Rhetorical Devices

Persuasive Structures, Sounds, & Patterns

Rhetorical Device

(Persuasive Structures, Sounds, & Patterns)

Definition: A linguistic tool that utilizes specific sentence structures, sounds, or patterns of meaning to provoke a particular reaction from an audience. Each rhetorical device serves as a unique tool for building an argument or enhancing the persuasiveness of an existing one. This involves the strategic use of language to evoke a desired response and make a position or argument more compelling.

Function: Devices are the individual elements or techniques used to construct or embellish language. They are often used to create particular effects, such as emphasis, emotion, or imagery.
Application: Rhetorical devices are employed at a micro level, focusing on the choice of words, sentence structures, and figures of speech to make the communication more impactful.

Rhetorical Strategy

Definition: A rhetorical strategy is a broader plan or approach an author or speaker uses to organize and present their argument or message effectively.

Examples: Ethos (appeal to credibility), pathos (appeal to emotion), logos (appeal to logic), and kairos (appeal to timeliness).
Function: Strategies are the overarching methods or tactics used to persuade. They encompass the use of multiple rhetorical devices, tactics, and organizational tactics.
Application: Rhetorical strategies are applied at a macro level, guiding the structure, approach, and techniques used to achieve the intended persuasive effect.
Disambiguation: Devices focus on enhancing language and expression, while strategies aim to organize and present the argument effectively to persuade the audience.

Analysis of Rhetorical Devices

(Example Analysis)

"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

Antimetabole: Words or phrases are repeated in reverse order. This creates a strong contrast between selfishness (asking what the country can do for you) and selflessness (asking what you can do for the country). The reversal of the structure emphasizes the shift in focus from receiving to giving, making the statement more memorable and impactful. (an-tee-meh-TAB-oh-lee)
Chiasmus: The second half of a sentence mirrors the first, but in reverse order, as seen above. This mirrored structure underscores the relationship between personal responsibility and national duty, encouraging the audience to think critically about their societal role. (ky-AZ-mus)
Parallelism: Using like grammatical structure in successive clauses, lists, sentences, phrases, or items in series. Above, balance between the two clauses enhances the rhythm and flow of the sentence. The symmetry of the sentence creates a pleasing structure, which contributes to its persuasiveness and memorability.
Tone: The tone of the passage is inspirational and patriotic. By urging the audience to focus on what they can contribute, the tone evokes feelings of pride, honor, and a collective sense of purpose. The simplicity and clarity of the message add to its effectiveness, making it both a call to action and a profound statement of values.

Rhetorical Devices

(Sixty Common Rhetorical Devices)

Below is a list of the sixty most commonly used rhetorical devices. For a more complete list, see the Glossary of Rhetorical Terms in this guide.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

Allusion

A brief reference to a famous person, place, event, or text.

Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”

Amplification

Repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to emphasize a point or make it clearer.

Example: “The homework was hard, incredibly hard, impossibly hard.”

Anacoluthon

A sentence or construction that lacks grammatical sequence, creating an abrupt break.

Example: “I warned him that if he continues to drive so recklessly—well, I’ve said enough.”

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of a sentence or clause at the beginning of the next one.

Example: “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields.”

Anastrophe

Inversion of the normal word order in a sentence for emphasis.

Example: “Strong in the force, you are.”

Anthimeria

The substitution of one part of speech for another, such as using a noun as a verb.

Example: “Let’s movie” (using "movie" as a verb).

Antimetabole

The repetition of words or phrases in reverse order.

Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in parallel structure.

Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Anecdote

A short personal story used to illustrate a point.

Example: A speaker telling a story about a childhood experience to explain the importance of education.

Aposiopesis

A sudden break in speech, leaving a sentence unfinished for effect.

Example: “I can’t even begin to explain how much—never mind.”

Apophasis (Paralipsis)

The technique of emphasizing something by pretending to omit it.

Example: “I’m not even going to mention how late you are every day.”

Aporia

Expressing doubt or uncertainty about something, often to engage the audience in thinking.

Example: “I’m not sure where to begin, but I know this is a serious issue.”

Apposition

Placing two elements side by side, with the second element serving to explain or modify the first.

Example: “My brother, a doctor, is coming to visit.”

Asyndeton

The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.

Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”

Bdelygmia

An expression of hatred or disgust.

Example: “You cur! You scoundrel! You villain!”

Catachresis

A highly unusual or strained metaphor that creates a surprising effect.

Example: “The voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses.”

Chiasmus

A reversal of the structure of phrases or clauses for effect.

Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Climactic Order

Arranging ideas in order of increasing importance or intensity.

Example: “First, we need awareness. Next, we need action. And finally, we need a commitment to lasting change.”

Colloquialism

The use of informal language or slang.

Example: “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Diacope

Repetition of a word or phrase with intervening words.

Example: “The horror, the horror!”

Diction

The choice of words and style of expression.

Example: A speaker using formal language to address a professional audience.

Ellipsis

The omission of one or more words that are understood in the context.

Example: “The average person thinks he isn’t” (omitting “average”).

