Transcript Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices

 art
of argument and discourse
(conversation and communication)
 study
of effective speaking and
writing
 study
 the
of the effectiveness of language
art of persuasion
 how
to use words, voice, and body to
communicate
› *how to give your message the
greatest impact

to communicate better and effectively

understand how human communication
functions and how language works

analyze the person’s message
› what is he REALLY saying?
› HOW is he saying it?
› what makes it POWERFUL? (or is it not?)
Alliteration
 Allusion
 Hyperbole
 Metaphor
 Personification
 Resonance
 Rhetorical Question
 Simile


Repetition of initial (first letter) consonant

veni, vini, vici

a brief, indirect reference to someone or
something, such as a person, historical
event, speech, etc.
› MLK, Jr. started his speech, “Five score years
ago…”
› Allusion to the Gettysburg Address, “Four
score and seven years ago…”

Exaggeration

"If you call me that name again, I'm
going to explode!“

“I’ve told you a million times!”

a comparison of two unlike things

not literally applicable but suggests a
resemblance to affect the reader in an
important way

“Juliet is the sun.”
attributing human qualities to something
non-human
 (attributing personality to a non-personal
thing)


The wind roared and howled.

(“England expects every man to do his
duty.” –Lord Nelson)

The quality in a sound of being deep, full,
and reverberating

The ability to evoke or suggest images,
memories, and emotions

“Tide” detergent ads
› Mothers are busy doing laundry in between
sports practices and driving their children around
in mini vans. Their consistent recognition with
soccer moms makes “Tide” a favorite pick
among women with children who are very
involved in activities.

a question posed for its persuasive effect
without the expectation of a reply

“Are you kidding?”

“Could switching to Geico really save
you 15% or more on car insurance?”

a comparison between two things using
like or as
"Good coffee is like friendship: rich and
warm and strong."
(slogan of Pan-American Coffee Bureau)
 “Life is like a box of chocolates: you
never know what you’re gonna get.”
(Forrest Gump)


Tomlinson, James. “Communication Studies.” 9
December 2011.
<http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/jtomlins/rhetorical_de
vices.htm>.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_an_example_o
f_amplification_in_literature

http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/simileterm.htm