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Rhetorical Devices and Their Functions (Definitions / What it does…
Rhetorical Devices and Their Functions
Pictures
analogy
metaphor
simile
hyperbole
understatement
juxtaposition
imagery
alliteration
allusion
refrain
anaphora
repetition
parallelism
tone
undertone
words with heavy connotations
selection of detail
lists, cataloguing
irony
paradox
anecdote
humor
satire
sarcasm, verbal irony
narrative pace
rhetorical question
litotes
Rhetorical Devices
has to do with language
techniques writers use to get their messages across
writing techniques
figurative language
Definitions / What it does
analogy
a pointed comparison
metaphor
to compare two things without using the words "like" or "as"
simile
to compare two things by using the words "like" or "as"
hyberbole
extreme exaggeration meant to provoke a response
understatement
meant to spark the reader's imagination or promote interest
juxtaposition
to call attention to extremes
imagery
to illustrate an idea, a feeling, or the qualities of something to produce a feeling, idea, or more
alliteration
to create a memorable phrase
allusion
to lend authority to an idea, to make an association with something the reader knows
refrain
to create a memorable phrase
anaphora
to create a memorable and powerful effect to reinforce an idea
repetition
parallelism
tone
to communicate an attitude towards the subject
undertone
to communicate an attitude towards the subject that cuts beyond the attitude that appears on the surface
words with heavy connotations
to cast the subject in a particular light, to imply
selection of detail
to concertize a particular idea, fact, or feeling
lists, cataloguing
to create a sense of overwhelming force or magnitude
irony
to convey complexity
paradox
to point out an apparent contradiction
anecdote
to provide a concrete example or humanize an abstract concept
humor
to disarm the audience, diffuse hostility, warm the reader to the writer's ideas
sarcasm, verbal irony
to ridicule or criticize
satire
to ridicule and inspire reform
invective
to ridicule, chastise, or convey contempt
narrative pace
to convey energy or intense feelings (or lack thereof)
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.
rhetorical question
to provoke the reader to respond or to think, or to lead them to the next idea
short, staccato sentences
to call attention to an idea
paraleipsis
to draw attention to something while pretending not to do so
litotes
to draw attention to something while pretending to be subtle
Examples
analogy
"Her hair is as dark as the night"
metaphor
"Her heart is a cold iron"
simile
"She floated in like a cloud"
hyperbole
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"
understatement
"It''s a bit cold today"
juxtaposition
"dream" + "dead end"
imagery
smell, noise
alliteration
"She sells sea shells down by the sea shore"
allusion
"It it doesn't stop raining, I'm going to build an ark"
refrain
"In my sleep... In my sleep... In my sleep"
anaphora
"Because... Because... Because"
repetition
"I will do my homework... I will do my homework"
parallelism
"The frustrated customer wanted to exchange the article, obtain a refund, or speak to the manager"
tone
"Come here, Sally!"
words with heavy connotations
"Childlike, Youthful, Childish"
selection of detail
"Mark and me went down to the bar /pool hall two or three blocks from where we lived with the sole intention of making some money."
lists, catologuing
bucket list
irony
"The blind leading the blind"
paradox
"Less is more"
anecdote
"John was missing his family after he moved across the country, but thanks to Facebook, he could stay connected"
humor
"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse"
sarcasm
"Oh wow"
invective
"Slimy, nasty"
rhetorical question
"How could you?"
short, staccato sentences
"Killer bees invaded America"
paraleipsis
"A politician says, 'I will not even mention the fact that my opponent was a poor student'"
litotes
"Not bad" = "Good"
