Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Anecdote
Brief story used to make the author’s argument more relatable
Aphorism
Concise statement of common beliefs (can rhyme)
“Early to bed and early to rise; Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”
Aphorism
Allusion
Reference to previously published literature and historical figures
George’s last name (Of Mice and Men) is Milton
Allusion
Satire
Exaggerates, ridicules, or pokes fun at human flaws or ideas
Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
Satire
Parody
Form of satire that imitates another work to ridicule its topic or style
SNL
Parody
Paradox
Statement that is true despite appearing contradictory
“Less is more”
Paradox
Oxymoron
Combines two words with contradictory meanings
Deafening Silence
Oxymoron
Analogy
Compares two things with shared common elements
Deductive Reasoning
Moves from general ideas to specific
Inductive Reasoning
Moves from specific ideas to general
Diction
Author word choice to establish tone and effect
Chiasmus
Uses parallel clauses, the second reversing the order of the first
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”
Chiasmus
Anaphora
Regular repetition of a word or phase at the beginnings of consecutive clauses or phrases to add emphasis to an idea
“We will fight on the beaches, we will fight on the landings, we will fight in the fields…”
Anaphora
