Rhetorical Devices

Allegory

Allegory

A story that contains an ______ usually has a double meaning. Often, the literal meaning is designed to entertain the reader, whilst the underlying ______ meaning has a profound message or social commentary that the author wants to portray. The _______ meaning usually deals with moral truth or a generalization about human existence. Example: Animal Farm

Alliteration

The repetition of sounds, especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words. Although the term is not frequently in the multiple choice section, you can look for _______ in any essay passage. The repetition can reinforce meaning, unify ideas, supply a musical sound, and/or echo the sense of the passage. Example: She sells seashells...

Allusion

A direct or indirect reference to something which is commonly known and familiar, such as an event, book, myth, place, or work of art. _______ can be historical, literary, religious, topical, or mythical. There are many more possibilities, and a work may simultaneously use multiple layers of _______. Example: Lord of the Flies is a biblical _______

Ambiguity

Occurs when something is open to more than one interpretation and relies on context. (Note that _______ is not the same as vagueness, which refers to a situation in which no interpretation can be successfully drawn because the information given is not clear enough.) Example: consider the short phrase, “I read the book.” This sentence alone could refer to the present or the past, as the word “read” in English is spelled the same way in the present and past tenses. However, if we change the sentence to “I read the book when I was 7,” that clears up the _______ and places the context in the past tense.

Amplification

Repeating an important word or phrase while adding more details and examples to it each time; extending a sentence or phrase in order to further explain, emphasize, or exaggerate certain points of a definition, description, or argument. Example: Imagine you are at a doctor’s office because you have been feeling sick. Your doctor asks, “What brings you here today?” Normal Sentence: I think I’m getting sick. Once again, more information is needed in order to help the doctor understand the problem. Sentence using ________: I think I’m getting sick—I’ve been experiencing terrible headaches and drainage, and I’ve just begun to develop a sore throat as well. _________ serves to specify with more information and detail.

Anaphora

A type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences. Example: MLK used _______ in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech (1963). Through this repetition of the title, he is able to portray what he envisions as a racially equal America.

Anecdote

A brief recounting of a relevant episode based on personal experience; often included in fiction and nonfiction texts as a way of developing a point or to inject humor. Example: Picture a mother and a father discussing whether or not to get a dog for the family. The father says: You know, when I was a kid, my dog was my best friend. My childhood was better because of him. The mother contemplates his story—a.k.a. his _______ and then agrees that they should get a dog.

Antithesis

The opposition or contrast of ideas; the direct opposite. Example: That’s one small step for a man – one giant leap for mankind. (Neil Armstrong, 1969) In this example, Armstrong is referring to man walking on the moon. Although taking a step is an ordinary activity for most people, taking a step on the moon, in outer space, is a major achievement for all humanity.

Assonance

Is the repetition of vowel sounds, which creates rhyme. Example: “the black cat had the rat’s bag;” “how now brown cow?”

Consonance

The repetition of a consonant sound at the middle or end of a word. Example: “the cook broke his back;” “the duck struck some luck.”

Asyndeton

Skipping one or more conjunctions (and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet) which are usually used in a series of phrases. Example: Julius Caesar used ________ when he famously wrote, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” or “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Chiasmus

Grammatical structure when the first clause or phrase is reversed in the second, sometimes repeating the same words. Example: “And so, my fellow Americans, ask now what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Colloquial/Colloquialism

The use of sland or informalities in speech or writing. Not generally acceptable for formal writing, _______ give a work conversational, familiar tone. Example: ________ expressions in writing include local or regional dialects. “Swag” “ain’t” “simp”

Connotation

The non-literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning. _________ may involve ideas, emotions, or attitudes. Childish, childlike, young, youthful Example: “This clothing is affordable!” versus “This clothing is cheap!” Here, “affordable” sounds much better than “cheap,” because the word cheap also implies low quality.

