Rhetorical Devices

19 Rhetorical Devices Practice

Hypophora

A rhetorical device where the speaker poses a question and immediately answers it. (Example: Why choose this path? Because it’s the best way forward.)

Simile

A comparison between two different things using 'like,' 'as,' or 'seems.' (Example: Her smile was as bright as the sun.)

Metaphor

A direct comparison of two different things by describing one as the other. (Example: Eyes are the windows to the soul.)

Puns

Play on words that exploit multiple meanings or similar-sounding words. (Example: The pigs were a squeal. Johnny B. Good / Johnny, be good.)

Zeugma

Using one verb for two or more objects in different ways.  (Example: She lost her shoe, and her virginity, at the party.)

Personification

Giving human traits to non-human things. (Example: "The ground thirsts for rain.")

Hyperbole

Intentional exaggeration for emphasis. (Example: His shout could split rocks.)

Onomatopoeia

Words that mimic their sounds. (Examples: Buzz, click, rattle, squish, snap.)

Parallelism

Using similar grammatical structures for balance. (Example: To communicate is to speak, to pause, and to listen.)

Chiasmus

Reversing words in two phrases for impact. (Example: "Your manuscript is good and original; but the good part is not original, and the original part is not good.")

Antithesis

Contrasting ideas presented in close proximity. (Example: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.")

Asyndeton

Omitting conjunctions for a dramatic effect. (Example: He was tall, dark, handsome.)

Alliteration

Repeating initial sounds or letters. (Example: "Take thee that too, a heavy summons lies like lead upon me" – Macbeth.)

Anaphora

Repeating words at the beginning of successive phrases or sentences. (Example: "We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground" – Abraham Lincoln.)

Tricolon

Grouping ideas or phrases into threes. (Example: "Never in the history of human endeavor has so much been owed by so many to so few" – Winston Churchill.)

Conduplicatio

Repeating a key word from a previous phrase or sentence. (Example: "Good evening. This afternoon, in this room, from this chair, I testified before the Office of Independent Council and the Grand Jury. I answered their questions truthfully, including questions about my private life -- questions no American citizen would ever want to answer.")

Polysyndeton

Using multiple conjunctions for emphasis. (Example: The table was laden with beef and pork and lamb and fish and vegetables and fruits.)

Scesis Onomatón

Repeating synonyms or equivalent phrases for effect. (Example: "A chance, an opportunity, a fair shake.")

Anadiplosis

Repeating the last word of one clause at the start of the next. (Example: "Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.")