Devices
Giving human qualities to nonhuman things.
Personification
a short, usually personal story, used to illustrate a particular point
anecdote
The strategic use of a question that's meant to plant a particular idea into the audience's head.
rhetorical question
"Look at Benedict Arnold over here, selling us out."
allusion
to the famous traitor, Benedict Arnold.
“Justice means fairness, not revenge.”
Definition
To give or list specific instances of and idea or concept in order to support a point
Exemplification
Putting ideas together to highlight specific differences
Contrast
Juxtaposition
To acknowledge, validate, or credit parts of an opposing argument, followed by an immediate rebuttal (usually against the very same argument that was just credited)
concession
refutation
"So last night I stayed up until about 4am cramming to study for my rhetorical devices quiz. I started to get super sleepy around 3, but then debated what to do because I was afraid of oversleeping if I went to bed too late. Eventually I fell asleep in with my laptop on my chest. And I did in fact oversleep."
anecdote
"The Institute of Scientific Research of Science concluded in a recent study that smoking is bad for you."
testimony
An extreme exaggeration
hyperbole
When a speaker makes a specific request for the audience to do something in reaction to the message
call to action
When a speaker includes, quotes, or cites the opinion or support of another authority or personal witness.
testimony
"Please do the right thing and sign the petition today."
call to action
"All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages"
simile / metaphor
Putting ideas together to highlight their specific similarities
comparison
A noticeable turn or divergence from one mood or attitude during a speech to another
tonal shift
A reference to a well known person, historical event, or work of art.
allusion
“Some say video games are a waste of time. It can be difficult to dispute that because games are in fact a leisure activity meant to pass the time. However, studies show they improve problem-solving and hand-eye coordination. It's also the livelihood of thousands of players that stream content as a form of income. ”
concession and refutation
“She spoke softly, but her message was loud.”
Contrast
specific word choice that's made to unite or bring together members of the audience
unifying diction
Figurative language devices used to compare two unlike ideas or objects to highlight similarities
simile
metaphor
A demonstration or suggestion of how one thing leads to another.
cause and effect
causation
"If you skip breakfast, you run the risk of losing focus during class, especially later in the day."
cause and effect
“Justice stood tall in the courtroom.”
personification
metaphor