Denotation

The strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color. Example: the _________ of a knife would be a utensil used to cut; the connotation of a knife might be fear, violence, anger, foreboding, etc

Diction

Related to style, ________ refers to the writer's word choices, especially with regard to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness. A writer's _____ can be formal or informal, ornate or plain in order to complement the author's purpose. ________, combined with syntax, figurative language, literary devices, etc., creates an author's style. Example: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4) The King James Bible has a very distinctive ______, using words like “yea” and “thy.” Many of these terms were fairly standard at the time the King James version was originally written, but nonetheless, they are easily recognizable today as “biblical” ______.

Didactic

From Greek, _______ literary means "teaching." _______ words have the primary aim of teaching or instructing, especially the teaching of moral or ethical principles. Example: textbooks, recipe books, fables, parables, and instructional manuals.

Epistrophe

When a certain phrase or word is repeated at the end of sentences of clauses that follow each other. Example 1: Last week, he was just fine. Yesterday, he was just fine. And today, he was just fine. The repetition of “he was just fine” serves to emphasize that the state of this person has not changed over time. Example 2: I’m tired of this job. I’m over this job. I’m done with this job! The repetition of “this job” emphasizes that the job is the cause of the speaker’s frustration.

Euphemism

From the Greek for "good speech," _______ are a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. The _______ may be used to adhere to standards of social or political correctness or to add humor or ironic understatement. Example: "earthly remains" rather that "corpse"

Extended metaphor

A metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work. Example: An author wanting to tell a story about a criminal, might employ an __________ and instead, tell a story about a fox who attacks a farmer’s flock of chickens. The fox would represent the criminal and the chickens would represent the victims.

Hyperbole

A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Often has comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often produces irony. The opposite of understatement. Example: “I haven’t seen you in a million years!” serves to emphasize how long a period of time feels.

Imagery

The sensory details or descriptive language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. Example: The night was black as ever, but bright stars lit up the sky in beautiful and varied constellations which were sprinkled across the astronomical landscape.

Invective

A rhetorical device in which one attacks or insults a person or thing through the use of abusive language and tone. Example: Consider a bully who is harassing someone who is very nervous about talking to his crush. Example 1 Uses of _______ may include: What, are you chicken? You’re afraid of your own shadow! You’re going to be alone forever with that bravery! She’s not interested in you anyway.

Irony/ironic

The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant, or the difference between what appears to be and what is actually true. _______ is often used to create poignancy or humor. In general, there are three major types of ______ used in language. Example: A seagull sitting on top of a “no seagulls” sign. The meaning of the sign is that seagulls are not allowed in the area. The seagull sitting on the sign not only contradicts it, but calls attention to the absurdity of trying to dictate where seagulls may or may not go, which makes us laugh.

Juxtaposition

The placement of two or more things side by side, often in order to bring out their differences. Example: All’s fair in love and war. In this familiar adage, love and war, two opposite concepts, are placed beside one another. The _______ of love and war serves to show that despite how different the two are, both are characterized by a lack of rules or guidelines. Example 2: A butler spends his days in a beautiful mansion dressed in a tuxedo, but returns home to a closet-sized apartment in a rundown part of town. Example 1 __________ two settings: a wealthy person’s mansion and a poor butler’s apartment. Such _________ serves to highlight just how different the butler’s quality of living is from his employer’s.

Litotes

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying the opposite. _______ is the opposite of hyperbole. Example: “Not a bad idea,” “Not many,” “It isn’t very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain” (Salinger, Catcher in the Rye). Function: a way of softening the impact of criticism.

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. __________ language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought-provoking, and meaningful. Example: That football player is really putting the team on his back this evening! Football commentators use this phrase all the time when an entire team appears to be depending on its running back. The image of a single man running hard with a whole football team on his back is an expression of hard work and dedication.

Metonymy

Is a figure of speech in which one object or idea takes the place of another with which it has a close association. In fact, it means "change of name." Example: Hollywood represents associations with the movie industry

Oxymoron

From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an _________ is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. This term does not usually appear in multiple-choice questions, but there is a chance that you might find it in an essay. Take note of the effect that the author achieves with the use of ________. Example: "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness" (turk's examples) “organized mess,” “controlled chaos,” and “same difference.” (internet examples)

Paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. Example: Think of the beginning of Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....”

