Rhetorical Devices and Terms

By Kacey Rigano

PacingPacing is how fast or how slow the writer takes the reader through

the story. Fast pacing will interest the reader more, causing them to want to read for a

longer period of time. Slow pacing will give the

reader large detail of the story, scenery, or

thoughts of the main characters.

Text Examples of Pacing…“And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled

a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house

of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white

shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.” – The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Brett broke free, lurched to his feet, and tackled Gideon

into the side of a bus. Gideon linked his hands and

hammered Brett’s back like a club, forcing Brett to lurch

away. Pressing the advantage, Gideon lashed out with a

roundhouse kick and followed with a lightning-quick jab to

the gut. Brett swung, his powerful biceps bunching with

his fist, but Gideon ducked fluidly and retaliated with an uppercut that snapped Brett’s head back.” – Reflected in You

by Sylvia Day

SarcasmSarcasm is an ironic or satirical remark that seems to be

praising someone or something but is really taunting.

Vocal or physical cues usually are necessary to signal sarcasm. For example, rolling one’s eyes or speaking in a

specific tone.Sarcastic comments are made mockingly, ironically, or bitterly.

Text Examples of Sarcasm…“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from

here?”“That depends a good deal on where you want to go,”

said the Cat.“I don’t much care where–”

said Alice.“Then it doesn’t much

matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

“–so long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as

an explanation.“Oh, you’re sure to do that,”

said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.” -- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

“Open!” My mother shouts with glee.

It’s a bike. A brand new shiny bike that looks vaguely familiar, and now

I’m staring to appreciate the gift Logan tried to give me just a little bit

more. “Wow,” I don’t bother hiding my sarcasm as I circle around it. “A

basket and everything. Golly gee, can I take it to school tomorrow?

Thundershowers are in the forecast for the rest of the week, but I can

make a game of it. You know, dodge the lightning bolt.”

“Very funny.” Tad pulls his lips into a line. “Told you she wouldn’t

appreciate it.” – Wicked by Addison Moore

UnderstatementUnderstatement is a way of speaking to

minimize the importance of

something. A speaker or writer will often employ restraint

when describing a situation and use less emphasis or strength

than expected.

Text Examples of Understatement…

“I’ve got a nice place here,” he said, his eyes flashing

about restlessly.Turning me around by one

arm, he moved a broad flat hand along the front vista,

including in its sweep a sunken Italian garden, a half acre of deep, pungent roses, and a snub-nosed

motor-boat that bumped the tide offshore. – The Great

Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“I see this hath a little dash’d your spirits.” – said by the

villain, Iago, in Shakespeare's Othello.

“The blood was dribbling out of the corner of my mouth. ‘The

artery’s gone,’ I thought. I wondered how long you last

when your carotid artery is cut; not many minutes, presumably.

Everything was very blurry. There must have been about two minutes during which I

assumed that I was killed. And that too was interesting.” --

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

Activity…

“‘I didn’t make that noise,’ said Harry firmly.

Aunt Petunia’s thin, horsy face now appeared beside Uncle Vernon’s wide,

purple one. She looked livid.‘Why were you lurking under our

window?’‘Yes … yes, good point, Petunia! What

were you doing under our window, boy?’‘Listening to the news,’ said Harry in a

resigned voice.His aunt and uncle exchange looks of

outrage.‘Listening to the news! Again?’

‘Well, it changes every day, you see,’ said Harry.” – Harry Potter and The Order of

the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.

Answer:

Sarcasm

“I’ll go with you and I’ll stay with you all the time. They just let the air in and then it’s all

perfectly natural.” – Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemmingway

Answer:

Understatement

“Without another word spoken, Eric’s head flew back when Dillon punched him square in the nose, his blood spewing on Emily’s sweater. With a gasp, Emily’s heart

tripled over in her chest as she watched Eric’s body slump against the wall. Stumbling to his feet, Eric rubbed at his nose for a second and then started

swinging wildly at Dillon.” – Collide by Gail McHugh

PacingAnswer:

Bonus: Fast or Slow pacing?

Fast

Final…Come up with your own slow paced introduction to an

action scene.

Citations:"Understatement Examples and Definition - Literary Devices." Literary

Devices. N.p., 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.“Sarcasm Examples and Definition - Literary Devices." Literary Devices.

N.p., 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015."What Is "Pace", and How Does It Affect Your Story?" Yeah Write -. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015."What Is Narrative Pace? | The Classroom | Synonym." The Classroom.

N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.