Rhetorical Devices

Repetition of a term in the beginning of each sentence: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets.”

Anaphora

Uses parallel structures to show 2 opposing ideas: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

Antithesis

Uses understatements and negates the opposite of the intended meaning: “Not the most honest”

Litotes

Substitutes a concept with an object associated with it: “The pen is mightier than the sword”

Metonymy

Uses verbs one after another, creates emphasis and a fast-paced effect: “I came, I saw, I conquered”

Asyndeton

Uses multiple conjunctions closely with “and” or “but” between each phrase, slows the pace and emphasizes an action: “And the rain fell, and the wind blew, and the lightning flashed, and the thunder roared“

Polysyndeton

Creates sentences with identical structure: “The transition from war to peace is a difficult road, a winding path, and a steep climb.”

Parallelism

Uses two contradicting ideas that have underlying truth and are valid: “Nobody visits that restaurant because it’s too crowded.”

Paradox

Uses two contradicting words next to each other: “Deafening silence”, “Bittersweet”

Oxymoron

Type of metaphor when a part/portion of an object is used to represent the whole object: “I need a hundred hands to finish this project” (hands = workers)

Synecdoche

Reverses order of words in parallel phrases and follows A-B-B-A pattern, creates memorability and emphasis: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country“

Chiasmus