1. Rhetorical Devices

2. Alliteration Repetition of the initial consonant sounds beginning several words in sequence. Repetition of the initial consonant sounds beginning several words in sequence. "....we shall not falter, we shall not fail." (President G.W. Bush Address to Congress following 9-11-01 Terrorist Attacks.) "....we shall not falter, we shall not fail." (President G.W. Bush Address to Congress following 9-11-01 Terrorist Attacks.) "Let us go forth to lead the land we love.“ "Let us go forth to lead the land we love.“ (President J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural 1961) (President J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural 1961) "Veni, vidi, vici.“ "Veni, vidi, vici.“ (Julius Caesar - “I came, I saw, I conquered”) (Julius Caesar - “I came, I saw, I conquered”)

3. Anadiplosis (“Doubling back") The rhetorical repetition of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a word that ends one clause at the beginning of the next. (“Doubling back") The rhetorical repetition of one or several words; specifically, repetition of a word that ends one clause at the beginning of the next. "Men in great place are thrice servants: servants of the sovereign or state; servants of fame; and servants of business.“ "Men in great place are thrice servants: servants of the sovereign or state; servants of fame; and servants of business.“ (Francis Bacon)

4. 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)

5. Antistrophe/Epistrophe Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses. "In 1931, ten years ago, Japan invaded Manchukuo -- without warning. In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia -- without warning. In 1938, Hitler occupied Austria -- without warning. In 1939, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia -- without warning. Later in 1939, Hitler invaded Poland -- without warning. And now Japan has attacked Malaya and Thailand -- and the United States --without warning." (President Franklin D. Roosevelt ) "In 1931, ten years ago, Japan invaded Manchukuo -- without warning. In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia -- without warning. In 1938, Hitler occupied Austria -- without warning. In 1939, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia -- without warning. Later in 1939, Hitler invaded Poland -- without warning. And now Japan has attacked Malaya and Thailand -- and the United States --without warning." (President Franklin D. Roosevelt )

6. 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)

7. Asyndeton Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. Lack of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardships, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural) "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardships, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural) "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.“ "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.“ (President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address) (President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address)

8. Chiasmus Two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels (A-B-A-B) but in inverted order (A-B-B-A); from shape of the Greek letter chi (X). Two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels (A-B-A-B) but in inverted order (A-B-B-A); from shape of the Greek letter chi (X). "Those gallant men will remain often in my thoughts and in my prayers always." (General Douglas MacArthur) "Those gallant men will remain often in my thoughts and in my prayers always." (General Douglas MacArthur) "Renown'd for conquest, and in council skill'd." (Marcus Tullius Cicero) "Renown'd for conquest, and in council skill'd." (Marcus Tullius Cicero)

9. Climax Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of ascending power. Often the last emphatic word in one phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of the next. Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of ascending power. Often the last emphatic word in one phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of the next. "One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." (Tennyson, " Ulysses") "One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." (Tennyson, " Ulysses")

10. Euphemism Euphemism: substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant. Euphemism: substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant. Euphemism Examples: Euphemisms for " stupid" A few fries short of a Happy Meal. Not the brightest crayon in the box. One Fruit Loop shy of a full bowl. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. The cheese slid off his cracker.

11. 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.”

12. (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. “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. “ (Shakespeare's Mark Antony in Julius Caesar) “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. “ (Shakespeare's Mark Antony in Julius Caesar)

13. Metaphor Implied comparison achieved through a figurative use of words; the word is used not in its literal sense, but in one analogous to it. Implied comparison achieved through a figurative use of words; the word is used not in its literal sense, but in one analogous to it. *Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, *Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage. " (Shakespeare, Macbeth ) “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” (W. Churchill) (W. Churchill)

14. Oxymoron Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another. Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another. “I must be cruel only to be kind.“ “I must be cruel only to be kind.“ (Shakespeare, Hamlet) "Hurts so good…“ "Hurts so good…“ (John Cougar Melancamp) “Jumbo Shrimp” “Jumbo Shrimp”

15. Paradox An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it. An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it. “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." (George Bernard Shaw)

16. Personification Attribution of personality to an impersonal thing. Attribution of personality to an impersonal thing. “England expects every man to do his duty." “England expects every man to do his duty." (Lord Nelson) "Rise up and defend the Motherland" (Line from "Enemy at the Gates“) "Rise up and defend the Motherland" (Line from "Enemy at the Gates“)

17. Simile An explicit comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as'. An explicit comparison between two things using 'like' or 'as'. “My love is as a fever, longing still For that which longer nurseth the disease" “My love is as a fever, longing still For that which longer nurseth the disease" (Shakespeare, Sonnet CXLVII) (Shakespeare, Sonnet CXLVII) “Reason is to faith as the eye to the telescope" “Reason is to faith as the eye to the telescope" (D. Hume) (D. Hume) “Let us go then, you and I, While the evening is spread out against the sky, Like a patient etherized upon a table" “Let us go then, you and I, While the evening is spread out against the sky, Like a patient etherized upon a table" (T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”) (T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”)

18. Syllepsis Use of a word with two others, with each of which it is understood differently. Use of a word with two others, with each of which it is understood differently. “We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately.” (Benjamin Franklin) “We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately.” (Benjamin Franklin)

