Rhetorical DevicesRhetorical Devices

AlliterationAlliteration Repetition of the initial consonant sounds beginning several Repetition of the initial consonant sounds beginning several

words in sequence. words in sequence.     "....we shall not falter, we shall not fail."   "....we shall not falter, we shall not fail."  

(President (President G.W. BushG.W. Bush Address to Congress following 9- Address to Congress following 9-11-01 Terrorist Attacks.)11-01 Terrorist Attacks.)

    "Let us go forth to lead the land we love.“"Let us go forth to lead the land we love.“ (President (President J. F. KennedyJ. F. Kennedy, Inaugural 1961), Inaugural 1961)

"Veni, vidi, vici.“"Veni, vidi, vici.“ (Julius Caesar  - “I came, I saw, I conquered”)(Julius Caesar  - “I came, I saw, I conquered”)

AnaphoraAnaphora The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of

successive phrases, clauses or lines. successive phrases, clauses or lines.

""We shall We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We We shallshall fight in France, fight in France, we shallwe shall fight on the seas and fight on the seas and oceans, oceans, we shallwe shall fight with growing confidence and fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, growing strength in the air, we shall we shall defend our island, defend our island, whatever the cost may be, whatever the cost may be, we shall we shall fight on the fight on the beaches, beaches, we shallwe shall fight on the landing grounds, fight on the landing grounds, we shallwe shall fight in the fields and in the streets, fight in the fields and in the streets, we shallwe shall fight in the fight in the hills. hills. We shallWe shall never surrender." never surrender."

(British Prime Minister Winston Churchill)(British Prime Minister Winston Churchill)

AntithesisAntithesis

Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. balanced or parallel construction.

""Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."(Barry Goldwater - Republican Candidate for (Barry Goldwater - Republican Candidate for President 1964)President 1964)

"Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more". Rome more". (Brutus in:  " Julius Caesar" by William (Brutus in:  " Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare)Shakespeare)

ApostropheApostrophe A turn from the general audience to address a specific A turn from the general audience to address a specific

group or person or personified abstraction absent or group or person or personified abstraction absent or present. present.

"For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel."For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel.Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him". Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him". (Mark Antony in (Mark Antony in Julius CaesarJulius Caesar - - William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare))

AsyndetonAsyndeton Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses,

or words. or words.

"We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardships, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure hardships, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."the survival and the success of liberty."  ((J. F. KennedyJ. F. Kennedy, Inaugural), Inaugural)

"But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.“consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.“

      ((President Abraham LincolnPresident Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address), Gettysburg Address)

CacophonyCacophony Harsh joining of sounds Harsh joining of sounds

"We want no parlay with you and your grisly gang who "We want no parlay with you and your grisly gang who work your wicked will."work your wicked will."  ((British Prime Minister Winston Churchill British Prime Minister Winston Churchill -referring -referring to Hitler.)to Hitler.)

““A toad the power mower caught, A toad the power mower caught, Chewed and clipped of a leg, with a hobbling hop has Chewed and clipped of a leg, with a hobbling hop has got”got”

("The Death of a Toad" by Richard Wilbur)("The Death of a Toad" by Richard Wilbur)

ChiasmusChiasmus Two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels (A-B-A-B) Two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels (A-B-A-B)

but in inverted order (A-B-B-A); from shape of the Greek but in inverted order (A-B-B-A); from shape of the Greek letter chi (X). letter chi (X).

"Those gallant men will "Those gallant men will remain often in my thoughtsremain often in my thoughts and and in in my prayers always.my prayers always.""       ( (General Douglas MacArthurGeneral Douglas MacArthur))

""Renown'dRenown'd    for conquestfor conquest, and in , and in council skill'dcouncil skill'd."."       ( (Marcus Tullius CiceroMarcus Tullius Cicero))

ClimaxClimax Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of

ascending power. Often the last emphatic word in one ascending power. Often the last emphatic word in one phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of the next. the next.

"One equal temper of heroic hearts,"One equal temper of heroic hearts,Made weak by time and fate, but strong in willMade weak by time and fate, but strong in willTo strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.""        (        (TennysonTennyson, " Ulysses"), " Ulysses")

EuphemismEuphemism Euphemism:: substitution of an agreeable or at least non- substitution of an agreeable or at least non-

offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant. be harsh or unpleasant.

