest of these are drawn from the real world. make sure you have correct facts, though. a good one of these should support your point in a way that seems natural.

climax usage, warnings, etc

this should be very distinctive and clear to your reader. if it is somewhat obscured, it suggests that the writer did not organize his/her ideas well.

parallelism usage, warnings, etc

this device gives your writing unity and a sense of overall cohesion, keeping it balanced and intentional throughout.

chiasmus usage, warnings, etc

this device is stylistically more ornate than standard parallelism and involves an inversion of what is expected.

anadiplosis usage, warnings, etc

this device, like conduplicatio, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.

conduplicatio usage, warnings, etc

this device, like anadiplosis, helps emphasize a certain word and can build a hypnotic rhythm for emotional appeal.

metabasis usage, warnings, etc

this organizational device usually takes the form of a sentence or series of sentences, summing up key points. it is a sign of transition.

parenthesis usage, warnings, etc

use commas in formal and academic writing; dashes to jolt the reader and for less formal writing. this device is used to place a bit of information into the text to help your reader better understand.

apostrophe usage, warnings, etc

this device should not be confused with the punctuation mark of the same name. it is a forceful emotional device, and you will likely find this device in informal contexts like creative writing and persuasive essays that lean heavily on emotional strength.

enumeratio usage, warnings, etc

this device may be effectively combined with hypophora as an introduction. it is a good way to lend some force to a concept, while at the same time giving you a functional way to explain it in greater depth.

antanagoge usage, warnings, etc

make sure you phrase statements of this nature in such a way that your reader can see the benefits outweigh the const of the subject you are discussing. make sure you juxtapose/arrange the positive and negative ideas in such a way that your point outweighs the arguments for it.

epithet usage, warnings, etc

although these can be beautiful and add a great deal to your writing, there are a couple of things to watch for when using them: clichés, overuse of them in general, and making sure they make sense and are logical.

asyndeton usage, warnings, etc

this device can be used for many reasons. when there are only two items, the second one can clarify the first one. it can indicate that the list was spontaneous or not quite finished.

polysyndeton usage, warnings, etc

the effect of the use of this device is increasing urgency and power with almost a hypnotic rhythm forming quite quickly.

zeugma usage, warnings, etc

the most common method of this device is to eliminate the repetition of a verb. another way this device is used is to postpone introducing the verb until the end, or near the end of the sentence. it is a great way to force strong connections between different parts of your sentence.

synechdoche usage, warnings, etc

like metonymy, this form is versatile, having a lot of stylistic flair, but when you use this, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use as a code or symbol for a different term. the trick, of course, is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say.

metonymy usage, warnings, etc

like synecdoche, this form is versatile, having a lot of stylistic flair, but when you use this, you are basically assuming that your reader will recognize whatever term you use as a code or symbol for a different term. the trick, of course, is to make sure that there is no confusion about what you are trying to say.

hyperbaton usage, warnings, etc

this device is a but tricky because there is no good way to explain why some uses seem to work, while others sounds awful. the best advice is to try them and err on the side of caution. if you start sounding like yoda, have taken it too far, you have.

aporia usage, warnings, etc

common in political discourse, this device may be used to seem to address a point, while actually dismissing it. rather than ignore the criticism or common questions, which can weaken an argument, a writer may use this device to acknowledge the criticism, but then move on without any discussion of it. overall, when you smell this device, you may be smelling a rat.

anaphora usage, warnings, etc

this form is simple and obvious and should be easy to recognize. when the author uses this device, he/she is planting flags of concepts he/she wants the reader to especially note. this form is commonly used to build a sense of climax.

epistrophe usage, warnings, etc

this form is simple and obvious and should be easy to recognize. when the author uses this device, he/she is planting flags of concepts he/she wants the reader to especially note. in this sense, the phrase becomes much like a punctuation mark, which the reader can expect to find each time.

symploce usage, warnings, etc

this form is simple and obvious and should be easy to recognize. when the author uses this device, he/she is planting flags of concepts he/she wants the reader to especially note. the total parallelism of this device creates a feeling of completion as well as emphasis.

amplification usage, warnings, etc

the main point of this device is to focus the reader's attention on an idea that he/she might otherwise miss. the purpose of this device is not to inform, but to add emphasis.

personification usage, warnings, etc

the best examples of this device are immediately understood without resorting to familiar clichés.

parataxis usage, warnings, etc

use of this device implies a sense of immediacy, indication multiple things happening at once. often it is used to set a scene. it may also imply a series of events or moods to the reader without spelling them out.