EQ: What are rhetorical devices? Rhetorical devices are techniques

writers use to enhance their arguments and make their writing effective.

EQ: What are some of the common rhetorical devices I can use in my essay?

Repetition Parallelism Rhetorical Question Argument by Analogy Loaded Language

Repetition

Repetition is the repeated use of a word, phrase, or clause more than once for emphasis.

Repetition

The curfew law should be repealed—repealed immediately in fairness to the community, the police and the students.

RepetitionI have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification – one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

Parallelism

Parallelism is the repetition of the same grammatical form to express equal, or parallel ideas.

Parallelism

This week, the Riverdale High School student council had to cancel its annual charity Bowl-a-Thon—not because of a lack of interest, not because of a shortage of funds, and not because of a failure to sign up enough enthusiastic volunteers.

Parallelism

"...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.“

-- Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address 

Parallelism

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.“

-- John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

Parallelism

Consider Neil Armstrong’s famous line spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969:

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Rhetorical Question

Rhetorical questions are questions that are not meant to be answered but are asked for effect.

Common rhetorical questions “Who knows?” “Are you stupid?” “Why not?”  “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” “What business is it of yours?” “Are you kidding?” “Is the Pope Catholic?”

Rhetorical Questions

“Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?”

–JFK Inaugural Address

Rhetorical Question

Should students who are out late because of such events be jailed or fined? Should such school activities be dropped?

Argument by Analogy

Argument by analogy draws a parallel between basically dissimilar events or situations.

Example

Capitalists are like vampires.

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what youʼre gonna get.”

- Forrest Gump

Example

If the curfew law aims to reduce youth crime, it mistakenly targets the wrong hours. It is much like shutting the corral gate after the horses have escaped.

Loaded Words

Loaded words carry strong emotional associations—either positive or negative emotions

Negative and PositiveLoaded Language Examples:

Bureaucrat vs. public servant Pro-death vs. pro-choice Regime vs. government Elitist vs. expert Infanticide or child murder vs. abortion Put up with vs. tolerate Put at a loss vs. bewilder

Unloaded Loaded

Plant Weed

Animal Beast

Fair Language: “You have asked for my views on the man named Mr. Smithers.  He has been a valued employee here for years.  If you can find a position for him in the management sector of your company, I will be pleased.”

  Loaded Language: “You have asked for my

views on that creature named Smithers.  He has been a clinging nuisance here for ages.  If you can find a crevice for him in the woodwork of your sweatshop, I will be relieved.”

Example

Our baseball team won the tournament, pulverizing the Brantley County Herons in the final.