Rhetorical Devices

Tone

The author's attitude towards a subject or audience conveyed through their writing. Example: The tone of the article was sarcastic and critical.

Mood

The emotional atmosphere or feeling created in a work of literature. Example: The mood of the poem was melancholic and somber.

Diction

The choice and use of words and phrases in writing or speech. Example: The author's diction was formal and academic.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. Example: The sentence had a complex syntax with several subordinate clauses.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms in a single phrase. Example: "Jumbo shrimp" is an oxymoron.

Paradox

A statement that contradicts itself but may contain a hidden truth. Example: "This statement is false" is a paradox.

Understatement

A figure of speech that intentionally represents something as less significant or serious than it really is. Example: "I just won a small lottery prize" when in fact the prize was a significant amount of money.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis or effect. Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Epistrophe

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Example: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child."

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. Example: "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets."

Alliteration

The repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence. Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."

Assonance

The repetition of the same vowel sound in nearby words. Example: "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain."

Personification

A figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-human things or ideas. Example: "The wind howled angrily."

Anthropomorphism

The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to animals or objects. Example: The cartoon character Mickey Mouse.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two contrasting things together for effect. Example: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Antithesis

The use of contrasting ideas, words, or phrases within a parallel grammatical structure. Example: "To be or not to be."

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered to be too harsh or blunt. Example: "Passed away" instead of "died."

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or the whole is used to represent a part. Example: "Do you like my new wheels” where “wheels” refers to your car.

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another word or phrase with which it is closely associated. Example: "The crown of Britain” meaning the British Queen/King.

Symbol

A person, place, thing, or idea that represents something beyond its literal meaning. Example: The American flag represents the values and ideals of the United States.

Allegory

A narrative or description in which characters, events, or settings represent abstract concepts or moral qualities. Example: George Orwell's Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect, with no answer expected. Example: "Are you kidding

Adage/Maxim/Aphorism

A short, memorable saying that expresses a general truth or practical advice, often based on experience or wisdom. Example: "Actions speak louder than words."

Parallelism

The repetition of grammatically similar structures or patterns of words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence or passage to create a sense of rhythm or balance. Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Analogy

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification

Motif

A recurring element, idea, or symbol in a work of art or literature

Allusion

A reference to a well-known person, place, or thing. Example: "He was a real Romeo with the ladies," alluding to the romantic character from Shakespeare's play.

Antithesis

A rhetorical device that involves a contrast of two opposing ideas or phrases in a balanced grammatical structure. Example: "To be, or not to be: that is the question."