In this guide, I\u2019m going to be delving into the ins and outs of a rhetorical device, including what a rhetorical device is (in common use and in literature), the different types of rhetorical devices, and the purpose of a rhetorical device in a novel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are Rhetorical Devices? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A rhetorical device (otherwise known as a stylistic device, a persuasive device or more simply, rhetoric) is a technique or type of language that is used by a speaker or an author<\/a> for the purpose of evoking a particular reaction from the listener or reader or persuading them to think in a certain way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned above, rhetoric can be used by pretty much anyone in day-to-day communication. For example, any time you try to inform, persuade or debate with someone, you\u2019ll be engaging in rhetoric. Or if you\u2019ve ever found yourself being moved emotionally by someone\u2019s speech or changed your mind about a certain topic, you\u2019ve experienced the power of rhetoric in practice. Rhetorical devices in speech can be used in many different ways: your tone of voice, emphasis on certain words, sentence structure and repetition, or even asking questions for emphasis rather than for the answer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In literature, you will have seen rhetoric devices used abundantly in the form of similes, alliteration and metaphors<\/a> which are woven beautifully into prose. But rhetoric can be written into dialogue<\/a> as well, although this is somewhat trickier as you will need to find a way of integrating it naturally so as not to disturb the authenticity of speech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let\u2019s move on to consider the different types of rhetorical devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhetorical devices are sometimes confused with literary devices<\/a>. And no wonder because there is plenty of overlap between the two, and they both seek to serve the same ultimate purpose: to elevate one\u2019s writing<\/a> from good to magnificent. And what writer wouldn\u2019t want that as their goal? <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is, however, one significant difference between the two. While literary devices express ideas artistically, rhetoric devices are confined to the following four specific ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve considered the four types of rhetorical device, let\u2019s look at some common rhetorical devices so we can understand how they can be used in practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be prepared for some complicated and hard-to-pronounce words! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alliteration. <\/strong>Let\u2019s start with one that you will be familiar with. <\/strong>This is a sonic device, <\/strong>involving the repetition of the initial sound of each word (e.g. Maya melted marzipan in the microwave). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anacoluthon. <\/strong>A mouthful of a word, which involves the unexpected shift or change in the syntax or structure of a sentence. This can be used to grab the reader\u2019s attention and shift it in another direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Apophasis. <\/strong>This device creates irony. The narrator will attempt to deny something while still saying that exact thing. For example, a phrase that begins with \u201cit goes without saying\u2019\u2019 and is followed by the exact thing that the narrator says they are not going to say is an apophasis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Litotes. <\/strong>This is an ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. \u201cHe\u2019s no fool\u201d is a great example of a litotes in action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meiosis. <\/strong>Now a word that is less commonplace. It is a type of euphemism that is used intentionally to undermine the size or importance of its subject and is the opposite of hyperbole or exaggeration. An example of this is if someone who was badly injured (with a broken leg or deep wound etc) proclaimed \u201cit\u2019s just a scratch\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oxymoron. <\/strong>A word that might take you back to English class at school, this is a device that is used where two things are placed in direct comparison to one another, even though they are complete opposites. This is a powerful figure of speech that can emphasise a specific point in your writing. A classic example is \u201cthe silence was deafening\u201d. Hands up if you\u2019ve used that one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Syllepsis. <\/strong>The use of a word in the same grammatical relation to two adjacent words in the same context with one literal and the other metaphorical in sense. \u201cHe blew his nose and then he blew my mind.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zeugma.<\/strong> This is the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words, usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one. For example, \u201cshe opened the door to him and to her soul\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you think of any examples where rhetorical devices have been used in literature? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are a few that come to my mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn, beware, my lord, of jealousy!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The meat it feeds on\u2026<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger, <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, oh, what damned minutes tell he o\u2019er<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Who dotes, yet doubts \u2013 suspects, yet soundly loves\u2026<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n She did deceive her father, marrying you\u2026<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n She loved them most\u2026<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n I humbly beseech you of your pardon<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n For too much loving you\u2026<\/em>\u2019\u2019 <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In this excerpt, Lago convinces Othello with logic and reasoning to make him doubtful of the secret relationship between Desdemona and Cassio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf growing up is painful for the South Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.\u2019\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Angelou\u2019s memoir focuses on the emotional events of her life from early childhood through to adolescence. She uses pathos throughout to appeal to the reader\u2019s emotions and to evoke sympathy for her experiences, especially of trauma, abuse and racism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual.\u2019\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In this extract, the author is trying to create a sense of familiarity with the audience, who he hopes will agree with his opinions on freedom. By suggesting similarities of opinion, Steinbeck builds credibility as a narrator<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComrades, you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. But I will come to the dream later. I have something else to say first. I do not think, comrades, that I shall be with you for many months longer, and before I die, I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. I have had a long life, I have had much time for thought as I lay\u202falone in my stall, and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. It is about this that I wish to speak to you.\u2019\u2019<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This is Old Major’s speech where he addresses the animals, calling them his comrades, saying that he has a dream and that the moment has arrived that he should relate this dream to them. The timing of his speech is important as he stresses that he may not live long, so now is the right time to pass on his wisdom. This is the best use of Kairos in a practical way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So now that we\u2019ve seen how famous authors have used rhetorical devices in their writing, how can we mere mortals do the same? <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m going to share my top three tips for doing so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rhetorical devices can be used to create emphasis in your story. There are a number of different ways you can do this, from analogies, such as similes and metaphors, to repeating words or phrases within a sentence while adding more detail (amplification) and repeating an idea using different words (commoratio). An example of the latter is, \u201cShe was done. Finished. Dead.\u2019\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can strengthen a character\u2019s voice by paying attention to the rhythm of our writing. Rhythmic prose can be more lyrical, smooth, or driving depending on how we decide to use rhetorical devices. We can repeat a word or phrase at the beginning of two or more phrases (anaphora), or at the end of the phrase (epistrophe). For example, \u201cShe would die. He would die. They\u2019d all die.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can use rhetorical devices to add touches of humour to our prose, even if we\u2019re not writing a romantic<\/a> comedy. Use pleonasm (using more words than necessary), tmesis (splitting a word and adding a word in the middle), antonomasia (using a description as a proper name) or zeugma (using an out-of-sync phrase for the last item of a list). For example, \u201cbefore meeting up with her boss, she grabbed her diary, her laptop and her big-girl panties\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, there we have it, your crash course in rhetorical devices! <\/p>\n\n\n\nTypes Of Rhetorical Devices <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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List Of Common Rhetorical Devices <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nExamples Of Rhetorical Devices <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Logos<\/strong>– Othello<\/em> By William Shakespeare<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pathos<\/strong>– I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings <\/em>By Maya Angelou <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ethos<\/strong>– East of Eden<\/em> By John Steinbeck <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Kairos<\/strong>– Animal Farm<\/em> By George Orwell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How To Use Rhetorical Devices In Your Writing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Adding Emphasis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Creating Rhythm <\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Adding Humour<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n