Common Rhetorical Devices

Alliteration

the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

Anadiplosis

repetition of prominent and usually the last word in one phrase or clause at the beginning of the next

Anaphora

repetition of a word expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect

Antanaclasis

the repetition of a word within a phrase or sentence in which the second occurrence utilizes a different and sometimes contrary meaning from the first

Antiphrasis

the usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings

Antonomasia

the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class (such as a Soloman for a wise ruler) OR the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name (such as the Bard for Shakespeare)

Apophasis

the raising of an issue by claiming not to mention it

Chiasmus

an inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases

Epistrophe

repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for the rhetorical or poetic effect

Hyperbole

extravagant exaggeration

Hypophora

the putting or answering of an objection or argument against the speaker’s contention

Meiosis

the presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect

Metonymy

a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated

Oxymoron

a combination of contradictory or incongruous words

Synecdoche

a figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole

Zeugma

the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one