rhetorical terms - plainfield east high schoolpehs.psd202.org/documents/cneal/1503523014.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Rhetorical
terms
Rhetorical Devices & Terms – what
do you remember?
In squads and in your notebooks/binders, refer
to the following list of words and see what you
remember (definitions and/or examples).
Ethos/pathos/logos
Allusion, anecdote, hyperbole, metaphor,
parallelism, rhetorical questions, restatement,
understatement
Definitions
While some of these terms may be familiar, some will be
brand new.
Take additional notes as I highlight some of the newest
rhetorical devices (and clarify familiar ones as well).
Remember: these are the terms we will be using all
semester (and the SAT, too), so now is the time to start
building your vocab!
Asyndeton - definition
“Asyndeton is derived from a Greek
word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic
device used in literature and poetry to intentionally
eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the
sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This
literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the
phrase and presents it in a concise form.
Or, when you leave out conjunction junction
Asyndeton - definition
A. One type of asyndeton is used between words, phrases and a sentence.“Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,
Shrunk to this little measure?”
B. Second type is used between sentences or
clauses.
Without looking, without making a sound,
without talking
Polysyndeton – it’s sibling
Just as asyndeton doesn’t include conjunctions, polysyndeton has manyconjunctions.
Ex: “The weather is always crazy, and cold, and weird, and terrible in the winter.”
Effect? Also stressing items in a list.
Asyndeton/Ploysyndeton
Polysyndeton and asyndeton are opposite to each other.
Polysyndeton includes addition of multiple conjunctions
such as in “He eats and sleeps and drinks.” On the other
hand, asyndeton is the elimination or leaving out of
conjunctions such as in “He eats, sleeps, drinks.”
Both create a completely different effect. Polysyndeton
slows down the rhythm of speech and makes it moderate
whereas asyndeton speeds up the rhythm of the speech.
Asyndeton - function
Speed up rhythm
Focus/attract readers’ attention “since it
suggests that words, phrases and sentences
are incomplete and the readers would
have to do some work to deduce
meanings”.
Emphasize a particular idea
Anaphora – definition
the deliberate repetition of the
first part of the sentence in order to
achieve an art
has its roots in Biblical Psalms used to
emphasize certain words or phrases
Anaphora – function
Adds prominence to ideas
Add rhythm (more pleasurable to read, and easier to remember)
Appeal to the emotions of the audience, in order to persuade, inspire, motivate, and encourage them.
Example: “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.”
Antithesis – definition
Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical
device in which two opposite ideas are put together
in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.
Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel
structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e.
the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in
order to draw the attention of the listeners or
readers.
Antithesis – function
Way to exaggerate or convey ideas in a different way
When contrasting ideas are brought together, the idea
is expressed more emphatically.
Makes contrasts in order to examine pros and cons of a
subject under discussion and helps to bring forth
judgment on that particular subject.
Example: “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.”.
What’s the difference between
repetition and restatement?
Repetition repeats the same wordsRestatement repeats the same ideas, but using different words
How’s that different from parallelism?
Repetition a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of the same word, phrase or sentence.
Parallelism is a literary device that juxtaposes two or more
similar syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the
same idea with slight modifications.
Repetition refers to the repetition of words, phrases, or clauses.
Parallelism refers to the repetition of the structure.
Repetition focuses more on the meaning.
Parallelism focuses more on the structure.
Loaded language vs. elevated
language
Loaded language = fighting words
Highly emotionally charged words designed to elicit strong reactions
Elevated language = formal, dignified words
Brings dignity and solemnity to a piece (consider the language of religious texts like the Bible, or the language of epic heroes)
Euphemism
A nicer way of putting something
distasteful, sad, etc.
Effect can be to soften the blow, stay
tasteful/polite, etc.
A quick check
Using your notes, see if you can
identify what rhetorical device is
being used in the following
examples.
What device?
“This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely…….”
What device? – Asyndeton!
“This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely…….”
Function?
What device?
What device? – Anaphora!
Function?
What device?
What device? Antithesis!
Function?
Stop and think!
Who would be a credible source on…
What repairs your broken car needs?
Nutrition plan for a heart patient ?
National security status report?
What factors determined your selection?
Ethos can be subjective
Someone who may be credible to one
group, may not be credible for others.
This is especially true of politicians.
Now with pathos!
Consider: When would pathos be
used?
Why would you use this?
How does this differ from ethos?
What are some examples of logos in
the things we’ve read so far?
What type of evidence/argument uses logos?
Can it be used with the previous 2 rhetorical appeals?
Memorize rhetorical functions
Keep this sheet handy, and start memorizing these terms. We will use them all semester in analyzing arguments.
This will also help you do well on the SAT in Spring.