Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
What is Rhetoric?
Ancient Greek method of persuasion.
Allusion
A reference to a famous person, event, object, etc.
Example of an allusion
Her smile was as beautiful as the Mona Lisa’s.
Alliteration
A repetition of the beginning sound in a series of words.
Example of an alliteration
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Analogy
An extended comparison.
Anaphora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning sound in a series of words.
Example of an anaphora
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and we shall fight in the hills.
Anecdote
A little story used within a longer piece of writing to convey a point.
Aphorism
A short memorable statement.
Example of an aphorism
A penny saved is a penny earned.
What are the three types of appeal to audience?
Logos, Ethos, pathos.
Logos
The appeal to reason
Example of a logos
Animals should not be used for experimentation because the alternative use of tissue cultures is far less expensive.
Pathos
The appeal to emotions
Example of a pathos
How can anyone accept the thoughtless cruelty with which animals are treated in experimentation.
Ethos
The ethical appeal (sense of right and wrong)
Example of an ethos
Although I am a scientist, I believe as most of you do, that animals should not simply be deemed disposable in mankind’s pursuit of knowledge at any expense.
Appeal to authority
An expert is cited to support an argument. A quote from this expert is often included.
Example of appeal to authority
World-renowned expert Denny Brawnsiz also believes that iguanas are the most intelligent animal on earth.
Appeal to senses
Concrete, descriptive language is used to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind to appeal to the five senses.
Example of an appeal to senses.
The snow crunched under his feet. The fresh baked pie smelled delicious.
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds within a series of words.
Example of an assonance
Hear the fear within the ears.
Bandwagon
Creating the impression that everyone is doing something, therefore the reader will fell left out if he/she doesn’t participate.
Card-stacking
Establishing a point by using only favourable facts.
Debunking
An opposing view or belief that will be challenged of overthrown.
Diction
Refers to a particular choice of words: formal, informal, jargon, colloquial, slang.
Evidence
Backing up your opinions with concrete evidence, either of an authority who agrees with you, or by statistics which prove your point.
Example of evidence
Vote for me. 66 percent of all canadians are in some way dissatisfied.
Generalization
Used for emphasis
Example of generalization
It always rains on the weekends.
Hyperbole
Exaggeration for effect; not meant to be taken literally.
Example of hyperbole
He’s so smart he can run the school by himself.
Incongruity
A phrase, statement, example, etc. that is out of place, absurd, or out of keeping.
Irony
The use of words to express the opposite of what one really means,.
Example of irony
Brutus is an honourable man.
Metaphor
A comparison not using like or as
Example of a metaphor
On the final exam, several students went down in flames.
Onomatopoiea
The use of words whose sound suggests the sense.
Example of an onomatopoiea
Boom! Hiss!
Oxymoron/paradox
Seeming contradictions which may, in reality, have some truth in them.
Example of an oxymoron
Art is a form of lying in order to tell the truth.
Parallelism
For balance-a similarity of structure in a pair or series of related ideas.
Example of parallelism
Let the rich and prosperous give to the poor and needy.
Personification
Giving an inanimate object human qualities.
Example of a personification
The ground thirsts for rain.
Pun
A play on words
Example of a pun
Your argument is sound, nothing but sound.
Rhetorical question
A question asked not for information but to produce effect. OR
A question which cannot be answered, but is asked to assert or deny something subtly.
Examples of rhetorical questions?
Who cares? or How can the uneducated have faith in a system which says that it will take advantage of them in every way?
Scapegoat
Attaching blame to someone or something other than the source.
Simile
A comparison using like or as
Example of a simile
He had a posture like a question mark.
Statistics
Numbers used to lend weight a purpose, plan or suggestions.
Understatement
To amuse or enhance the impressiveness of what is said.
Example of an understatement
It isn’t very serious, I have a very little tumour on the brain.
