Rhetorical Devices: Quick Overview

Using several words that start with similar sounds together. (”Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden…” – JFK 1961)

Allusion

References to other texts, direct or indirect. The Bible is a common point of reference in many American speeches.

Antithesis*

Using two opposite ideas together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.

Lists

Listing several things to make a point clear. A list of three is called a tricolon. (“Friends, Romans, Countrymen – Shakespeare. “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…”)

Metaphor*

Using figurative language to make the language more interesting and the message more convincing. (”Our glorious democracy is a beacon of light in a barbaric world”!) If the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ are used, it is called a simile*.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech where two words with opposing meaning are used together intentionally. (bittersweet, pretty ugly, clearly confused, bad luck, seriously funny, act naturally, virtual reality…)

Parallelism*

Using sentences with similar structure together. (”Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn.” - Benjamin Franklin)

Repetition

Repetition of words or phrases to make the text more memorable. Anaphor is the term for repetition of words at the beginning of sentences. (”I have a dream…I have a dream… I have a dream today!” – Martin Luther King, Jr.)