23. Rhetorical Strategies The strategies that follow are just some of the ways to make your writing/speaking more persuasive… The strategies that follow are just some of the ways to make your writing/speaking more persuasive…

24. Parallel Structure Parallel Structure-repetition of grammatically similar words, phrases, clauses, or sentences to emphasize a point or stir the emotions of a reader/listener. Used to create a sense of rhythm, balance, and order in writing or speech. Parallel Structure-repetition of grammatically similar words, phrases, clauses, or sentences to emphasize a point or stir the emotions of a reader/listener. Used to create a sense of rhythm, balance, and order in writing or speech. Chiasmus=“inverted parallelism” (i.e. eat to live, not live to eat) Chiasmus=“inverted parallelism” (i.e. eat to live, not live to eat)

25. Parallel Structure The coach told the players: “You will get some sleep tonight, you will not eat too much before the game, and you will do some warm-up exercises before the game.”

26. Rhetorical Question Rhetorical Question-question not answered by writer b/c the answer is obvious or obviously desired. Used in persuasion to encourage the reader/listener to reflect on what the answer must be. Rhetorical Question-question not answered by writer b/c the answer is obvious or obviously desired. Used in persuasion to encourage the reader/listener to reflect on what the answer must be. “How much longer must our people endure this injustice?” “How much longer must our people endure this injustice?”

27. Allusion Short, informal reference to famous person, event, story. Relies on reader/listener to be familiar with the reference and hidden meaning. Used to stimulate ideas, associations, add extra information. Short, informal reference to famous person, event, story. Relies on reader/listener to be familiar with the reference and hidden meaning. Used to stimulate ideas, associations, add extra information. If I want to persuade you to wash your hands, I may say “thou shalt wash thy hands”. I am trusting that you respect the commandments and, hence, my statement. If I want to persuade you to wash your hands, I may say “thou shalt wash thy hands”. I am trusting that you respect the commandments and, hence, my statement.

28. Analogy Comparison between two things that are alike in certain respects. Used in persuasion to demonstrate the logic of one idea by showing how it is similar to an accepted idea. Comparison between two things that are alike in certain respects. Used in persuasion to demonstrate the logic of one idea by showing how it is similar to an accepted idea. (“Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them reveal the riches within.”- Sydney Harris) (“Pupils are more like oysters than sausages. The job of teaching is not to stuff them and then seal them up, but to help them reveal the riches within.”- Sydney Harris)

29. Humor Humor can be used to make you like the writer/speaker and “win you over” Humor can be used to make you like the writer/speaker and “win you over” Hyperbole-exaggeration for emphasis/effect (“at night she needs a paint scraper to take off her makeup”) Hyperbole-exaggeration for emphasis/effect (“at night she needs a paint scraper to take off her makeup”) Sarcasm (That sounds like a great idea, not!) Sarcasm (That sounds like a great idea, not!) Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) (“it is ironic that the window store had all of its windows broken by vandals”) Irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) (“it is ironic that the window store had all of its windows broken by vandals”) Understatement (From Monty Python: Army officer loses a leg, “Stings a bit.”) Understatement (From Monty Python: Army officer loses a leg, “Stings a bit.”)

30. Active Voice v. Passive Voice Active Voice- The boy hit the ball. The subject of this sentence actively hits the ball. Active Voice- The boy hit the ball. The subject of this sentence actively hits the ball. Passive Voice- The ball was hit by the boy. The subject sits passively, doing nothing while some outside agent performs the action. Passive Voice- The ball was hit by the boy. The subject sits passively, doing nothing while some outside agent performs the action.

31. Here’s why it is better rhetoric to use active voice… Active voice sentences are shorter. Active voice sentences are shorter. The fighter punched Ali and dodged the uppercut. (Active= 8 words) The fighter punched Ali and dodged the uppercut. (Active= 8 words) Ali was punched by the fighter, and then an uppercut was dodged by him. (Passive= 14 words) Ali was punched by the fighter, and then an uppercut was dodged by him. (Passive= 14 words)

32. Active sentences are clear and to the point When you use passive voice, you have to use boring phrases like “by so-and-so” or leave this out and let your sentence become unclear. When you use passive voice, you have to use boring phrases like “by so-and-so” or leave this out and let your sentence become unclear. The airplane was flown to Bermuda (by the pilot). The airplane was flown to Bermuda (by the pilot). My car has been driven to Dallas. (By whom? A car thief? The teletubbies?) My car has been driven to Dallas. (By whom? A car thief? The teletubbies?)

33. To Identify the Evil Passive Voice Is there a form of the verb “to be” such as is/am/are/was/were/be/being/been? (Can’t create passive voice without this) Is there a form of the verb “to be” such as is/am/are/was/were/be/being/been? (Can’t create passive voice without this) Could you insert “by so-and-so” after the verb? (the dog was fed (by the owner) Could you insert “by so-and-so” after the verb? (the dog was fed (by the owner) ID the subject and main verb. Is the subject “doing” the action? Or is it sitting passively? ID the subject and main verb. Is the subject “doing” the action? Or is it sitting passively?