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Rhetorical Devices & Their Functions (Rhetorical Devices (Hyperbole…
Rhetorical Devices & Their Functions
Rhetorical Devices
Hyperbole
to provoke a response, to cast something in a strong light
"I am fat as a cow"
Understatement
to spark the reader's imagination, or make a pointed observation
"I have a huge wound on my arm" Don't be such a baby, its just a scratch.
Simile
a comparison with like or as
“Her hair is as dark as the night”
Juxtaposition
to call attention to extremes
A dog can run really fast, however, a cat can jump really high
Metaphor
a comparison without like or as
“Her hair is the night”
Imagery
to illustrate an idea, a feeling, or the particular qualities of something; to produce a feeling, idea or tone.
the sun was so bright that day you could see nothing but yellow, and glares of sun everywhere.
Analogy
to make a pointed comparison, often a very powerful comparison
“Her hair is as dark as the night"
Alliteration
to create a memorable phrase
"She sells sea shells by the sea shore"
Rhetorical Devices
Paradox
to point out an apparent contradiction
"war is peace"
Anecdote
to provide a concrete example or humanize an abstract concept
"John was missing his family when across the country. With facebook, however, he was able to stay connected."
Irony
to convey complexity
This shop is always open, but it is now closed.
Humor
to disarm the audience, diffuse hostility, warn the reader to the writer's ideas
"the guarantee ran out when you took the package home."
Lists, cataloging
to create a sense of overwhelming force or magnitude
I go home, I do homework, then I go to sleep
Satire
to ridicule and inspire reform
"1+1 = 2" "1 + 1 = 5"
Selection of detail
to concertize a particular idea, fact, or feeling
I walked out into the desert…I thought I was the only one here.”
Sarcasm, verbal irony
to ridicule or criticize
Oh boy, I love waiting all day for nothing special
Rhetorical Devices
Repetition
repeting a certain phrase or word over and over
"I will do my homework. I will do my homework."
Parallelism
a regular sentence with a verb and subject
I like to walk, run, and sleep everyday.
Anaphora
to create a memorable, powerful effect, to reinforce an idea
"It was. It was. It was."
Tone
to communicate an attitude towards the subject
I hate the way people think!
Refrain
to create a memorable phrase
"The art of losing isn't hard to master
Undertone
to communicate an attitude towards the subject that cuts beyond the attitude that appears on the surface
A movie that seems to be a comedy turns into a horror
Allusion
to lend authority an idea, to make an association with something the reader knows
"I was surprised her nose was not as big as Pinocchio's."
Words w/ Heavy connotations
to cast the subject in a particular light, to imply
"There is a guest in my house" | "There is an intruder in my house"
Rhetorical Devices
rhetorical question
to provoke the reader to respond or to think or lead them to the next idea
what do you want?
appeals to reason, emotion, patriotism, religion, ethics, etc
to provoke the audience to respond in a particular way, to tap into a reader's intellect feelings, needs, values, etc
Man, cristo rey is a tough school.
short, staccato sentences
to call attention to an idea
killer bees attacked south america and many were harmed.
narrative pace
to convey energy or intense feelings
in 10 seconds or less you should be able to read this entire sentence without really trying.
paraleipsis
to draw attention to something while pretending not to do so
I won't even mention how bad I am at mind maps
invective
to ridicule, chastie or convey contempt
you are a dirty and smiley cheater
litotes
to draw attention to something while pretending to be subtle
You are not wrong
