Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical device- Techniques used to persuade us to believe an argument

• All rhetorical devices use diction (word choice) in the attempt to persuade. 

• Ethos

Convinces you due to credibility 

An author is meant to be seen as an authority figure on the given subject. 

• Logos

“Logic”

Convinces you by use of logic and reason

Wants you to feel like their argument is the only logical conclusion. 

• Pathos

“Emotion”

Convinces you by appealing to your emotions and sense of humanity.

Meant to make you feel almost bad or guilty if you don't agree.

• Allusion

A reference with which the author believes most people will be familiar.

Ex: “the company was going down like the titanic.”

Ex: most of the jokes on family guy 

• Anecdote

Short, amusing, or interesting story about a real incident or person

Meant to make the author relatable to us.

ex:”When I was a junior in high school, ...”

• Antithesis

Also called “juxtaposing.” 

Presenting contrasting ideas side by side

Meant to make the idea stand out

Ex”give me liberty, or give me death.”

• Metaphor

• Simile 

• Parallelism

Similar grammatical structures used to make materials easier to follow and understand.

ex:”Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.” - T.S. Eliot 

adjective +noun + verb: adjective + noun + verb

• Rhetorical question 

Question here: an answer is not expected.

Meant to point out the obvious 

Ex: “ You don’t think we should study for that huge test that is worth half our grade do you?”

• Repetition

Repeating the same words or phrases

Meant to make the material “stick” in our minds.

Ex: “When all seems to be lost, we must fight. When obstacles seem insurmountable, we must fight.” - Patrick Henry 

• Anaphora

The repetition of the first part of a sentence

Also meant to make the material “Stick” in our minds