rhetorical effects Flashcards
allusion
Allusions are often used to draw a parallel or comparison between the thing being alluded to and the point the speaker is trying to make. In the Alice example (at left), it can create a sense of just how odd things became.
analogy
Analogies draw connections/ make comparisons, so audiences can understand abstract ideas more concretely. Since we know how fast computers can work, it helps us better understand how powerful brains are.
anaphora
Anaphora focuses an audience’s attention on a particular idea (whatever’s repeated) as it does in Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It also is satisfying to listen to because of its repeated rhythm.
apostrophe
Apostrophes direct the reader’s attention to someone/something other than the person who’s speaking. This shift gives a new perspective and offers a way for the writer to personify a concept or object. This draws greater attention to it.
asyndeton
It is used to shorten a sentence or series of sentences and focus on each segment’s meaning.
anecdote
While the effect can vary, oftentimes it is to create an emotional or sympathetic response.
appeal to emotion (pathos)
Positive emotions like love and contentment may be persuasive in different contexts than negative emotions like anger or fear. Thus, what effect pathos has may depend upon the emotion used.
appeal to ethos
Ethos’ effect is to build the trustworthiness of the speaker by making the audience believe that the speaker is reliable, knowledgeable, or shares the same values as the audience.
We are most likely to be persuaded by those whom we trust or share values with.
appeal to logic (logos)
Writers or speakers who provide logical reasons for their proposals or beliefs are more likely to be effective. This can include presenting scientific studies or basic facts/statistics and interpreting them. It can also include providing warrants and backing that make the writer/speaker’s thinking clear.
chiasmus
To make a significant point or quote, or to balance sentences which may be too short to parallel. This device is effective because it gets two points across but puts more stress and emphasis on the second part.
concession
Moderates your thesis or preempts potential attacks that your opponent might use against you. Builds credibility and maturity—you’re willing to see the issue at hand as complex and multi-faceted.
connotation
Connotative meaning can create imagery, evoke particular emotions, establish tone or mood, etc.
counterclaim
Makes a writer seem more balanced, as she understands the complexity of the issue at hand (that there are opposing arguments that deserve attention).
diction
Choosing one word over another can change or create new meaning due to both the connotation (see above) and denotation (the dictionary definition) of the word.
hyperbole
Hyperbole might work to make an element humorous, provide symbolism or a metaphor, as well as hold the audience’s attention.
imagery
Imagery draws out a feeling like anger, peacefulness, beauty, wistfulness or sympathy. It asks listeners to see what the speaker sees and hear what the speaker hears.
juxtaposition
By putting two different things side by side, their differences are magnified. We see just how different they are because of the comparison.
kairos
Arguments can be strong, but if the moment isn’t right or the audience is resistant, they will fail. Kairos considers timing and uses it purposefully.
metaphor
Metaphors invite readers/listeners to think about the potential relationships between things we might not normally see as related.
parallelism
The ideas presented in the sentence have the same level of weight and value. They are equal.
Can also create a “piling on” effect if lots of items are included.
polysyndeton
Polysyndeton can slow the pace of a sentence, add rhythm and cadence to a sentence or a series, and add power to the words that follow each conjunction. It can also create a “piling on” effect when there are a lot of items being listed.
rebuttal
An effective rebuttal clarifies a multi-faceted argument and essentially shows the audience how an opposing viewpoint is incorrect, faulty, or incomplete.
repetition
Adds emphasis or helps the audience remember key ideas.
rhetorical questions
Leads the reader to question a topic and think about it further.
syntax
Short sentences are often punchy and impactful, especially if surrounded by longer sentences. Long sentences often make use of parallelism, asyndeton, or polysyndeton, so look at the effects for those devices. Semicolons show the link between the two independent clauses on either side of them. Em dashes (which look like —) create abrupt pauses and are often dramatic in feel.
