Rhetorical Devices Adapted from the Web Site of James Tomlinson

Rhetoric Noun: The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing Language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience

Anaphora The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or lines. The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or lines. "We shall not flag or fail. 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." "We shall not flag or fail. 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." (British Prime Minister Winston Churchill)

Antithesis Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (Barry Goldwater - Republican Candidate for President 1964) "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (Barry Goldwater - Republican Candidate for President 1964) "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more". (Brutus in: " Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare) "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more". (Brutus in: " Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare)

Hyperbole 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 Expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. Expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. We often think of this as sarcasm We often think of this as sarcasm (Note: The terms sarcasm and irony are often used interchangeably, but there is a semantic difference. Sarcasm is meant to insult or cause harm. So strictly speaking, “Great, I forgot my umbrella” is ironic, whereas “You call this a cup of coffee?” is sarcastic.)

(Situational) Irony When the outcome of actions or events is different than the desired or expected result When the outcome of actions or events is different than the desired or expected result

(Dramatic) Irony The reader or audience knows something fictional characters don’t The reader or audience knows something fictional characters don’t When we say something is ironic we almost never mean dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience has important knowledge which is withheld from a character or characters in a story, a movie, or a play. When we say something is ironic we almost never mean dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience has important knowledge which is withheld from a character or characters in a story, a movie, or a play. The most obvious example of this is when the young lady in the slasher flick doesn’t realize that the guy in the hockey mask with the meat cleaver is hiding behind the hot tub—but we do. The most obvious example of this is when the young lady in the slasher flick doesn’t realize that the guy in the hockey mask with the meat cleaver is hiding behind the hot tub—but we do.

Pathos, Logos, Ethos Pathos: the emotional appeals (vivid language, emotional language and numerous sensory details) Pathos: the emotional appeals (vivid language, emotional language and numerous sensory details) Logos: the logic used to support a claim (can also be the facts and statistics used to help support the argument) Logos: the logic used to support a claim (can also be the facts and statistics used to help support the argument) Ethos: the source's credibility, the speaker's/author's authority Ethos: the source's credibility, the speaker's/author's authority

Parallelism Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences are equal in importance. Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences are equal in importance. Adds balance and rhythm and, most importantly, clarity to the sentence. Adds balance and rhythm and, most importantly, clarity to the sentence. Parallelism Parallelism Parallelism