Examples:   Euphemisms for " stupid"Examples:   Euphemisms for " stupid"

A few fries short of a Happy Meal.A few fries short of a Happy Meal.

A few beers short of a six-pack.A few beers short of a six-pack.

One Fruit Loop shy of a full bowl.One Fruit Loop shy of a full bowl.

All foam, no beer.All foam, no beer.

The cheese slid off his cracker.The cheese slid off his cracker.

HyperboleHyperbole Exaggeration for emphasis or for rhetorical effect. Exaggeration for emphasis or for rhetorical effect.

"If you call me that name again, I'm going to explode!" "If you call me that name again, I'm going to explode!" ““I nearly died laughing.”I nearly died laughing.”

(Verbal) Irony(Verbal) Irony Expression of something which is contrary to the intended Expression of something which is contrary to the intended

meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. meaning; the words say one thing but mean another.

““Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;And Brutus is an honourable man. “And Brutus is an honourable man. “               (Shakespeare's (Shakespeare's Mark Antony in Mark Antony in Julius Caesar)Julius Caesar)

MetaphorMetaphor Implied comparison achieved through a figurative use of Implied comparison achieved through a figurative use of

words; the word is used not in its literal sense, but in one words; the word is used not in its literal sense, but in one analogous to it. analogous to it.     **Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. " That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. " (Shakespeare(Shakespeare, , MacbethMacbeth ) )

    ““From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an

iron curtain has descended across the continent.”iron curtain has descended across the continent.”  ((W. ChurchillW. Churchill))

OxymoronOxymoron Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words

which seem to contradict one another. which seem to contradict one another.

““I must be cruel only to be kind.“I must be cruel only to be kind.“

((ShakespeareShakespeare, , HamletHamlet))

              "Hurts so good…“"Hurts so good…“

(John Cougar Melancamp)(John Cougar Melancamp)

  “  “Jumbo Shrimp”Jumbo Shrimp”

ParadoxParadox An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that

may yet have some truth in it.may yet have some truth in it.

““What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young."

((George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw))

PersonificationPersonification

Attribution of personality to an impersonal thing.Attribution of personality to an impersonal thing.

““England expects every man to do his duty." England expects every man to do his duty." ((Lord NelsonLord Nelson))

The rose was a soft as a baby's skinThe rose was a soft as a baby's skin

"Rise up and defend the "Rise up and defend the Motherland"Motherland"  (Line from "Enemy at the Gates“)  (Line from "Enemy at the Gates“)

SimileSimile An explicit comparison between two things using 'like' or An explicit comparison between two things using 'like' or

'as'. 'as'.

““My love is as a fever, longing stillMy love is as a fever, longing stillFor that which longer nurseth the disease" For that which longer nurseth the disease"

            ((ShakespeareShakespeare, Sonnet CXLVII) , Sonnet CXLVII)    

““Reason is to faith as the eye to the telescope" Reason is to faith as the eye to the telescope"             ((D. Hume)D. Hume)

    ““Let us go then, you and I,Let us go then, you and I,

While the evening is spread out against the sky,While the evening is spread out against the sky,Like a patient etherized upon a table" Like a patient etherized upon a table"

                ((T.S. EliotT.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”) , “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”)

AphorismsAphorisms

A concise statement that expresses A concise statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, succinctly a general truth or idea, often using rhyme or balanceoften using rhyme or balance

Ex: Jerome Kern's famous aphorism Ex: Jerome Kern's famous aphorism "Irving Berlin has no place in "Irving Berlin has no place in American music - he is American American music - he is American music"music"

PunsPuns

a humorous use of words that a humorous use of words that involves a word or phrase that has involves a word or phrase that has more than one possible meaningmore than one possible meaning

Ex: She had a photographic memory Ex: She had a photographic memory but never developed it.but never developed it.

