Composition Advanced Rhetorical Devices

Amplification  The repetition of a word or phrase, followed by additional information Used to clarify and intensify the meaning of the original word Ex: All Ethan asked for was a chance, a chance to prove his hard-won ability, a chance to overcome the hardship of his youth.

Anaphora  The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of series of clauses, or sentences. Links the ideas in the series and often emphasizes gradual increase of emotion. Ex: No amount of money, no amount of labor, no amount of sacrifice will be sufficient to repay the debt we owe to these great men and women.

Antithesis  The emphasis of two contrasting ideas by placing them adjacent to one another in a sentence or clause, often in parallel structure. Ex: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Asyndeton  The omission of conjunctions that would normally separate the items in a list or series. It slows the pace with which the list is read. Contributes an informal, unplanned tone to the list. Ex: Children’s literature is filled with unlikely anthropomorphisms: talking lions, kindly badgers, beleaguered frogs, insolent caterpillars.

Chiasmus  A kind of inverted Parallelism; the structure or word order of two closely placed phrases or clauses is the reverse order of each other. Ex: To voice an opinion is always easy, but it is often a challenge to support it with facts. Ex: “… ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.”

Enumeratio  Specific examples clarify and illustrate the point being established. Ex: The benefits of an education are almost limitless: exposure to a variety of ideas and views, broadened experience, enhanced knowledge and skill, and increased employment opportunities. Ex: Math is easy except for the numbers, the formulas, and the terminology.

Epistrophe (Antistrophe)  A word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. Opposite of Anaphora Ex: The Ford Edsel was an abysmal failure because the name was unpopular, the design was unpopular, and the price unpopular. Ex: “… that government of the people, by the people, for the people…”

Hyperbaton  Variations or inversions in conventional word order, usually for the sake of emphasis and aesthetic impact. Ex: He was a loyal friend and true. Ex: “To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy.”

Hypophora  Resembles a rhetorical question in that it raises a question in the text, but hypophora follows the question with an answer. Common device for introductions or transitions Ex: How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! Practice! Practice! Ex: Why would someone guilty of a crime agree to a plea agreement? Consider the emotional, physical, economic drain of a long trial.

Litotes  The use of a double negative to generate a positive understatement. Ex: The homework assignment was not unreasonable. Ex: The king did not fail to appreciate the young prince’s treachery.

Parallelism  The use of similar word choice, syntax, and/or structure in successive parts of a sentence, or successive sentences. Primary purpose is to communicate that the parts or sentences are related and equal.  Also, adds balance, rhythm, cohesion, and clarity to one’s writing. Ex: The first person to arrive in the morning should unlock the door, set up the coffee pot, check the phone messages, and turn on the lights.

Polysyndeton  The opposite of Asyndeton; the inclusion of a conjunction before every item in a list or series (except the first). Speeds up the pace with which the list is read. Ex: “And neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds.”

Protocatalepsis  Anticipates a reader’s objection, addresses it, and then moves on with the writer’s argument. Ex: There are, of course, those who will complain that such a move would be too costly but the questions remains, can we afford not to act? Ex: The argument that wiretapping and satellite photography violate citizens’ privacy holds no validity since the Bill of Rights offers no specific protection of a “right” to privacy.