Rhetorical Analysis & Their Functions

Analogy

to make a pointed comparison, often a very powerful comparison

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Metaphor

Comparing things figuratively WITHOUT using like or as

Her heart is gold

Similie

Comparing things BY USING like or as

I eat like a pig

Hyperbole

to provoke a response, to cast something in a strong light

Understatement

I wish I had blinding white teeth

to spark the reader's imagination, or make a pointed observation

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Juxtaposition

to call attention to extremes (with comparison)

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Imagery

to illustrate an idea, a feeling, or the particular qualities of something to produce a feeling, idea, or tone

As she stood staring into the sunset, she felt her feet sink in the sand, while small grains filled the gaps between her toes.

appeals to the 5 senses

Alliteration

typically sentences where most of the words start with the same letter or sound

she sells sea shells by the sea shore

to create a memorable phrase

Allusion

to lend authority to an idea, to make an association with something the reater knows to create a memborable phrase

referencing things wihtout directly stating it

if it doesn't stop raining, i'm going to build an arc

Refrain

to create a memorable phrase

repetition of one or more phrases/lines

images

the chorus of a song

Anaphora

to create a memorable idea, powerful effect, to reinforce an idea

the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clause

my poem for poet laurete sophmore year
maybe people wouldn;t (blah blah blah) maybe people wouldn't (blah blah blah) maybe people wouldn't (blah blah blah)

repition of the sentence starter (in the ex. from my poem)

Repetition

to create a memorable idea, powerful effect, to reinforce an idea

repeating multiple lines, words, or phrases

repetition

Parallelism

to create a memorable idea, powerful effect, to reinforce an idea

the use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meter, meaning, etc.

i have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat

Tone

to communicate an attitude towards the subject

come here right now, janet!!
demanding/ angry tone

Undertone

to communicate an attitude towards the subject that cuts beyond the attitude that appears on the surface

despite the humor used in the lecture on cheating that we recieved today, no one can doubt it's serious undertone

Words w/ heavy connotations

example

to cast the subject in a particular light, to imply

denotation: being overweight or too heavy for your size

connotation: fat, obese, plump, large, stout

Lists, cataloguing

Selection of detail

to concretize a particular idea, fact, or feeling

example: carefully picking words to piece together the most powerful sentence possible

to create a sense of overwhelming force of magnitude

he called her a melon, a pineapple, an olive tree, an emerald, and a fox in the snow all in the spand of three seconds

Irony

to convey complexitiy

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

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Paradox

to point out an apparent contradiction

"War is peace"
"Freedom is slavery"
"Ignorance is strength"

Anecdote

to provide a concrete example or humanize an abstract concept

a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

"John was missing his family after he moved across the county, but thanks to Facebook, he could stay connected."

Humor

to disarm the audience, diffuse hostility, warm the reader to the writers ideas

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Satire

to ridicule and inspire reform

the use of

irony

exaggeration

humor

to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

ridicule

Sarcasm, Verbal Irony

to ridicule or critisize

I just love having loads of homework when caffiene doesn't work for my body/ mind so I can't stay up and I fall asleep and never get anything done because I try to do it at school :,)

Invective

insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.

"You slimy, goey, piece of squirming tentacle, get your visually stinking self away from me!"

Narrative Pace

to ridicule, chastise, or convey attempt

the speed at which an author tells a story; the movement from one point or section to another

slow-paced-vs-fast-paced-storytelling

to convey energy or intense feelings (or lack thereof)

Appeals to reason, emotion, patriotism, religion, ethics, etc.

jose ferreiro ethos pathos logos

Ethos, Pathos, Logos

to provoke the auidence to respond in a particular way, to tap into a readers intellect, feelings, needs, values, etc.

Rhetorical Question

a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.

"are you kidding me??"

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

Now listen. The writing sings. Write music

Paraleipsis

emphasizing a point by seeming to pass over it

to draw attention to something while pretending not to do so

"Have patience, gentle friends, I must not read it. It is not meet you know how Caesar lov'd you."

Litotes

ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary

Litotes
"Not Bad"
"She's not ugly"
"You are not wrong"
"I am not unfamiliar with poetry"

to draw attention to something while pretending to be subtle

Translation
"Good"
"She's pretty"
"You're right"
"I know a lot about poetry"