AP Journals Rhetorical Devices

1. AP Journals Rhetorical Devices

2. 1. Rhetorical Devices: Polysyndeton DEFINTION: Using conjunctions between each item in a list EXAMPLE: “After the ice cream, and the birthday cake, and the fruit punch, and the brownies, and the cookies, we were definitely ready for vegetables. ” EFFECT: • Making a list seem longer than it actually is • Can create a tone that is frenzied, overwhelming, comical PROMPT: What do we have too much of? Use polysyndeton.

3. 2. Rhetorical Devices: Asyndeton DEFINTION: Leaving a conjunction out EXAMPLE: “The candidate tried to spend equal time talking about all the important issues: jobs, environment, schools, poverty.” (rather than “schools and poverty”) EFFECT: • Adds emphasis, especially to final items on list • Creates a tone that can be formal, dramatic PROMPT: Should election day be a federal holiday? Use asyndeton.

4. 3. Rhetorical Devices: Anaphora DEFINTION: Beginning a series of statements with the same phrase EXAMPLE: “We looked for Skippy in the library; we looked for Skippy by the fountain; we looked for Skippy next to the statue of Mark Twain.” EFFECT: • To emphasize the repeated phrase PROMPT: Agree or disagree—politicians should earn less money. Use anaphora.

5. 4. Rhetorical Devices: Epistrophe DEFINTION: Repetition of phrase at the end of a statement EXAMPLE: “Early in the morning, we dug for fossils; in the hot midday sun, we dug for fossils; late into the evening, we dug for fossils.” EFFECT: • Emphasizing the repeated phrase PROMPT: Are zoos inhumane? Use epistrophe.

6. 5. Rhetorical Devices: Consonance DEFINTION: Repetition of consonants (AKA alliteration) EXAMPLE: • “Gertrude’s goat gave Gary goggles.” • “The rabbit ran around the rock.” EFFECT: • Aesthetically pleasing • Creates a playful, euphonious tone PROMPT: Should elementary school lunches be healthier? Use consonance.

7. 6. Rhetorical Devices: Assonance DEFINTION: Repetition of vowel sounds EXAMPLE: “Rolling Stones” “the high price of pie” EFFECT: • Aesthetically pleasing • Creates a playful, euphonious tone PROMPT: What’s a class we need at SRHS? Use assonance.

8. 7. Rhetorical Devices: Polyptoton DEFINTION: Repeating variations of the same root word EXAMPLE: “The powerful will protect their power from the powerless.” EFFECT: • Emphasizes repeated word PROMPT: Should private insurance be replaced with government-funded insurance for all? Use polyptoton.

9. 8. Rhetorical Devices: Antithesis DEFINTION: expressing contradictory ideas with similar structure EXAMPLE: “She knew everybody; he knew nobody.” “One method ensures a long life; the other ensures obesity.” EFFECT: • To make a distinction as clear as possible PROMPT: Should there be a soda tax? Use antithesis.

10. 9. Rhetorical Devices: Epanalepsis DEFINTION: when a word appears at the beginning and end of a statement EXAMPLE: “Nothing is more important than fearing nothing.” “Knowing the limits of your intelligence is the best kind of knowing.” EFFECT: • Emphasizes the selected word • Indicates cleverness PROMPT: Should Columbus Day be a federal holiday? Use epanalepsis.

11. 10. Rhetorical Devices: Anadiplosis DEFINTION: repeating a word at the end of a clause and at the beginning of the next clause. EXAMPLE: “He wished he’d become a plumber; a plumber would know what to do.” “She looked at the miserable trampoline, the trampoline that had ruined her life.” EFFECT: • Emphasizes the repeated word PROMPT: Is a background in politics necessary to be a good president? Use anadiplosis.

12. 11. Rhetorical Devices: Allusion DEFINTION: Referencing a text or literary work EXAMPLE: “They had a Romeo-and-Juliet type romance.” “My journey home was an absolute odyssey—minus the shipwreck and cyclops.” “My manager at work is a real Chillingworth.” EFFECT: • Drawing upon a shared knowledge with the reader PROMPT: Do you know anyone who succeeded in spite of a disadvantage placed on them? Use allusions.

13. 12. Rhetorical Devices: Paralipsis DEFINTION: Drawing attention to something by denying to draw attention to it. EXAMPLE: “Not to mention the money you owe me.” “Although I could say something about your outfit, but I’ll refrain.” EFFECT: • Creates emphasis on an idea without appearing rude PROMPT: Write a short story with dialogue about two friends at a restaurant. Use paralipsis.

14. 13. Rhetorical Devices: Analogy DEFINTION: Creating a comparison between unlike things EXAMPLE: “Just as tires on a car need to be replaced, old leaders need to be regularly thrown out of office.” EFFECT: • Drawing upon a reader’s familiarity with one concept in order to prove a point about another PROMPT: Use an analogy to explain how we can improve education in America

15. 14. Rhetorical Devices: Wordplay DEFINTION: Using an unlikely word in order to emphasize a certain theme or topic EXAMPLE: “The new leash rules may give paws to dog lovers.” “Time is ticking for anyone interested in buying this rare clock.” EFFECT: • Indicates cleverness • Creates a comical/playful tone PROMPT: Write a radio ad about the opening of a new pet store just for birds. Use wordplay

16. 15. Rhetorical Devices: Litotes DEFINTION: saying something is true by denying the extreme of its opposite EXAMPLE: “I’m not the best swimmer” “Forgetting your helmet would not be the safest move in the world.” EFFECT: * Allows reader to make a point without being too direct or forceful PROMPT: How can we eliminate traffic jams in San Diego? Use litotes.