AbsolutesAbsolutes

A word free from limitations or A word free from limitations or qualifications (“best,” “all,” “unique,” qualifications (“best,” “all,” “unique,” “perfect”)“perfect”)

AnachronismsAnachronisms

something from a different period of something from a different period of timetime

Ex: a modern idea or invention Ex: a modern idea or invention wrongly placed in a historical setting wrongly placed in a historical setting in fiction or dramain fiction or drama

Rhetorical questionRhetorical question

A question asked merely for A question asked merely for rhetorical effect and not requiring an rhetorical effect and not requiring an answeranswer

Ex: Ex: “The actors played the roles well. Didn’t they?”

LitotesLitotes

A type of understatement in which A type of understatement in which an idea is expressed by negating its an idea is expressed by negating its opposite (describing a particularly opposite (describing a particularly horrific scene by saying, “It was not a horrific scene by saying, “It was not a pretty picture.”)pretty picture.”)

ImperativeImperative

Used for giving ordersUsed for giving orders describes the mood or a form of a describes the mood or a form of a

verb that expresses a command or verb that expresses a command or requestrequest

Ex: the verb form "come" in "Come Ex: the verb form "come" in "Come here!"here!"

EthosEthos

How the speaker establishes his or How the speaker establishes his or her authority or the source’s her authority or the source’s credibilitycredibility

LogosLogos

The logic used to support a claim. It The logic used to support a claim. It can also be facts and statistics used can also be facts and statistics used to help support the argument.to help support the argument.

PathosPathos

The emotional or motivational appealThe emotional or motivational appeal Uses vivid language, emotional Uses vivid language, emotional

langauge, and numerous sensory langauge, and numerous sensory detailsdetails

ConceitConceit

A fanciful, particularly clever A fanciful, particularly clever extended metaphorextended metaphor

ExEx: : Shakespeare makes use of a conceit in Act 3, Scene 5 of his play “Romeo and Juliet”. Capulet comes to Juliet’s room after Romeo has left. He finds her weeping and says:

“Thou counterfeit’st a bark, a sea, a wind;For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea,Do ebb and flow with tears; the bark thy body is,Sailing in this salt flood; the winds, thy sighs;Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them,Without a sudden calm, will oversetThy tempest-tossed body.”

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

A word formed from the imitation of A word formed from the imitation of natural soundsnatural sounds

Ex: "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a Ex: "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is." relief it is."

EllipsisEllipsis

The omission of a word or phrase The omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced from the context can be deduced from the context

Ex: “Some people prefer cats; others, Ex: “Some people prefer cats; others, dogs.”dogs.”

SynecdocheSynecdoche

Using one part of an object to Using one part of an object to represent the entire objectrepresent the entire object

Ex: Referring to a car simply as Ex: Referring to a car simply as “wheels”“wheels”

JuxtapositionJuxtaposition

Placing two elements side by side to Placing two elements side by side to represent a comparison or contrastrepresent a comparison or contrast

Ex: It was the best of times, it was the Ex: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness - A Tales of was the season of Darkness - A Tales of Two Cities by Charles DickensTwo Cities by Charles Dickens

AllusionAllusion

A reference to something literary, A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the mythological, or historical that the author assumes the reader will author assumes the reader will recognize.recognize.

Ex: “I was surprised his nose was not Ex: “I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.” This refers to growing like Pinocchio’s.” This refers to the story of Pinocchio, where his nose the story of Pinocchio, where his nose grew whenever he told a lie. It is from grew whenever he told a lie. It is from The Adventures of PinocchioThe Adventures of Pinocchio, written by , written by Carlo Collodi. Carlo Collodi. 

SoliloquySoliloquy

The act of speaking while alone, The act of speaking while alone, especially when used as a theatrical especially when used as a theatrical device that allows a character's device that allows a character's thoughts and ideas to be conveyed thoughts and ideas to be conveyed to the audienceto the audience

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

The presentation of material in such The presentation of material in such a way that the reader is prepared for a way that the reader is prepared for what is to come later in the work.what is to come later in the work.

Ex: Ex: In John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men”, George killing Candy’s dog foreshadows Candy killing Lennie because Candy is identical to George and Lennie to the dog.

Work CitedWork Cited

Tomlinson, James. Tomlinson, James. Rhetorical Devices. Rhetorical Devices. http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/jtomlins/rhetorical_devices.htm#top. 6/29/2006. 6/29/2006