Rhetorical Devices
Essential Question: _______________________________________________________________
Questions:
Rhetorical devices may sound like a new concept, but it’s been with us all of our lives.
You may be familiar with some of these figures of speech: __________, __________,
__________, __________, etc. They are used in both poetry and prose to make ideas
not only memorable, but lead to an overall theme.
These devices aren’t just important in __________ and __________; other writers use
them to make their __________ stand out. For centuries speakers and writers have
known that rhetorical devices affect listeners and readers in powerful ways.
The main purpose of a rhetorical device in a non-fiction piece is to __________.
In addition to the rhetorical devices named above, the following devices are common
across many persuasive works:
__________ - uses the same __________ or __________ more than once for emphasis.
In a longer piece like a poem, entire stanzas may repeat for emphasis.
…a government of the people, for the people, by the people... –from “The
Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln
__________ - The __________ of the same word or group of words at the__________ of
successive clauses.
Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread,
water and salt for all. –from “Glory and Hope” by Nelson Mandela
__________ - uses __________ grammatical constructions to express ideas that are
related or equal in importance. Often creates a rhythm. In other words, the use of a
series of words, phrases, or sentences that have similar grammatical form/__________.
We cannot, we must not, refuse to protect the right of every American to vote in
every election. . . . And we ought not, and we cannot, and must not wait
another eight months before we get a bill. –from “We Shall Overcome” by Lyndon
Baines Johnson
__________ - makes a __________ of likeness between two otherwise dissimilar
things/subjects; a familiar object or idea is used to explain a more __________ concept.
Have you heard the canned, frozen and processed product being dished up to
the world as American popular music today? –from a commencement address
by Billy Joel
__________ - brief, often direct __________ to a person, place, event, work of art,
literature, or music which the author assumes the reader will__________.
Maycomb County had been recently told it had nothing to fear but fear itself.from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in reference to FDRs first inaugural
address.
Summary: