Rhetorical device
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In rhetoric, a rhetorical device—also known as a persuasive or stylistic device—is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey meaning to a listener or reader, with the goal of persuading them to consider a topic from a particular point of view. These devices aim to make a position or argument more compelling by using language designed to evoke an emotional response or prompt action. They seek to make a position or argument more compelling than it would otherwise be.<ref name="Crews-Anderson 2007 no page">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page needed
Sonic devices
Sonic devices depend on sound. Sonic rhetoric is used to communicate content more clearly or quickly. It delivers messages to the audience by prompting specific reactions through auditory perception.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Crews-Anderson 2007 no page" />Template:Page needed
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the sound of an initial consonant or consonant cluster in subsequent syllables.<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" />Template:Blockquote
Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of similar vowel sounds across neighbouring words.<ref name="Harris 2003 no page">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page missing
Consonance
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds across words which have been deliberately chosen. It is different from alliteration as it can happen at any place in the word, not just the beginning.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the following example, the k sound is repeated five times.
Cacophony
Cacophony refers to the use of unpleasant sounds, such as the Plosive consonants k, g, t, d, p and b, the hissing sounds sh and s, and also the affricates ch and j, in rapid succession in a line or passage, creating a harsh and discordant effect.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that attempt to emulate a sound. When used colloquially, it is often accompanied by multiple exclamation marks and in all caps. It is common in comic strips and some cartoons.<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" />
Some examples: smek, thwap, kaboom, ding-dong, plop, bang and pew.
Word repetition
Word repetition rhetorical devices operate via repeating words or phrases in various ways, usually for emphasis.
Anadiplosis/Conduplicatio
Anadiplosis involves repeating the last word(s) of one sentence, phrase or clause at or near the beginning of the next.<ref name="Harris Handbook" /> Template:Blockquote
Conduplicatio is similar, involving repeating a key word in subsequent clauses.
Anaphora/Epistrophe/Symploce/Epanalepsis
Anaphora is repeating the same word(s) at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases or clauses.<ref name="Reedsy" />
Epistrophe is repeating the same word(s) at the end.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote
Symploce is a simultaneous combination of both anaphora and epistrophe, but repeating different words at the start and end.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Epanalepsis repeats the same word(s) at the beginning and end.<ref name="Harris 2003 no page" />Template:Page missing
Epizeuxis/Antanaclasis
Epizeuxis is repetition of the same word without interruption.<ref name="Harris Handbook" />
Antanaclasis is repetition of the same word but in a different sense. The repeated word has two different meanings in the context of the sentence. Antanaclasis is often used when the repeated word has multiple definitions or ways it may be interpreted. Authors typically use this rhetorical strategy in order to emphasize a certain word that contributes to the overarching theme or idea, to create a rhythm in their writing, or to give off a witty or humorous tone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This can take advantage of polysemy. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Diacope
Diacope is the repetition of a word or phrase after an intervening word or clause.<ref name="Harris 2003 no page" />Template:Page missing
Word relation
Word relation rhetorical devices operate via deliberate connections between words within a sentence.
Antithesis/Antimetabole/Chiasmus
Antithesis involves putting together two opposite ideas in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.<ref name="McGuigan 2011 no page" />Template:Page missing Contrast is emphasised by parallel but similar structures of the opposing phrases or clauses to draw the listeners' or readers' attention. Compared to chiasmus, the ideas must be opposites. Template:Blockquote
Antimetabole involves repeating but reversing the order of words, phrases or clauses. The exact same words are repeated, as opposed to antithesis or chiasmus. Template:Blockquote
Chiasmus involves parallel clause structure but in reverse order for the second part. This means that words or elements are repeated in the reverse order.<ref name="Farnsworth 2011 no page">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page needed The ideas thus contrasted are often related but not necessarily opposite.
Asyndeton/Polysyndeton
Asyndeton is the removal of conjunctions like "or", "and", or "but" where it might have been expected.<ref name="Farnsworth 2011 no page" />Template:Page neededTemplate:Blockquote
Polysyndeton is the use of more conjunctions than strictly needed. This device is often combined with anaphora.<ref name="Farnsworth 2011 no page" />Template:Page needed Template:Blockquote
Auxesis/Catacosmesis
Auxesis is arranging words in a list from least to most significant.<ref name="Miriam Joseph 2008 no page">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page needed This can create climax. Template:Blockquote
Catacosmesis, the opposite, involves arranging them from most to least significant.<ref name="Miriam Joseph 2008 no page" />Template:Page needed Template:Blockquote
This can create anticlimax for humour or other purposes. Template:Blockquote
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a two-word paradox often achieved through the deliberate use of antonyms. This creates an internal contradiction that can have rhetorical effect.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote
Zeugma
Zeugma involves the linking of two or more words or phrases that occupy the same position in a sentence to another word or phrase in the same sentence. This can take advantage of the latter word having multiple meanings depending on context to create a clever use of language that can make the sentence and the claim thus advanced more eloquent and persuasive.
In the following examples, 2 nouns (as direct objects) are linked to the same verb which must then be interpreted in 2 different ways.<ref name="Reedsy">Template:Cite web</ref>
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Zeugma is sometimes defined broadly to include other ways in which one word in a sentence can relate to two or more others. Even simple constructions like multiple subjects linked to the same verb are then "zeugma without complication".<ref name="Dupriez1991">Template:Cite book</ref>
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Discourse level
Discourse level rhetorical devices rely on relations between phrases, clauses and sentences. Often they relate to how new arguments are introduced into the text or how previous arguments are emphasized. Examples include antanagoge, apophasis, aporia, hypophora, metanoia and procatalepsis.
