Rhetorical Devices Terms #3

Inverted Sentence

A sentence that is inverted, one which the subject comes after the verb for emphasis. E: Bless are the meek. (As opposed to: The meek are blessed) Up jumped the frog. (As opposed to: The frog jumped up)

Extended Metaphor

D: A comparison between two unlike things that continues throughout a series of sentences. E: In The Things They Carried, there is an extended metaphor describing O'Brien ice-skating through his life

Concession

D: A device used in argumentative writing where one acknowledges a point made by one's opponent (logical) E: "It is true that..." "Agreed that..."

Chiasmus

D: A figure of speech containing two phrases that are parallel but inverted to each other-- "reverse parallelism". E: You can take the patriot out of the country but you cannot take the country out of the patriot. We live to die and die to live.

Apostrophe

D: A figure of speech in which an absent person or personified object is addressed by a speaker E: Ugh, cell phone, why won't you load my messages? Oh Starbucks, how I love you! Your medium dark roast allowed me to survive that meeting!

Isocolon

D: A form of parallel structure in which the parallel elements are similar in both structure and length. E: I came, I saw, I conquered. American by Birth. Rebel by Choice.

Anecdote

D: A short verbal accounting of a funny, amusing, interesting event or incident. The story is usually a reminiscence from the teller's life but at best is a related story of fact, as opposed to a contrived work of fiction. E: A mother tells her son a story about a family vacation when she was growing up. (When I was a kid...)

Rhetorical Strategy

D: A way or method of presenting a subject--narration, compare/contrast, description. Organizing composition for the best effect.

Appositive

D: A word or phrase that follow a noun or pro-noun for emphasis or clarity. E: The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table. (In between the comma is the appositive clarifying the insect)

Ambiguity/Ambiguous

D: A word, phrase or statement which contains more than one meaning. E: Each of us saw her duck.

Analogy

D: An analogy is a literary device that helps to establish a relationship based on similarities between two concepts or ideas. Compares 2 things (typically one well known to one less well known) E: In the same way as one cannot have the rainbow without the rain, one cannot achieve success and riches without hard work. Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer.

Antithesis

D: An antithesis is used when the writer employs two sentences of contrasting meanings in close proximity to one another. Uses a contrast in language to emphasize a contrast in ideas. E: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. To err is human; to forgive divine.

Aphorism

D: An aphorism is a concise statement that is made in a matter of fact tone to state a principle or an opinion that is generally understood to be a universal truth. Statement of truth expressed in a concise/witty manner. E: The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow. Money will buy a fine dog but only kindness will make him wag his tail.

Imperative

D: Declaring/issuing a common. E: Kick the ball. Bring me my phone.

Anaphora

D: Device in which the writes repeat a word or phrase at the beginning of multiple clauses or sentences. E: Everyday, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better. My life is my purpose. my life is my goal. My life is my inspiration.

Syllogsim

D: Device that starts an argument with a reference to something general & then it draws a conclusion about something more specific. E: All men are mortal. John is a man therefore Join is mortal. All birds have two legs and wings. A dove is a bird. A dove has two legs and wings.

Exposition

D: Device used to introduce background information about events, settings, characters, etc. to the audience. E: Star Wars: "A long time ago in a galaxy far away, far away..." "You know who I'm talking about: Betty, the one who used to work at the library and always wears her hair in a bun."

Oxymoron

D: Oxymoron is a significant literary device as it allows the author to use contradictory, contrasting concepts placed together in a manner that actually ends up making sense in a strange, and slightly complex manner. E: "He possessed a cold fire in his eyes" "I can resist anything, except temptation."

Metonomy

D: Refers to the practice of not using the formal word for an object or subject and instead referring to it by using another word that is intricately linked to the formal name or word. It is the practice of substituting the main word with a word that is closely linked to it. E: Let me give you a hand. (Hand replaces "help") The pen is mightier than the sword. (Pen refers to written words and sword to military force.)

Paradox

D: Refers to the use of concepts or ideas that are contradictory to one another, yet, when placed together hold significant value on several levels. The uniqueness of paradoxes lies in the fact that a deeper level of meaning and significance is not revealed at first glace, but when it does crystallize, it provides astonishing insight. E: The Pinocchio Paradox: Pinocchio said my nose will grow. He lied so his nose will grow but that means he was telling the truth so it wasn't a lie meaning that his nose shouldn't grow. (It never really ends..) "I'm nobody" "A rich man is no richer than a poor man"

Recasting a Cliche

D: Remaking a tired, worn-out expression to enhance your ideas & touch a familiar chord with your readers. E: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" -> "Love is in the heart of the beholder".

Invective

D: Speech or writing that attacks, insults, or denounces a person, topic, or institution (using abusive/negative language). E: Calling a person a chicken when they are unwilling to jump off the top of a building. "His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." Mae West

Colloquial

D: Use of informal words, phrases or even slang in a piece of writing/ E: He's going to go bananas/nuts.

Pedantic Diction

D: Writing/words that border on lecturing. Scholarly, academic & often overly difficulty (formal). E: "Though I employ so much of my time in writing to you, I confess I have often my doubts whether it is to any purpose..."