Advanced Rhetorical Devices Rhetoric is the art of using language effectively and persuasively. We all use rhetoric on a daily basis. (We just may not call it a fancy name------yet.)

antithesis A figure of speech which refers to the juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas. Brings out of a contrast in ideas by an obvious contrast in the words, clauses, or sentences, within a parallel grammatical structure.

example of antithesis It can't be wrong if it feels so right"

aporia Deliberating with oneself as though in doubt over some matter; asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one's hearers) what is the best or appropriate way to approach something.

Where shall I begin to describe her wisdom. In her knowledge of facts Where shall I begin to describe her wisdom? In her knowledge of facts? In her ability to synthesize diverse matters? In her capacity to articulate complex ideas simply? Example of aporia

hyperbaton An inversion of normal word order. For example placing the verb in front of the subject

Example of aporia Why should their liberty than ours be more?

epistrophe Ending a series of lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences with the same word or words.

Example of epistrophe What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny compared to what lies within us." —Emerson

symploce The combination of anaphora and epistrophe: beginning a series of lines, clauses, or sentences with the same word or phrase while simultaneously repeating a different word or phrase at the end of each element in this series.

Example of symploce "Against yourself you are calling him, against the laws you are calling him, against the democratic constitution you are calling him"

Chiasmus Repetition of ideas or grammatical structures in inverted order

Example of chiasmus It is boring to eat; to sleep is fulfilling

synesthesia Blending, merging, comingling of senses Using a visual sense to describe a sound for example- or a smell for a color?

Example of synesthesia The wallpaper had a yellow smell-

synecdoche A type of metaphor- A whole is represented by naming one of its parts or vice versa

Example of synecdoche Listen, you've got to come take a look at my new set of wheels.

metonymy A type of metaphor in which the whole is represented by something or someone related to it or by naming one of its attributes. 

Example of metonymy The pen is mightier than the sword

anaphora Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences, or lines.

Example of anaphora This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise,

Periodic sentence Sentence in which the meaning or sense is suspended until the end

Example of periodic sentence Of man's first disobedience and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse... Milton