Rhetorical Device Review

repeating a grammatical structure or an arrangement of words to create rhythm and momentum

• analogy

• parallelism

• repetition

• metaphor

a form of juxtaposition that places opposite words, ideas, or qualities parallel to each other. The contast between them creates greater emphasis and clarity.

• anaphora

• anecdote

• allusion

• antithesis

the omission or absence of conjunctions (FANBOYS) between parts of a sentence

• antithesis

• anaphora

• asyndeton

• polysyndeton

a combination of two words of opposite meaning for dramatic, comedic, or provocative effect

• hyperbole

• oxymoron

• paradox

• metaphor

an obvious and deliberate exaggeration, often made for emphasis or humor

• hyperbole

• oxymoron

• metaphor

• allusion

a short story that is significant to the topic at hand, usually adding personal knowledge or experience to the topic

• analogy

• allusion

• metaphor

• anecdote

drawing a comparison that shows a similarity between two unlike things for the purpose of explaining or clarification

• analogy

• anaphora

• rhetorical question

• hyperbole

a device in which several/many coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used in succession

• polysyndeton

• oxymoron

• juxtaposition

• asyndeton

the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences (the opposite of anaphora)

• anaphora

• chiasmus

• epistrophe

• hypophora

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference to a well known person/event from literature, history, Greek mythology, or the Bible

• anecdote

• analogy

• anaphora

• allusion