Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Abstract/Abstraction
- A word or phrase that refers to ideas, as relationships, generalities is abstract
- The more general the meaning of any given word, the more abstract it tends to be
Abstract/Abstraction effect
Abstractions make writing more general
Abstract/Abstraction Examples
- truth
- justice
- democracy
Alliteration
- The repetition of consonant or vowel sounds in successive words
- Most often the sound in the first syllable is repeated
Effect of alliterations
- beauty of sound and emphasis
Alliteration examples
“Poor Paul was playing pickleball”
Allusion
- a reference to a generally familiar person, place, or thing, whether real or legendary
- most allusions are drawn from history, geography, the Bible, mythology, and literature
Effect of allusions
- They evoke atmosphere, a story, or time period using only a few words
Effect of a clause
- Brings clarity to writing
Allusion examples
- Queen Elizabeth
- Cleopatra
- Montreal
- CN tower
Antithesis, Antithetical
- A balancing of two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, clauses, paragraphs, or even larger units of writing
Effect of antithesis,antithetical
- they are emphatic, often witty, and usually memorable
- they are effective in development by contrast
Antithesis, Antithetical Examples
“God is love, I dare say. But what a mischievous devil Love is.“
Assonance
- The repetition of internal vowel sound in closely following words
Effect of Assonance
- adds beauty and emphasis to writing
Assonance Examples
“a deep green stream.“
Balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence
- contains two distinct halves or parts, each of about the same length and importance
- Similar constructions appear in the same place in each half and balance one another
Effect of balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence
- provides rhythm and emphasizes equal ideas
Balance, balanced construction, balanced sentence example
“There’s never time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it over.“
Clause
- grammatically related group of words containing a subject and a predicate
- 2 different types: a main clause and a dependent clause
Main Clause
A clause that stands by itself as a complete sentence
Main Clause Example
- “from the beginnings of civilization until very recently, women in most societies were literally the property of their husbands and fathers.”
- Starting from women is a main clause
Dependent Clause
A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
Dependent Clause Example
“While I go to the grocery store”
- Needs context to make it a sentence
Colloquialism, Colloquial
-language which occurs more often in speech than writing
- use of slang
Effect of colloquialism, colloquial
adds a conversational flavor to writing, making it more informal and entertaining
Colloquialism, Colloquial Example
- “he revered the dignity of her face and the quiet beauty of her smile; in Sam, he thought that she was pretty cute.“
- Last clause is a colloquial
Complex Sentence
a sentence containing one main clause and at least one dependent clause
Effect of complex sentences
add complexity and variety to writing
Complex Sentence Example
“When she arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off.”
Connotation
- the attitudes, feelings, and emotions aroused by a word
- tend to be favourable or unfavourable
Effect of connotations
- Influence the emotional tone of writing
Connotation Example
- village and hicktown both refer to a small settlement
- Village has a neutral connotation
- Hicktown has a negative connotation
Consonance
- a kind of rhyme in which the same consonant follows different vowel sounds
Effect of consonance
adds beauty and rhythm to writing
Consonance Example
“Mike likes his new bike”
Cumulative Sentence
- begins with a general statement which it then expands in a series of particulars
Effect of cumulative sentences
- Emphasis trough variation
- Provide detailed descriptions
Cumulative Sentence Example
“I went to the mall yesterday, bought shirts and pants and ate at a new restaurant.”
Figure of speech, figurative, figuratively
- any use of language for a stylistic affect
- metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration
Effect of figure of speech, figurative, figuratively
enhance writing by adding depth, vividness, and creativity to language
Image, Imagery
- a picture made with words
Effect of image, imagery
creates a vivid mental picture for the reader
Interrupted movement
Variation in normal sentence structure with clauses or absolute phrases that interrupt the regular word order
Effect of interrupted movement
adds variety and emphasis to writing
Interrupted movement example
“The renaissance, as we have seen, has not yet reached northern Europe.”
Irony, ironic, ironically
- Reverse of what it says
- The use of words to mean something different from their surface meaning
Effect of irony, ironic, ironically
surprises and emphasizes points
Example of irony, ironic, ironically
Telling an idiot “You genius”
Loose Sentence
A sentence that begins with the main idea and is followed by explanations, details, and modifiers
Effect of loose sentences
-Emphasis through variation
- Provides detailed descriptions
Loose sentence example
“The mountain climber must use his head first, and only then his rope, ice-axe, and pitons.”
Metaphor
- An implied comparison between two seemingly different things
- A metaphor states that one thing is another
Effect of metaphors
They clarify abstract concepts by making them concrete
Example of a metaphor
“Life is a journey”
Parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
- They sound rhythmic and balanced
- structure that is similar in phrasing and development
Effect of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
- Emphasizes ideas that are of equal importance
- Creates beauty of sound
Example of parallel, parallelism, parallel construction
“She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.”
Periodic Sentence
- A sentence which delays the expression of a complete thought until the end, or until near the end
- More suited for formal writing
Effect of periodic sentences
Create emphasis through variation
Example of a periodic sentence
“Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie.”
Personification
Ideas, animals, or things are given human attributes
Effect of a personification
Creates vivid images by humanizing objects or things
Personification Example
“The flowers danced to the wind”
Rhetorical Questions
A question asked for dramatic effect that does not demand an answer
Effect of a rhetorical question
- Sets up the point the writer wishes to develop
Example of a rhetorical question
“Are you crazy”
Simile
comparison between things using “like” or “as”
Effect of a simile
clarify concepts by comparing them to familiar things
Example of a simile
“As quiet as a mouse”
Symbol
A person, place, or thing that represents something real and tangible, as well as an abstract concept
Effect of symbols
Convey complex ideas and emotions by associating them with concrete elements
Example of a symbol
Canadian flag can symbolize Canada
Tone
The author’s attitude toward the subject and the reader
Example of tone
Tone can be: excited, scared, angry, etc
Understatment
- When the writer downplays or softens a situation
Effect of understatement
adds emphasis by creating a striking contrast between the subject and its treatment
Example of an understatement
“It seems to be raining a little,” in the middle of a hurricane
