Rhetorical

terms

Rhetorical Devices & Terms – what

do you remember?

In squads and in your notebooks/binders, refer

to the following list of words and see what you

remember (definitions and/or examples).

Ethos/pathos/logos

Allusion, anecdote, hyperbole, metaphor,

parallelism, rhetorical questions, restatement,

understatement

Definitions

While some of these terms may be familiar, some will be

brand new.

Take additional notes as I highlight some of the newest

rhetorical devices (and clarify familiar ones as well).

Remember: these are the terms we will be using all

semester (and the SAT, too), so now is the time to start

building your vocab!

Asyndeton - definition

“Asyndeton is derived from a Greek

word asyndeton which means unconnected. It is a stylistic

device used in literature and poetry to intentionally

eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the

sentence, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. This

literary tool helps in reducing the indirect meaning of the

phrase and presents it in a concise form.

Or, when you leave out conjunction junction

Asyndeton - definition

A. One type of asyndeton is used between words, phrases and a sentence.“Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils,

Shrunk to this little measure?”

B. Second type is used between sentences or

clauses.

Without looking, without making a sound,

without talking

Polysyndeton – it’s sibling

Just as asyndeton doesn’t include conjunctions, polysyndeton has manyconjunctions.

Ex: “The weather is always crazy, and cold, and weird, and terrible in the winter.”

Effect? Also stressing items in a list.

Asyndeton/Ploysyndeton

Polysyndeton and asyndeton are opposite to each other.

Polysyndeton includes addition of multiple conjunctions

such as in “He eats and sleeps and drinks.” On the other

hand, asyndeton is the elimination or leaving out of

conjunctions such as in “He eats, sleeps, drinks.”

Both create a completely different effect. Polysyndeton

slows down the rhythm of speech and makes it moderate

whereas asyndeton speeds up the rhythm of the speech.

Asyndeton - function

Speed up rhythm

Focus/attract readers’ attention “since it

suggests that words, phrases and sentences

are incomplete and the readers would

have to do some work to deduce

meanings”.

Emphasize a particular idea

Anaphora – definition

the deliberate repetition of the

first part of the sentence in order to

achieve an art

has its roots in Biblical Psalms used to

emphasize certain words or phrases

Anaphora – function

Adds prominence to ideas

Add rhythm (more pleasurable to read, and easier to remember)

Appeal to the emotions of the audience, in order to persuade, inspire, motivate, and encourage them.

Example: “Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.”

Antithesis – definition

Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical

device in which two opposite ideas are put together

in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect.

Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel

structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e.

the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in

order to draw the attention of the listeners or

readers.

Antithesis – function

Way to exaggerate or convey ideas in a different way

When contrasting ideas are brought together, the idea

is expressed more emphatically.

Makes contrasts in order to examine pros and cons of a

subject under discussion and helps to bring forth

judgment on that particular subject.

Example: “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.”.

What’s the difference between

repetition and restatement?

Repetition repeats the same wordsRestatement repeats the same ideas, but using different words

How’s that different from parallelism?

Repetition a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of the same word, phrase or sentence.

Parallelism is a literary device that juxtaposes two or more

similar syntactic constructions, especially those expressing the

same idea with slight modifications.

Repetition refers to the repetition of words, phrases, or clauses.

Parallelism refers to the repetition of the structure.

Repetition focuses more on the meaning.

Parallelism focuses more on the structure.

Loaded language vs. elevated

language

Loaded language = fighting words

Highly emotionally charged words designed to elicit strong reactions

Elevated language = formal, dignified words

Brings dignity and solemnity to a piece (consider the language of religious texts like the Bible, or the language of epic heroes)

Euphemism

A nicer way of putting something

distasteful, sad, etc.

Effect can be to soften the blow, stay

tasteful/polite, etc.

Hyperbole/Understatement

Hyperbole – over

exaggeration

Understatement – the direct

opposite.

A quick check

Using your notes, see if you can

identify what rhetorical device is

being used in the following

examples.

What device?

“This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely…….”

What device? – Asyndeton!

“This is the villain among you who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely…….”

Function?

What device?

What device? – Anaphora!

Function?

What device?

What device? Antithesis!

Function?

Persuasive appeals

Brainstorm:

Examples of ethos

Consider:

When would ethos be

used?

Why would you use this?

Ethos – credibility

Can be from authority

figures… Or those viewed

with authority.

Stop and think!

Who would be a credible source on…

What repairs your broken car needs?

Nutrition plan for a heart patient ?

National security status report?

What factors determined your selection?

What would the following people be

experts on?

You’re Right! Humanitarian work with

the UN!

Ethos can be subjective

Someone who may be credible to one

group, may not be credible for others.

This is especially true of politicians.

Pathos is about feeling

Now with pathos!

Consider: When would pathos be

used?

Why would you use this?

How does this differ from ethos?

Logos = logic

Facts,

evidence,

reason

What are some examples of logos in

the things we’ve read so far?

What type of evidence/argument uses logos?

Can it be used with the previous 2 rhetorical appeals?

Memorize rhetorical functions

Keep this sheet handy, and start memorizing these terms. We will use them all semester in analyzing arguments.

This will also help you do well on the SAT in Spring.

Homework: rhetorical appeal poster

Due tomorrow

Create a one page poster for your assigned rhetorical device. Your poster must include:

Name of device

Simple definition

Example

Illustration of some kind