Rhetorical Devices Used by Speakers and Writers Rhetorical devices are the nuts and bolts of speech and writing and help make a mode of communication work. Separately, each part may seem to lack deep meaning, but once put together they create a powerful effect on the listener or reader.

Parallelism Structures that are grammatically parallel emphasize specific points through repetition. If there is anyone out there who still doubts…who still wonders…who still questions

Hypophora A common technique is to start a speech with hypophora, in which the speaker first asks a question and then answers it. "Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't."

Repetition Repetition can be effective in creating a sense of structure and power. In both speech and literature, repeating small phrases can impress an idea in the minds of the audience. Repetition of letters, syllables, soundsRepetition of letters, syllables, sounds Repetition of words Repetition of clauses and phrasesRepetition of clauses and phrases Repetition of ideas Anadiplosis 54http:// 54

Antithesis A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase “There are no red states or blue states. There are only the United States of America.” "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way." (Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

Figurative speech People like to think in metaphors. Figurative speech tends to work best when set off by concrete images. “Jumping through hoops to accomplish the deed…”

Tricolon A tricolon is a list of three, or a sentence in which there are three parts or clauses. The cumulative effect of three has a powerful effect on an audience.

Polysyndeton Using several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted, to stress the importance of each item "In years gone by, there were in every community men and women who spoke the language of duty and morality and loyalty and obligation." -- William F. Buckley

Juxtaposition the placing of elements side by side, leaving it up to the reader to establish connections and impose an intended meaning "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues." - Abraham Lincoln

Allusion By using allusion, you not only associate yourself with the ideas of the original text but also create a bond with the audience by evoking shared knowledge

Analogy compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one.

Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals Ethos—appeal to ethics; asks the reader/listener to look favorably on the writer/speaker; stresses the writer/speaker’s intelligence, competence, fairness, morality, and other qualities desirable in a trustworthy leader. --“I promise you, we as a people will get there.” --“But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation...”

Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals Logos—rational appeal; asks the readers to use their intellects and powers of reasoning. It relies on established conventions of logic and evidence.

Rhetorical & Persuasive Appeals Pathos—an emotional appeal; asks readers to respond out of their beliefs, values, or feelings. It inspires, affirms, frightens, angers.