Rhetorical Device Practice

Rhetorical Device Practice

Grouping 1 - Cliche/Idiom

A cliché can be an idiom, and an idiom can be a cliché. A cliché is an overused expression. An idiom is an expression used by a particular group of people; it is often metaphorical in nature but does not have the negative connotation that cliché has. Euphemism might fit in this group

Grouping 2 - Apostrophe / Personification

Apostrophe is speech to an inanimate object , and personification is giving human characteristics to non-human things. Both involve humanizing. Speaking aloud to someone who is not there is an example of apostrophe. Whistling wind is personification.

Grouping 3 - Paradox/Oxymoron

Oxymoron is a two-word paradox, a statement or phrase thatseems contradictory but is actually true. Jumbo shrimp is an oxymoron. You have to be cruel to be kind is a paradox.

Grouping 4 - Metaphor / Simile / Analogy

Metaphor, simile, and analogy are direct comparisons. A simile compares using like or as. An analogy is similar but more complex and extends the comparison in such a way that the two ideas or objects being discussed might be alike in so many ways that the comparison can be extended to other areas. 

Grouping 5 - Metonymy/Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a type of metonymy, the naming of a concept through association. Synecdoche is part-whole while metonymy is related object, similar to symbolism. All hands on deck is synecdoche. The White House announced a new policy is metonymy.

Grouping 6 - Juxtaposition / Antithesis / Litotes

They involve placement of words side-by-side. Juxtaposition is the placement of two contrasting ideas together so that their differences are emphasized. Antithesis is juxtaposition in balanced or parallel structure. Litotes occurs when an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary

Grouping 7 - Meiosis / Euphemism / Hyperbole

Meiosis/understatement, euphemism, and hyperbole involve making an idea smaller or larger for effect. Understatement describes something as less than it is, and euphemism softens meaning as well. Hyperbole does the opposite. 

Quiz Time

Let's see how well you can identify these rhetorical devices. The next slides will have examples of some of these devices and you must identify which rhetorical device is being used.

Multiple Choice

Hollywood has been releasing a surprising amount of sci-fi movies lately.

• synecdoche

• apostrophe

• simile

• metonymy

Multiple Choice

“Language is a road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”

• litotes

• personification

• metaphor

• simile

Multiple Choice

"Human speech is like a cracked cauldron on which we bang out tunes that make bears dance, when we want to move the stars to pity."

• personification

• metaphor

• synecdoche

• simile

Multiple Choice

"The sputtering economy could make the difference if you're trying to get a deal on a new set of wheels."

• synecdoche

• litotes

• apostrophe

• meiosis

Multiple Choice

It was an open secret that the company had used a paid volunteer to test the plastic glasses.

• oxymoron

• personification

• synecdoche

• metonymy

Multiple Choice

"If you wish to preserve your secret, wrap it up in frankness."

• oxymoron

• paradox

• litotes

• antithesis

Multiple Choice

“My shrink just killed himself and blamed me in the note.”

• synecdoche

• litote

• metaphor

• meiosis

Multiple Choice

"[W]ith a vigorous and sudden snatch, I brought my assailant harmlessly, his full length, on the not over clean ground--for we were now in the cow yard."

• synecdoche

• litote

• meiosis

• personification

Multiple Choice

“[. . .] Do deeds to make heaven weep, all earth amazed [. . .]”

• metaphor

• simile

• litote

• personification

Multiple Choice

"O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, / That I am meek and gentle with these butchers! / Thou art the ruins of the noblest man / That ever lived in the tide of times."

• oxymoron

• apostrophe

• metonymy

• synecdoche

Multiple Choice

Man proposes and God disposes.

• personification

• litote

• antithesis

• paradox

Multiple Choice

“ Here once the embattled farmers stood/And fired the shot heard round the world.”

• hyperbole

• personification

• meiosis

• simile