Rhetorical devices are linguistic tools that imply the use of different patterns, sounds, and types of sentence structure to get a certain reaction from an audience. Various rhetorical devices can be used to build an argument or to make it more persuasive. Check out this quick guide from writers-house.com to learn to use rhetorical devices.
Every time you argue with someone, try to inform or persuade them, you’re dealing with rhetoric. If you’ve ever heard a speech and had a strong emotional reaction or changed your opinion on a certain topic, it was the effect of rhetoric. Having a basic knowledge of rhetorical devices, you can convey your ideas in a more persuasive way, while also improving your ability to process information.
Types of Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical devices can be divided into the following four categories:
Logos
This type of rhetorical devices relies on reasoning and logic. Quite often, these logical devices involve the use of proven facts and statistics.
Pathos
This type of rhetorical devices is completely different from the previous one, as it relies on emotions instead of logic. It means, that you may use rhetorics to invoke sympathy, as well as to make your audience excited or angry about something.
Ethos
Ethical rhetorical devices are aimed to convince the audience using authoritative opinions. In this case, you want the audience to take your words seriously because of your credibility or status.
Kairos
This category of rhetorical devices is less common and the most difficult. Such devices are based on the idea of timeliness. Their purpose is to persuade the audience that the time has come for a certain action or idea.
Common Rhetorical Devices
Rhetoric was invented in ancient times so most of the terminology is of Greek origin. However, although rhetoric is so old, it’s as relevant and useful as a thousand years ago. Here are the most common and important rhetorical devices that you should know and understand:
1. Alliteration implies repeating the first sound of each word, for example: “Alan the antelope ate asparagus.”
2. Onomatopoeia is also a sonic device which implies using words that imitate real-life sounds, such as “boom,” or “crack.”
3. Cacophony implies using combinations of consonant sounds for a displeasing effect.
4. Anaphora is a rhetorical device that means repeating certain phrases and words at the beginning of different sentences to improve sentiment. A good example of anaphora is Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I have a dream.”
5. Humor is aimed to make the audience agree with the speaker by building connection and identification. Humor can also help to refute the opposing point of view by making it look ridiculous.
6. Meiosis is used to diminish an opponent’s argument by understating the importance of the subject.
7. Apophasis is a strategy that implies denying the necessity of the subject.
8. Hyperbole is based on exaggeration. It appeals to emotions and raises the bar for the next speaker. For example, if you say that your idea will change the world, more moderate statements will look uninspiring and weak.
9. Chiasmus means changing the order of words to create a more powerful impression. An example of chiasmus is John F. Kennedy’s famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
10. Dialogismus is a rhetorical device that imagining someone else’s thoughts or words, speaking in another person’s voice, and explaining or undermining the original statement.
11. Anacoluthon is a quick transition to a new, unrelated idea in the middle of the sentence. Lousy anacoluthon may look like a grammatical mistake, but the proper use of this device allows you to stress an important idea.
12. Anadiplosis implies ending one sentence and beginning the next one with the same word, seamlessly leading your audience to a certain point.
13. Hypophora means asking a question and immediately providing the answer. Why is hypophora useful? It’s useful because it stimulates interest and serves as a transition.
14. Eutrepismus is a very common rhetorical device that involves listing points in sequential order. First, such an approach makes you sound authoritative and official. Secondly, it makes your speech well-structured and clear. Thirdly and lastly, it helps your audience keep track of your points.
15. Antiphrasis is an ironical device that involves comparing the literal meaning of a statement and its actual meaning.
16. Expeditio implies listing different possibilities and then explaining why none of them is a good option. This approach makes your audience think that you’ve considered all the options, while in fact, you’ve been just leading them to the chosen point.
17. Asterismos. Listen, this technique means using a meaningless word at the beginning of the sentence to grab attention. It will help you if you think that your audience is getting bored.
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