Enthymeme

A rhetorical syllogism where one premise is left unstated.

Example: “He must be a good man since he’s a priest” (unstated: priests are good).

Epanalepsis

Repetition of the initial word or words of a clause at the end of the same clause.

Example: “The king is dead, long live the king!”

Epanorthosis

Immediate rephrasing of a word or statement for emphasis or clarification.

Example: “I’m angry—no, furious!”

Epistrophe (Epiphora)

Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.

Example: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Epizeuxis

The immediate repetition of a word for emphasis.

Example: “Alone, alone, all, all alone, alone on a wide, wide sea.”

Euphemism

A mild expression used in place of one considered harsh or blunt.

Example: “Passed away” instead of “died.”

Euphuism

A highly elaborate and ornate style of writing or speaking.

Example: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Hypophora

Asking a question and immediately answering it.

Example: “What’s the solution? The answer is simple: education.”

Hypotaxis

Use of subordination to show the relationship between clauses or phrases.

Example: “As he was driving, he saw a deer cross the road.”

Imagery

The use of descriptive language to create vivid pictures.

Example: “The crisp, golden leaves crunched beneath her feet.”

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, often using language to express the opposite meaning.

Example: Saying “What a wonderful day” during a storm.

Isocolon

A series of clauses of equal length and similar structure.

Example: “Veni, vidi, vici.”

Litotes

A form of understatement using a negative to express a positive.

Example: “Not bad” to mean “good.”

Meiosis

The presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater understatement.

Example: “One nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day.”

Metaphor

A figure of speech that compares two things without using "like" or "as."

Example: “Time is a thief.”

Metonymy

A figure of speech where something is referred to by the name of something associated with it.

Example: “The White House issued a statement” (referring to the president).

Onomatopoeia

Words that imitate sounds.

Example: “The bees buzzed, and the brook gurgled.”

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear together.

Example: “Deafening silence.”

Parallelism

The use of similar structures in sentences or phrases to create rhythm.

Example: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Paradox

A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth.

Example: “The only constant in life is change.”

Personification

Giving human qualities to non-human things.

Example: “The wind howled through the trees.”

Polyptoton

Repetition of words derived from the same root with different endings.

Example: “Not as a call to battle, though embattled we are.”

Polysyndeton

The deliberate use of multiple conjunctions in quick succession.

Example: “We have ships and men and money and stores.”

Procatalepsis

Addressing an opposing argument before it’s raised.

Example: “Some may argue this is too costly, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.”

Prolepsis (Anticipation)

Addressing an argument or counterpoint before it’s raised by the audience.

Example: “Now, I know what you’re thinking—how could this be true? But let me explain.”

Sententia

A brief moral statement or aphorism.

Example: “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as."

Example: “Her smile was like sunshine.”

Syllogism

A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two premises.

Example: “All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.”

Symploce

Combining anaphora and epistrophe; repetition at both the beginning and end of successive clauses.

Example: “The madman is afraid of himself, the hero scorns himself, the coward runs from himself.”

Synecdoche

A figure of speech where a part represents the whole.

Example: “All hands on deck” (where "hands" refers to sailors).

Synesis

The grammatical agreement of a sentence is based on meaning rather than strict grammatical rules. It occurs when the subject and verb agree in meaning, but not in grammar.

Example: What’s the use you learning to do right, when it’s troublesome to do right and it ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?” - Huckleberry Finn

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Example: Short, punchy sentences for emphasis or longer, more intricate sentences to develop an argument thoroughly.

Tautology

Redundant or repetitive language that adds no new meaning.

Example: “It’s deja vu all over again.”

Tricolon

The use of three parallel elements (words, phrases, or clauses).

Example: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Understatement

Intentionally making a situation seem less important than it is.

Example: “It’s just a scratch” (after a serious injury).

Zeugma

A figure of speech in which one word applies to more than one noun.

Example: “She broke his car and his heart.”

Table of Contents

(This Page)

Rhetorical Device

Rhetorical Strategy

Analysis of Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical Appeals

Rhetorical appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—are considered rhetorical devices, but they serve a distinct role within rhetoric. While rhetorical devices encompass a broad range of techniques used to enhance expression, communication, or persuasion, rhetorical appeals specifically refer to the methods used to persuade an audience by appealing to their ethics, emotions, or logic.

** See the Appeals section in this guide for comprehensive information.

Ethical Appeals (Ethos)

Establishing the speaker’s credibility and authority.

Authority: Citing a recognized authority or expert.
Character: Demonstrating the speaker's reliability, trustworthiness, and moral character.

* See Ethos in this guide for more details.

Emotional Appeals (Pathos)

Engaging the audience’s emotions.

Imagery: Using vivid and descriptive language to create mental images.
Narrative: Telling a story to evoke emotional responses.

* See Pathos in this guide for more details.

Logical Appeals (Logos)

Using logic and reason to persuade.

Statistics: Using numerical data.
Facts: Providing verifiable information.
Syllogism: Using deductive reasoning.

* See Logos in this guide for more details.

Page updated

Report abuse