What is rhetorical devices




















The use of a word in the same grammatical relation to two adjacent words in the context with one literal and the other metaphorical in sense. A figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole such as fifty sail for fifty ships , the whole for a part such as society for high society , the species for the genus such as cutthroat for assassin , the genus for the species such as a creature for a man , or the name of the material for the thing made such as boards for stage.

The use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up. List of Rhetorical Devices and Examples. The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables wild and woolly, threatening throngs.

Syntactical inconsistency or incoherence within a sentence especially : a shift in an unfinished sentence from one syntactic construction to another you really should have—well, what do you expect? Repetition of a prominent and usually the last word in one phrase or clause at the beginning of the next rely on his honor—honor such as his? Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.

The repetition of a word within a phrase or sentence in which the second occurrence utilizes a different and sometimes contrary meaning from the first we must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately. The usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings this giant of 3 feet 4 inches. The raising of an issue by claiming not to mention it we won't discuss his past crimes.

An expression of real or pretended doubt or uncertainty especially for rhetorical effect to be, or not to be: that is the question. Harshness in the sound of words or phrases. An inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases working hard, or hardly working? A disjunctive conclusion inferred from a single premise gravitation may act without contact; therefore, either some force may act without contact or gravitation is not a force.

The substitution of a disagreeable, offensive, or disparaging expression for an agreeable or inoffensive one greasy spoon is a dysphemism for the word diner. Repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect of the people, by the people, for the people. An interchange of two elements in a phrase or sentence from a more logical to a less logical relationship you are lost to joy for joy is lost to you.

A transposition or inversion of idiomatic word order judge me by my size, do you? By putting different arguments in the mouths of different characters , philosophers can present their readers with a broader range of possible views, thus bringing more nuance into the conversation.

This device also allows philosophers to make their own arguments more persuasive by responding to the various counterarguments presented by characters in the dialogue.

And where is he now, padre? Your masked friend? A rhetorical question is a question that the audience is not supposed to answer — either because the answer is obvious, or because the speaker is about to answer it for them.

The two vertical lines represent a caesura , or pause. This is a common rhetorical device in poetry, but is also found in music. Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, either through speaking or writing. In ancient Greece, the concept of rhetoric was given huge cultural importance, and philosophers like Aristotle wrote whole books on rhetoric and the techniques of convincing others.

But this is a shame, since we are very much in need of leaders who have mastered the art of persuasive reasoning and respectful argumentation. Rhetoric has fallen from its former place of honor, and perhaps this explains the lack of productive dialogue in our political arena, driven as it is by sound bites and personal attacks.

However, many rhetorical devices employ literal truth and therefore should not be thought of as figures of speech. List of Terms Action. Ad Hominem. Alter Ego. APA Citation. Comic Relief. Deus ex machina. Double Entendre. Dramatic irony.

Another example of common usage of the antanagoge device: The house is old and worn, but it's clean and sturdy. The device works here by presenting what could be considered a problem, and then providing a positive viewpoint or solution to the earlier negative statement. This can sometimes be a useful device in speeches. This device works in a similar way as irony, where you might say something while denying it.

You might use a common phrase such as "I am not saying that Consider the following example to help highlight how this strategy works:.

I'm not saying that it is your fault, but you were the one who broke the vase. Here, the speaker is not overtly blaming the listener for breaking the vase but is saying that the listener caused it in some way. Chiasmus is a rhetorical technique where the speaker changes the order of the words or phrases in a sentence to invoke a sense of powerful emotion.

This device works by allowing the listener to have an emotional thought response to what is being said. One of the most well-known and powerful examples of this rhetorical device can be heard in President John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech:. He used this device to provoke deep thought as well as to make a personal connection between the population and their roles within the American nation. Euphemism is a rhetorical device that uses a pleasant phrase or saying to convey a more familiar or less pleasant one.

Consider the following examples of euphemisms at work:. This rhetorical strategy is used when a writer or speaker asks a question and then immediately provides the answer. You might have already found yourself using this device when in conversation or other communication. Why is it important to eat healthy foods? It is important because you can heal illness and build your immune system. Unlike a rhetorical question, a hypophora wastes no time in providing a direct answer to a posed question.

These devices work by invoking a sense of comparison between two like subjects. Similes work to provide a comparable point-of-view to a well-known or familiar subject. Consider the following examples:. The children were as loud as a pack of wild dogs.



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