Repetition in Rhetoric
This rhetorical device repeats the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
What is anaphora?
A part is used to represent the whole, like saying "all hands on deck" to refer to sailors.
What is synecdoche?
The deliberate use of many conjunctions in a row for effect, as in "We have ships and men and money and stores."
What is polysyndeton?
Exaggeration for emphasis, like "I’ve told you a million times!"
What is hyperbole?
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country" is an example of this rhetorical device.
What is chiasmus?
This device is the opposite of anaphora; it repeats a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences.
What is epistrophe?
A word or phrase replaces another related word, like "The White House issued a statement" when referring to the President.
What is metonymy?
The opposite of polysyndeton, this device removes conjunctions for a concise and impactful effect.
What is asyndeton?
A question asked for effect rather than an answer, like "Do you think I’m made of money?"
What is a rhetorical question?
"All we have to fear is fear itself" uses this rhetorical device to emphasize an abstract concept.
What is antithesis?
"She has all my love; my heart belongs to her" is an example of this device, where ideas are inverted in structure.
What is chiasmus?
This is a common phrase with a meaning that isn’t literal, such as "It's raining cats and dogs."
What is an idiom?
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" is an example of this contrast-driven rhetorical device.
What is antithesis?
A short, witty saying that contains wisdom, such as "A penny saved is a penny earned."
What is an aphorism?
The phrase "The pen is mightier than the sword" uses this device, where an object represents a larger idea.
What is metonymy?
This rhetorical device repeats grammatical structures for balance and rhythm, often seen in famous speeches.
What is parallelism?
Informal words or expressions, such as "gonna" instead of "going to," fall under this category.
What is colloquialism?
Placing two contrasting ideas close together for emphasis, as in "Darkness and light, despair and hope."
What is juxtaposition?
A brief personal story used to illustrate a point or argument.
What is an anecdote?
When a writer repeats the first part of a sentence in successive clauses, as in "I have a dream… I have a dream…"
What is anaphora?
When a writer adds more detail and explanation to emphasize a point, they use this device.
What is amplification?
A polite or mild way of saying something unpleasant, like "passed away" instead of "died."
What is euphemism?
A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals a deeper truth, such as "Less is more."
What is paradox?
Providing specific examples to clarify or strengthen an argument.
What is exemplification?
A paradoxical phrase used in everyday speech, such as "bittersweet" or "deafening silence."
What is an oxymoron?