Sound Devices
Repeating key words, phrases, or ideas that reinforce an argument
Repetition
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Simile
Using descriptive language that appeals to the 5 senses to create a mental picture
Imagery
Asking questions without providing answers that can engage the reader's critical thinking
Rhetorical Questions
When an author appeals to reason or logical arguments
Logos
Repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a sentence;
"Sally sells seashells by the seashore."
Alliteration
A direct comparison;
"He is a shining star"
Metaphor
Using an object, person, or idea to represent something deeper;
"A heart representing love"
Symbolism
Personal stories used to make an argument more relatable or emotional
Anecdotes
Ethos
Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words;
"pitter-patter"
Consonance
Giving human qualities to non-human things;
"The wind whispered through the trees."
When something unexpected happens or the opposite of what you expect occurs;
"A fire station burning down"
Irony
When an author uses feelings such as sympathy to increase support for their viewpoint
Appeals to Emotion
When an author appeals to people's emotions or feelings
Pathos
Words that imitate sounds;
"buzz" or "meow"
Onomatopoeia
A phrase that does not mean what it says literally;
"It's raining cats and dogs."
Idiom
Combining contradictory or opposite words;
"jumbo shrimp"
Oxymoron
Using parallel sentence structures or phrases for emphasis
Parallelism
Making references to well-known events, people, places, or stories to add depth or meaning to an argument
Allusion
Repetition of vowel sounds within words;
"The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain."
Assonance
An extreme exaggeration;
"I have a million things to do."
Hyperbole
Overused phrases or expressions that have lost their originality or impact;
"That was a piece of cake!"
Cliché
When an author cites experts or authorities in a field to lend credibility to an argument
Appeals to Authority
Using a mild or less direct word or phrase to replace a harsh one;
"He passed away." vs "He died."
Euphemism