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Rhetorical Devices

Good writing depends upon more than making a collection of statements worthy of belief, because writing is intended to be read by others, with minds different from your own. Your reader does not make the same mental connections you make; he does not see the world exactly as you see it; he is alrea

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Rhetorical Devices

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    1. Rhetorical Devices “Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.” - Plato

    2. Good writing depends upon more than making a collection of statements worthy of belief, because writing is intended to be read by others, with minds different from your own. Your reader does not make the same mental connections you make; he does not see the world exactly as you see it; he is already flooded daily with thousands of statements demanding assent, yet which he knows or believes to be false, confused, or deceptive. If your writing is to get through to him--or even to be read and considered at all--it must be interesting, clear, persuasive, and memorable, so that he will pay attention to, understand, believe, and remember the ideas it communicates.

    3. Rhetorical Devices Literary techniques that an author or speaker use to convey meaning with the goal of persuading the reader or listener to consider a topic from a different perspective The goal of rhetoric is persuasion

    4. Biased Language Bias is the predisposition of a writer toward the particular subject about which he/she is writing Bias doesn’t need to be stated directly Often established through the connotation of words used Review: Denotation - Dictionary definition or literal meaning Connotation - Implied meaning

    5. Bias - Example For example, all of the following words have similar denotations but their connotations are very different: PERFUME SCENT ODOUR STENCH Which words have positive connotations, and which are negative? Use of one over the other reveals an author’s bias

    6. Hyperbole A deliberate exaggeration or overstatement which helps to emphasize a point In formal writing, must be clearly intended as an exaggeration and should be used sparingly “Treat hyperbole like an exclamation point, to be used only once a year.”

    7. Hyperbole - Example An effective attention getter or introductory line: “There are a thousand reasons why more research is needed on solar energy.” Make a single point very enthusiastically: “I said ‘rare’ not ‘raw.’ I’ve seen cows hurt worse than this get up and get well.” Exaggerate one thing to show how really different it is from something supposedly similar to which it’s being compared: “This stuff is used motor oil compared to the coffee you make, my love.”

    8. Understatement Deliberately expresses an idea as less important than it actually is, either for ironic emphasis or for politeness/tact Example: If your audience already knows a lot about the subject, so the writer/speaker chooses to draw on the audience’s own power of description Speaking about the destruction of a massive earthquake: “The earthquake in Haiti interrupted business somewhat in that area.” The reader supplies a more vivid and personal description than the writer might have

    9. Understatement (continued) Example: As a tool for modesty and tactfulness, such as whenever you represent your own accomplishments or position and want to avoid people accusing you of being egotistical or self-interested “Yes, I know a little bit about coaching rowing.” Especially useful in dealing with a hostile audience or in disagreeing with someone, because you can make the same point without being as offensive. The goal is to persuade, not offend - “The degree and power of pride in the human heart must never be underestimated.”

    10. Rhetorical Question Asked merely for effect, with either no answer expected or an obvious answer implied Used for effect, emphasis, provocation, or for drawing a conclusion from the facts at hand Be carefult to avoid sinking into absurdity! “The use of this device allows your reader to think, query and conclude along with you; but if your questions become ridiculous, your essay may become wastepaper!”

    11. Repetition The repeating of words or phrases for emphasis Amplification: Repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it “This orchard, this lovely, shady orchard, is the main reason I bought this property.” Anaphora: Repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or sentences “In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace.”

    12. Irony The use of a word or phrase to mean the exact opposite of its literal meaning Verbal Irony: When an author says one thing and means something else (a.k.a. sarcasm) Situational Irony: Incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs

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