Amplification/Pleonasm
Amplification involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail, to emphasise what might otherwise be passed over.<ref name="McGuigan 2011 no page"/>Template:Page missing This allows one to call attention to and expand a point to ensure the reader realizes its importance or centrality in the discussion. Template:Blockquote
Pleonasm involves using more words than necessary to describe an idea. This creates emphasis and can introduce additional elements of meaning.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote
Antanagoge
Antanagoge involves "placing a good point or benefit next to a fault criticism, or problem in order to reduce the impact or significance of the negative point".<ref name="Harris Handbook">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote
One scenario involves a situation when one is unable to respond to a negative point and chooses instead to introduce another point to reduce the accusation's significance.
Antanagoge can also be used to positively interpret a negative situation: Template:Blockquote
Apophasis
Apophasis is the tactic of bringing up a subject by denying that it should be brought up.<ref>Baird, A. Craig; Thonssen, Lester (1948). "Chapter 15 The Style of Public Address". Speech Criticism, the Development of Standards for Rhetorical Appraisal. Ronald Press Co. p. 432.</ref> It is also known as paralipsis, occupatio, praeteritio, preterition, or parasiopesis.
Aporia
Aporia is the rhetorical expression of doubt.<ref name="Harris Handbook" />
When the rhetorical question posed is answered, this is also an instance of hypophora.
Diasyrmus
Rejecting an argument through ridiculous comparison.<ref>Silva Rhetoricae, Diasyrmus, accessed 13 November 2020</ref>
Derision
This involves setting up an opposing position to ridicule without offering a counterargument.<ref name="Crews-Anderson 2007 no page" />Template:Page needed Template:Blockquote
Enthymeme
Syllogism which omits either one of the premises or the conclusion. The omitted part must be clearly understood by the reader. Sometimes this depends on contextual knowledge. Template:Blockquote(Modern Singapore is currently Template:Age years old.)
Gish gallop
The Gish gallop is in which a person in a debate attempts to overwhelm an opponent by presenting an excessive number of arguments, without regard for their accuracy or strength, with a rapidity that makes it impossible for the opponent to address them in the time available. Gish galloping prioritizes the quantity of the galloper's arguments at the expense of their quality.
The term "Gish gallop" was coined in 1994 by the anthropologist Eugenie Scott who named it after the American creationist Duane Gish, dubbed the technique's "most avid practitioner".
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration.<ref name="Harris Handbook" /> This can be for literary effect: Template:Blockquote
Or for argumentative effect: Template:Blockquote
Hypophora
The use of hypophora is the technique whereby one asks a question and then proceeds to answer the question.<ref name="McGuigan 2011 no page">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page missing
Innuendo
This device indirectly implies an accusation without explicitly stating it.<ref name="Crews-Anderson 2007 no page" />Template:Page needed This can be combined with apophasis. Template:Blockquote
Metanoia
Metanoia qualifies a statement or by recalling or rejecting it in part or full, and then re-expressing it in a better, milder, or stronger way.<ref name="Harris Handbook" /><ref name="Harris 2003 no page" />Template:Page missing A negative is often used to do the recalling.
Procatalepsis
By anticipating and answering a possible objection, procatalepsis allows an argument to continue while rebutting points opposing it. It is a relative of hypophora.<ref name="McGuigan 2011 no page" />Template:Page missing Template:Blockquote
Understatement
Understatement, or meiosis, involves deliberately understating the importance, significance or magnitude of a subject.<ref name="McGuigan 2011 no page" />Template:Page missing Template:Blockquote
A subtype of understatement is litotes, which uses negation: Template:Blockquote
Irony and imagery
Irony
Irony is the figure of speech where the words of a speaker intends to express a meaning that is directly opposite of the said words.<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" /> Template:Blockquote
Metaphor
Metaphor connects two different things to one another. It is frequently invoked by the verb "to be".<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" /> The use of metaphor in rhetoric is primarily to convey to the audience a new idea or meaning by linking it to an already familiar idea or meaning. The literary critic and rhetorician, I. A. Richards, divides a metaphor into two parts: the vehicle and the tenor.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In the following example, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun (the vehicle), and this metaphor connecting Juliet to the sun shows that Romeo sees Juliet as being radiant and regards her as an essential being (the tenor).
In the example below, John Green compares a toddler to the sun because they do not want to go to bed.
Personification
Personification is the representation of animals, inanimate objects and ideas as having human attributes.<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" /> Template:Blockquote
Simile
Simile compares two different things that resemble each other in at least one way using "like" or "as" to explain the comparison.<ref name="Reedsy" /><ref name="Harris Handbook" /> Template:Blockquote
Metonymy
Metonymy is a figure of speech where a thing or concept is referred to indirectly by the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant. For example, "crown" to denote king or queen.
Synecdoche
A synecdoche is a class of metonymy, often by means of either mentioning a part for the whole or conversely the whole for one of its parts. Examples from common English expressions include "suits" (for "businessmen"), "boots" (for "soldiers", a pars pro toto), and "America" (for "the United States of America", a totum pro parte).
Enargia
"Vivid, forceful descriptions creating strong visual images related to audience experience."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
See also
References
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