Rhetorical Strategies Essays - Linguistics, Logic, Literature

Rhetorical Strategies By: Ryan Riffle Metaphor Definition: A figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance. Example: I tried to climb into Jems skin and walk around in it (57). To Kill A Mockingbird Personification Definition: Providing human characteristics to a non-human/non-living thing. Example: Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. - To Kill A Mockingbird Tone Definition: The way/attitude in which an author writes. Example: "Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. - To Kill A Mockingbird Claim Defintion: A statement arguable but used as a primary point to support or prove an argument is called a claim. Example: All animals are equal -Animal Farm by George Orwell Anaphora Definition: The use of a word referring to or replacing a word previously used in the sentence, to avoid repetition. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens Parallelism Definition: The use of components in a sentence that are grammatically the same: or similar in their construction, sound, meaning, or meter. Example: Like father, like son Juxtaposition Definition: placing two elements or words side by side and letting the reader or viewer compare them Example: Young and Old, Dark and Light Inferences Definition: Used in literature and daily life where logical deductions are made based on premises assumed to be true. Example: Bob knows that Baltimore is known for its crabcakes and Bob is going to a seafood restaurant in Baltimore for dinner tonight. Bob can infer that the restaurant will likely serve crabcakes. Epistrophe Definition: The repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Example: Where now? Who now? When now? -The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett Allusion Definition: An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning explicitly. Example: This place is like a Garden of Eden. This is a biblical allusion to the garden of God in the Book of Genesis. Idiom Definition: A set expression or phrase comprising two or more words. Example: Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed Paradox Definition: A statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. Example: Bittersweet, The beginning of the end Antithesis Definition: A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else. Example: That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. - Neil Armstrong Rhetorical Question Definition: A question asked without expecting an answer; A question with an answer so obvious that a verbal answer is unneeded. Example: Is rain wet? Do dogs bark? Do pigs fly? Parody Definition: When the style of an author is closely imitated or mimicked for comic effect or ridicule. Example: "Austin Powers" (spoof on James Bond movies) Allegory Definition: A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Example: The lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe Hyperbole Definition: Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. Examples: I am so hungry I could eat a horse, Its so cold I saw polar bears wearing jackets!! Ethos Definition: A way of persuasion using appeal and value. Example: Doctors all over the world recommend this type of treatment. Pathos Definition: A way of persuasion compelling to emotion. Example: Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. -Martin Luther King Jr. I have a dream speech Logos Definition: A persuasion technique using logic and reason. Example: All men are mortal Soccrates is a man Therefore, Socrates is mortal. -The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle