Rhetorical Devices



Rhetorical Devices

Emotive (charged) words – evoke an emotional response

“vicious racists” (MLK)

“barbaric slaughter” (Lynx ad)

Statistics – numbers/percentages make an impression (even if exaggerated - hyperbole); don’t overuse stats

“It takes up to 40 dumb animals to make a fur coat.” (Lynx ad)

Repetition – repeating lines or a piece of a line for effect

“I have a dream today!” (MLK)

Alliteration – repetition of the initial sound

“…not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…”

Anaphora – repetition of a word or words at the beginning of a line

“I have a dream that…” (MLK)

Parallelism/Parallel Structure – balanced components within a line, a paragraph, or a larger unit of composition

(hint – look on either side of the conjunction)

“sons of former slaves and sons of former slave-owners” (MLK)

Antithesis – positioning one term against another for emphasis; pointing out opposites (sometimes extremes) to make a point (sometimes using “not X, but Y” structure)

“little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls” (MLK)

“not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (MLK)

Pattern of Three – often used in political speeches for rhythmic purposes; listing three components within a line, a paragraph, or a larger unit

“I ask you to seek a common good, to defend needed reforms, and to serve your nation.” (GWB)

(Note: this is also an example of parallelism)

Rhetorical question – does not expect a response “How would you like your fur, madam?” (Lynx ad)

Metaphor – comparison of unlike things

“an oasis of freedom and justice” (or , in other words, justice is an oasis)

Similes – comparison of unlike things using like or as

“…justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Allusion – reference to well-known historical person/event or literary character/work

“…every valley shall be exalted…” (MLK)

Synaesthesia – a strong piece of imagery that combines two or more senses

“words dripping” (MLK) (sound, sight, feeling)

Logical Fallacies

Begging the Question – (aka circular reasoning) – using the argument in the argument

This handwriting is hard to read because it is nearly illegible.

Non-sequitor – (Latin translation - “It does not follow.”) – The conclusion does not follow from the preceding arguments.

Tom does not drink or smoke so he ought to make a good husband.

Argumentum Ad Hominem – (“Argument to the man”) – turning from the issue to the character involved.

Smith should not be elected. He just got a divorce, and his father is an alcoholic.

“[Alabama’s] governor having his lips dripping…” (MLK)

Ad Misericordium – an appeal for sympathy

Did you steal the money?

I’m out of work, my family hasn’t eaten in two days, and my wife has just been arrested…

Overgeneralizing – too few instances are presented to reach an accurate conclusion.

Tall men like ice cream.

False Analogy – wrongful comparisons of dissimilar situations.

Doctors have X-rays to guide them during operations; therefore, students should be able to use their books during examinations.

Ad Vericundium – (“to the truth”) – an appeal to authority

It says so in the Bible…My teacher says, … The doctor says, …

Ad Populum - (“to the populace”) – an appeal to the crowd

My fellow Americans…(LBJ)

Self-evident Truths – jumping to a forgone conclusion.

Everybody knows …

Guilt (or Innocence) by Association

Max reads all of those radical magazine articles that favor a coup, so he must want to overthrow the government.

Either / Or Fallacy – absolute extremes which do not allow for intermediate cases.

Do you want to go to college or dig ditches all your life?

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list. Also, many of the preceding fallacies overlap.

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