Parallelism

Also referred to as _______ construction or _______ structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects of _______ are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader’s attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm. Example: The opening of Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities is an example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity....”

Personification

A figure of speech in which the author presents or describes concepts, animals, or inanimate objects by endowing them with human attributes or emotions. ___________ is used to make these abstractions, animals, or objects appear more vivid to the reader. Example: Sometimes the sun smiles, the wind whispers to the trees, and the shadows of the leaves dance in the wind.

Polysyndeton

Uses multiple repetitions of the same conjunction (and, but, if etc.), most commonly the word "and." Including more ________ than necessary between phrases within a sentence. Example: “AND we’re going to South Dakota AND Oregon AND Washington AND Michigan, AND then we’re going to Washington, D.C. to take back the White House!” (Howard Dean, January 2004)

Repetition

The duplication, either exact or approximate, of any element of languages, such as a sound, word, phrase, clause, sentence, or grammatical pattern. (there are many types of ________: anaphora, epistrophe, assonance, consonance, alliteration, etc. While related, each has its own purpose and effect) Example: The big stairs led up to a big house with a big front door. Breathe, breathe, breathe, I told myself. I only have to stay for one second, be afraid for one second, not scream for one second. I can do it. I can win the bet. I can prove I’m brave.

Rhetorical Question

A question that is not asked in order to receive an answer from the audience or reader. It’s only posed to make a point by forcing the audience to think. Example: “What’s the deal with airline food?” This sort of __________ is often asked by standup comedians. They’re not actually asking the audience to answer the question – they’re just setting up a joke or monologue about the subject of airline food.

Sarcasm

From the Greek meaning “to tear flesh,” _______ involves bitter, caustic language that is meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony as a device, but not all ironic statements are _______ (that is, intended to ridicule). When well done, _______ can be witty and insightful; when poorly done, it is simply cruel. Example: Oh yes, you’ve been sooooo helpful. Thanks sooooo much for all your heeeelp.

Satire

A work that targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions for reform or ridicule. Regardless of whether or not the work aims to reform human behavior, ________ is best seen as a style of writing rather than a purpose for writing. It can be recognized by the many devices used effectively by the ________: irony, wit, parody, caricature, hyperbole, understatement, and sarcasm. The effects of _______ are varied, depending on the writer’s goal, but good satire, often humorous, is thought-provoking and insightful about the human condition. Example: Some modern ________ include Joseph Heller (Catch 22) and Kurt Vonnegut (Cat’s Cradle, Player Piano).

Synecdoche

Is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to signify the whole, or vise-versa. In fact, it's derived from the Greek word ______"simultaneous meaning." Example: When the captain of a ship calls, “All hands on deck!” certainly no hands can be seen running across the ship. Rather, the speaker is using _________: allowing a part (hands) to represent the whole (a crew member in the ship).

Syntax

Is the grammatical structure of sentences. The format in which words and phrases are arranged to create sentences is called _______. Example: The boy jumped happily. The boy happily jumped. Happily, the boy jumped. By rearranging just one word in the sentence, a varied ______ is formed. Each is grammatically correct and acceptable in English language form.

Tone

Similar to mood, _______ describes the author’s attitude toward his material, the audience, or both. The ______ is easier to determine in spoken language than in written language. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help identify an author’s _______. Example: playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc.

Understatement

the ironic minimalizing of fact, _________ presents something as less significant than it is. The effect can frequently be humorous and emphatic. ___________ is the opposite of hyperbole. Example: Jonathan Swift’s A Tale of a Tub: “Last week I saw a woman flayed(peel off the skin), and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse.” (turk's example) Example 2: There’s some water in the Atlantic Ocean. This is an __________ because the word “some” does not even begin to describe the billions of gallons of water in the Atlantic Ocean.