The Purpose of Rhetoric and

Rhetorical Devices

What is rhetoric?

Rhetoric is the art of speaking and writing

It’s aim is to: Persuade Inform Express a personal thought Entertain the reader

Using rhetorical devices

Use them to help strengthen the strategy of your paper Some are transitional tools Some are meant to help you present your

evidence or information as strongly as possible

Some link the entire essay together, making it cohesive and intentional▪ This characteristic produces higher scores on

standardized tests (AP, SAT, etc.)

Use Rhetorical Devices:

To enhance style Conveys your personality Can mean the difference between a

“blah” essay and a memorable essay Produces powerful effects

What rhetorical devices do you need to know?

allusion analogy anaphora asyndeton hyperbole loaded words metaphor parallelism personification polysyndeton repetition rhetorical question simile symbolism

Allusion

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers.

Example: “This place is like a Garden of Eden.”–This is a biblical allusion to the “garden of

God” in the Book of Genesis.

Effect: allows writers to simplify complex ideas and emotions by comparing them to a familiar topic they’ve heard referenced.

Analogy

A comparison between two different “things” in order to highlight some point of similarity

What is the difference between analogy and metaphor? ▪ An analogy does not claim total identification,

like a metaphor does. Analogy claims a similarity of relationships. (Bradford Stull, The Elements of Figurative Language ) 

Example: The human eye is similar to a camera. It has a lens and can focus on objects both near and far.

Effect: To simplify a complex argument or concept for an audience

Anaphora

 the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Example: "We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."(Winston Churchill, speech to the House of Commons, June 4, 1940)

Effect: To emphasize an emotion or a point

Asyndeton

A writing style that omits conjunctions (and, or, etc.) between words, phrases, or clauses

Example: "He was a bag of bones, a floppy doll, a broken stick, a maniac."(Jack Kerouac, On the Road, 1957)

Effect: it suggests the series is somehow incomplete; it can also make all elements seem equally important, and it can quicken the pace of prose

Hyperbole

An exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis

Example: I haven’t seen you in ages! I was buried in homework!

Effect: can be used for humor or to make a point about an idea

Loaded Words

Using words that carry a positive or negative emotional impact

Examples: Beautiful - Unpatriotic Young - Fat Protect - Bankrupting

Effect: When language is "loaded", it is loaded with emotions. A loaded word is like a loaded gun, and its connotation is the bullet.

Metaphor

An implied or hidden comparison between two things or objects that are quite different from each other but have some characteristics common between them

Example: My room was a disaster area. My son is a tornado.

Effect: to appeal directly to the senses of listeners or readers, to enhance imagination, to simplify complex ideas, offer new ways of viewing the world

Parallelism

Parallelism in writing refers to balance and equality of grammatical structures and placement.

Example: Not parallel: I enjoy long walks on the beach,

eating gourmet food, and to stargaze on a clear night.

Parallel: I enjoy taking long walks on the beach, eating gourmet food, and stargazing on a clear night.

Effect: To emphasize points and enhance flow

Personification

Giving human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

Example: “Oreo: milk’s favorite cookie”

Effect: To promote understanding

Examples

Polysyndeton

The use of a number of conjunctions (and, or, etc.) to separate words, phrases, clauses or sentences.

Example: “We lived and laughed and loved and left.”

-James Joyce, Finnegan's Wake

Effect: To establish rhythm and to emphasize the ideas the conjunctions connect.

Repetition

Repeating the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer.

Example: I was glad it was raining so hard, because it

made it easy to cry. I cried and cried and cried, and the whole time I was calling for Winn-Dixie.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Effect: stylistically appealing and helps convey the message in much more engaging and notable way.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked solely to produce effect; does not require a reply

Example: “Why are people so annoying sometimes?” “Should you really be eating a bacon

double cheeseburger while on your diet?”

Effect: Guides readers to an obvious answer that supports writer’s argument

Simile

Shows similarities between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, a simile draws resemblance with the help of words “like” or “as.”

Example: “I would have given anything for the power to soothe her

frail soul, tormenting itself in its invincible ignorance like a small bird beating about the cruel wires of a cage.” (Joseph Conrad, “Lord Jim”)

Effect: attracts reader’s attention and appeals directly to the senses/imagination of listeners or readers

Symbolism

the use of symbols to show ideas and qualities by having them represent meanings that are different from their literal sense.

Example: Black is often used to represent something bad, such as death or evil, and white often represents something that is good and pure

Effect: gives a writer freedom to add double levels of meanings to his work: a literal one that is self-evident and the symbolic one whose meaning is far more profound than the literal one.