Rhetorical Devices Quiz

What is Alliteration?

• The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound

• A reference to a generally familiar person, place or thing, whether real or legendary

• A comparison of two things, often a dissimilar nature yet alike in certain aspects, in order to suggest that what is true of one applies to the other

• The repetition of a word, or group of words, at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences or lines

  of poetry

Answer explanation

Example: The majestic, the magnificent Mississippi.

What is Allusion?

• The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound

• A comparison of two things, often a dissimilar nature yet alike in certain aspects, in order to suggest

  that what is true of one applies to the other

• A reference to a generally familiar person, place or thing, whether real or legendary

• A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point.

Answer explanation

Example: To eat or not to eat.

What is Analogy?

• The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound

• A comparison of two things, often a dissimilar nature yet alike in certain aspects, in order to suggest that what is true of one applies to the other

• A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point. Forms a more human connection (pathos) between audience and speaker.

• A reference to a generally familiar person, place or thing, whether real or legendary

Answer explanation

Example: Writing a book of poetry is like dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo.

What is Anaphora

• The repetition of a word, or group of words, at the beginning of successive clauses, sentences or lines

  of poetry

• The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound

• A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point. Forms a more human connection (pathos) between audience and speaker.

• Repetition of words in reverse order

Answer explanation

Example: Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.

Example: Fail to plan, to fail.

What is Anecdote?

• The repetition in successive words of the same initial consonant sound or of any vowel sound

• Repetition of words in reverse order

• A reference to a generally familiar person, place or thing, whether real or legendary

• A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point. Forms a more human connection (pathos) between audience and speaker.

What is Antimetabole?

• Repetition of words in reverse order

• Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or

  juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

• Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. It creates an emotional

  feeling of “building up” and that there is more to follow.

• A short, interesting or amusing story about a particular person or event told to make a point. Forms a more human connection (pathos) between audience and speaker.

What is Antithesis?

• The practise of ending a long paragraph or one section of an essay by returning to an image,

  an idea, or a statement that occurs in the beginning

• The repetition of internal vowel sounds in closely following words.

• Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. It creates an emotional

  feeling of “building up” and that there is more to follow.

• Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or

  juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

What is Assonance?

• Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or

  juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

• The repetition of internal vowel sounds in closely following words.

• Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. It creates an emotional

  feeling of “building up” and that there is more to follow.

• The practise of ending a long paragraph or one section of an essay by returning to an image,

  an idea, or a statement that occurs in the beginning

What is Asyndeton?

• A picture made with words although images may also appeal to touch, hearing, and taste

  -in a much broader sense, imagery refers to an author’s use of figures of speech of any kind

• Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or

  juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

• Not the thing or idea the word stands for (denotation), but the attitudes, feelings and

  emotions aroused by the word

• Omission of conjunctions between coordinate phrases, clauses, or words. It creates an emotional

  feeling of “building up” and that there is more to follow.

What is "Closing by Return?"

• The practise of ending a long paragraph or one section of an essay by returning to an image,

  an idea, or a statement that occurs in the beginning

• Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or

  juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

• Not the thing or idea the word stands for (denotation), but the attitudes, feelings and

  emotions aroused by the word

• Sentence used to command, enjoin, implore, or entreat