rhetorical effects

Question 1

allusion

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

analogy

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

anaphora

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

apostrophe

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

asyndeton

Answer 5

It is used to shorten a sentence or series of sentences and focus on each segment’s meaning.

Question 6

anecdote

Answer 6

While the effect can vary, oftentimes it is to create an emotional or sympathetic response.

Question 7

appeal to emotion (pathos)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

appeal to ethos

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

appeal to logic (logos)

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

chiasmus

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

concession

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

connotation

Answer 12

Connotative meaning can create imagery, evoke particular emotions, establish tone or mood, etc.

Question 13

counterclaim

Answer 13

Makes a writer seem more balanced, as she understands the complexity of the issue at hand (that there are opposing arguments that deserve attention).

Question 14

diction

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

hyperbole

Answer 15

Hyperbole might work to make an element humorous, provide symbolism or a metaphor, as well as hold the audience’s attention.

Question 16

imagery

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

juxtaposition

Answer 17

By putting two different things side by side, their differences are magnified. We see just how different they are because of the comparison.

Question 18

kairos

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

metaphor

Answer 19

Metaphors invite readers/listeners to think about the potential relationships between things we might not normally see as related.

Question 20

parallelism

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

polysyndeton

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

rebuttal

Answer 22

An effective rebuttal clarifies a multi-faceted argument and essentially shows the audience how an opposing viewpoint is incorrect, faulty, or incomplete.

Question 23

repetition

Answer 23

Adds emphasis or helps the audience remember key ideas.

Question 24

rhetorical questions

Answer 24

Leads the reader to question a topic and think about it further.

Question 25

syntax

Answer 25

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.