Advanced Rhetorical Devices Amplification o The repetition of

Advanced Rhetorical Devices

Amplification o The repetition of a word or phrase, followed by additional information n n Used to clarify and intensify the meaning of the original word Ex: All Ethan asked for was a chance, a chance to prove his hard-won ability, a chance to overcome the hardship of his youth.

Anadiplosis o Anadiplosis is the literary term for a rhetorical device in which a writer or speaker uses a word near the end of the clause and then repeats that word to begin the next clause.

Anadiplosis (cont) o Anadiplosis is used to bring attention to a specific thing or concept. The repetition of the word calls attention to it as a main point of the text or speech. o The word does not have to be the very first word in the sentence; rather, it should just be near the beginning of the sentence-in close proximity to itself at the end of the previous clause.

Examples of Anadiplosis: o 1. When we win, we win big! o 2. Jennifer had a problem, and her problem was getting bigger by the minute. o 3. For dinner, I would like a steak, a steak and a salad to fill my plate. o 4. I am not sure I like school, for school is a place where I must sit still-sit still and listen to a teacher drone on and on.

Anaphora o The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of series of clauses, or sentences. n n Links the ideas in the series and often emphasizes gradual increase of emotion. Ex: No amount of money, no amount of labor, no amount of sacrifice will be sufficient to repay the debt we owe to these great men and women.

Antithesis o The emphasis of two contrasting ideas by placing them adjacent to one another in a sentence or clause, often in parallel structure. n n n Ex: “To err is human; to forgive, divine. ” “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for man-kind” "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. " - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Asyndeton o The omission of conjunctions that would normally separate the items in a list or series. n n n It slows the pace with which the list is read. Contributes an informal, unplanned tone to the list. Ex: Children’s literature is filled with unlikely anthropomorphisms: talking lions, kindly badgers, beleaguered frogs, insolent caterpillars.

Chiasmus o A kind of inverted Parallelism; the structure or word order of two closely placed phrases or clauses is the reverse order of each other. n n Ex: To voice an opinion is always easy, but it is often a challenge to support it with facts. Ex: “… ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country. ”

Enumeratio o Specific examples clarify and illustrate the point being established. n n Ex: The benefits of an education are almost limitless: exposure to a variety of ideas and views, broadened experience, enhanced knowledge and skill, and increased employment opportunities. Ex: Math is easy except for the numbers, the formulas, and the terminology.

Epistrophe (Antistrophe) o A word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. n n n Opposite of Anaphora Ex: The Ford Edsel was an abysmal failure because the name was unpopular, the design was unpopular, and the price unpopular. Ex: “… that government of the people, by the people, for the people…”

Hyperbaton o Variations or inversions in conventional word order, usually for the sake of emphasis and aesthetic impact. n n Ex: He was a loyal friend and true. Ex: “To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy. ”

Hypophora o Resembles a rhetorical question in that it raises a question in the text, but hypophora follows the question with an answer. n n n Common device for introductions or transitions Ex: How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice! Ex: Why would someone guilty of a crime agree to a plea agreement? Consider the emotional, physical, economic drain of a long trial.

Litotes o The use of a double negative to generate a positive understatement. n n Ex: The homework assignment was not unreasonable. Ex: The king did not fail to appreciate the young prince’s treachery.

Parallelism o The use of similar word choice, syntax, and/or structure in successive parts of a sentence, or successive sentences. n n Primary purpose is to communicate that the parts or sentences are related and equal. p Also, adds balance, rhythm, cohesion, and clarity to one’s writing. Ex: The first person to arrive in the morning should unlock the door, set up the coffee pot, check the phone messages, and turn on the lights.

Polysyndeton o The opposite of Asyndeton; the inclusion of a conjunction before every item in a list or series (except the first). n n Speeds up the pace with which the list is read. Ex: “And neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. ”

Protocatalepsis o Anticipates a reader’s objection, addresses it, and then moves on with the writer’s argument. n n Ex: There are, of course, those who will complain that such a move would be too costly but the questions remains, can we afford not to act? Ex: The argument that wiretapping and satellite photography violate citizens’ privacy holds no validity since the Bill of Rights offers no specific protection of a “right” to privacy.