Transactional Writing Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Simile
Comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Metaphor
Comparison between two things, not literally applicable.
Juxtaposition
Two contrasting ideas side by side for effect.
Repetition
Using word/phrase/idea multiple times.
Semantic field
Constant theme/image throughout text.
Rhetorical Question
Question used for rhetorical effect, needs to be answered in audience’s head, put thought in their mind + do something with it e.g return to it at end of piece of writing.
Tricolon
Using three words/phrases to describe something.
Direct Address
When you directly speak to your audience e.g personal pronouns.
Hyperbole
When you over exaggerate something.
Varied Sentence Structures
When you use different sentence structures by using either simple (short) or complex sentences.
Personal Pronouns
They can either be dividing or unifying.
Lists
They’re either polysyndetic or asyndetic.
Polysyndetic List
List with conjunctions (e.g and/but/or).
Asyndetic List
List with no conjunctions (usually there are just commas).
Anecdote
Short funny/interesting story of real incident or person.
Emotive Language
Language that evokes emotions.
Fact/Statistic
Needs to be plausible, but it can be made up, attribute it.
Opinion as Fact
When you say your opinion as if it’s fact
Humour
Consists of comedy + sarcasm, use when appropriate + not too often.
Irony
Expressing meaning by using language that normally means opposite.
Analogy
Comparison between two or more things
Contrast
When things are different to one another, can use at beginning + end of piece of writing.
Antithesis
Exact opposite of something.
Unifying Language
When you bring things together e.g personal pronouns like ‘royal’ we.
Euphemism
Saying something in nicer way to avoid saying something considered unpleasant.
Allusion
Evoking something without directly saying it.
Synecdoche
Something is made to represent whole or vice versa.
