Objective Identify rhetorical devices: antithesis, rhetorical questions, repetition, parallelism

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ObjectiveIdentify rhetorical devices
antithesis, rhetorical questions, repetition,
parallelism

• Rhetorical Devices

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Rhetorical DevicesACADEMIC VOCABULARY

• rhetorical devices techniques writers and
  speakers use to effectively convey ideas and
  enhance arguments.
• Writers and speakers use rhetorical devices
  within the language in order to emphasize,
  explain, or unify ideas, and often to persuade.

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Common Rhetorical Devices

• repetition the use of the same word, phrase, or
  sound more than once for emphasis
• parallelism the use of similar grammatical
  constructions to express ideas that are related
  or of equal importance
• antithesis a device that contrasts opposing
  ideas in a brief, grammatically balanced
  statement to express a truth
• rhetorical questions questions that need no
  answer because their answers seem obvious

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Repetition and Parallelism

• Repetition and parallelism are rhetorical
  devices in which repeated words and patterns
  provide rhythm, enhance ideas, and organize
  complex passages.
• In the following example, notice the parallel
  grammatical form (noun action verb) plus the
  repetition of the one word, change, create strong
  rhythms when the text is spoken, cementing the
  message in listeners' minds.
• EXAMPLE
• Times change. People change. Companies change.
  Have you changed?

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Repetition and ParallelismTo Identify and
analyze repetition and parallelism, look for
repeated words and for similar grammatical
forms-phrases, sentences, or paragraphs-that
express related ideas.
Ask yourself Does the repetition or
parallelism create a rhythm? Does it enhance or
emphasize meaning? Does it help a reader recall
ideas or sense a writer's opinions? Does the
parallelism link ideas of equal importance?
Does it create a rhythmic flow? Does it clarify
a writer's intent or message?
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Repetition and Parallelism

• How might repeating an a word, phrase, or sound
  or using similar grammatical constructions create
  an overall effect on a piece of writing or in a
  speech?

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Antithesis

• Much of history's wisdom is recorded in
  spare, memorable antithesisor a truism that
  contrasts two ideas.
• For example, Alexander Popes little adage
  makes a good point using antithesis
• Charm is a physical, temporary, shallow
  pleasure merit is a deeper, lasting, and
  admirable inner quality.
• Notice the balanced rhythm and the repeated
  grammatical forms. Underline the two juxtaposed
  subjects and then paraphrase the contrast.

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Antithesis To identify and analyze antithesis,
look for striking phrases that balance two
related but opposing statements in order to
reveal a truth such as To err is human, to
forgive divine.

• Ask yourself
• Are the contrasting statements memorable for
  their brevity, timelessness, or cleverness?
• Are the ideas logical?
• Do they enhance meaning?

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Antithesis

• How might summing up complex ideas in a spare
  gem or nugget of truth contribute to the
  effect of a speech or piece of writing?

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Rhetorical Questions

• Most rhetorical questions prompt thought or
  focus discussion and are not meant to be answered
  literally.
• Rhetorical questions in persuasive texts often
  are meant to sway audiences to agree with the
  writers' arguments or opinions.

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Rhetorical QuestionsTo identify and analyze
rhetorical questions, look for questions that
lead to one inevitable answer (in the writer's
opinion, at least) or seem intended to spark
thoughtsor feelings rather than answers.

• Ask yourself Does the question trigger debate
  or support a claim? Is it plausible? Is it
  framed by a context intended to inform or
  persuade? Or, does the question ask the
  audience to picture an image or summon a feeling?

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Rhetorical Questions

• EXAMPLE
• And what is so rare as a day in June?

Is this question meant to persuade or to
summon an image or feeling?
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Rhetorical Questions

• How might adding a question or series of
  questions to a speech or piece of writing might
  contribute to its effect?

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Try it outFor each example, decide which
rhetorical device is being used by identifying
characteristics of the device, and then explain
the effect it creates for each piece of text.

• Example 1
• According to the ancient historian Plutarch,
  the Roman emperor Julius Caesar spoke these
  words, one of historys most recognized
  utterances.
• I came, I saw, I conquered.

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Parallelism

• I came, I saw, I conquered.
• The parallel grammatical forms (pronoun I
  past-tense action verb) have a potent rhythm,
  giving weight and authority to the saying

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Example 2

• The American astronaut Neil Armstrong
  famously spoke these words on July 20, 1969, as
  he became the first human to set foot on the
  Moon.
• Thats one small step for man, one giant leap
  for mankind.

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Antithesis

• Thats one small step for man, one giant leap
  for mankind.
• Armstrongs words strike a concise contrast
  between individual advancement and humanitys
  vast progress.

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Example 3

• President John F. Kennedys inaugural address
  on January 20, 1969 moved many Americans with its
  call to action.
• Can we forge against these enemies a grand and
  global alliance, North and South, East and West,
  that can assure a more fruitful life for all
  mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

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Rhetorical Questions

• Can we forge against these enemies a grand
  and global alliance, North and South, East and
  West, that can assure a more fruitful life for
  all mankind? Will you join in that historic
  effort?
• Kennedys rhetorical questions are addressed
  directly to the audience.
• The implied yes answer to each question,
  prompts listeners to accept the challenges named
  in the speech.

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Common Rhetorical Devices

• repetition the use of the same word, phrase, or
  sound more than once for emphasis
• parallelism the use of similar grammatical
  constructions to express ideas that are related
  or of equal importance
• antithesis a device that contrasts opposing
  ideas in a brief, grammatically balanced
  statement to express a truth
• rhetorical questions questions that need no
  answer because their answers seem obvious

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Rhetorical Devices Quick Check Review

• You can give without loving, but you cannot
  love without giving.
• How could you covert this sentence into one or
  more rhetorical questions?
• How could you convert it into a different
  parallel construction?

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You can give without loving, but you cannot love
without giving.

• Sample Rhetorical Question
• Must learning to give come before learning to
  love?
• Sample of a different parallel construction You
  can give. You can love. You can love to give.
  But you must give to love.

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Rhetorical Devices Quick Check Review

• You can give without loving, but you cannot
  love without giving.
• What rhetorical device is being used in this
  statement?
• Why?

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You can give without loving, but you cannot love
without giving.

• Antithesis
• It contrast two different things giving without
  love and loving without giving.