Top Rhetorical Devices
Since rhetoric dates back to ancient times, much of the terminology used to
discuss it comes from the original Greek. Despite its ancient origins, however,
rhetoric is as vital as ever. The following list contains some of the most important
rhetorical devices to understand:
1. Alliteration, a sonic device, is the repetition of the initial sound of each
word (e.g. Alan the antelope ate asparagus).
2. Cacophony, a sonic device, is the combination of consonant sounds to
create a displeasing effect.
3. Onomatopoeia, a sonic device, refers to a word that emulates the real-life
sound it signifies (e.g. using the word "bang" to signify an explosion).
4. Humor creates connection and identification with audience members,
thus increasing the likelihood that they will agree with the speaker. Humor
can also be used to deflate counter-arguments and make opposing points of
view appear ridiculous.
5. Anaphora is the repetition of certain words or phrases at the beginning of
sentences to increase the power of a sentiment. Perhaps the best-known
example of anaphora is Martin Luther King Jr.'s repetition of the phrase "I
have a dream."
6. Meiosis is a type of euphemism that intentionally understates the size or
importance of its subject. It can be used to dismiss or diminish a debate
opponent's argument.
7. Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that conveys emotion and raises
the bar for other speakers. Once you make a hyperbolic statement like “My
idea is going to change the world," other speakers will have to respond in
kind or their more measured words may seem dull and uninspiring in
comparison.
8. Apophasis is the verbal strategy of bringing up a subject by denying that
that very subject should be brought up at all.
9. Anacoluthon is a sudden swerve into a seemingly unrelated idea in the
middle of a sentence. It can seem like a grammatical mistake if handled
poorly, but it can also put powerful stress onto the idea being expressed.
10. Chiasmus is a technique wherein the speaker inverts the order of a phrase
in order to create a pretty and powerful sentence. The best example comes
from President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address: "Ask not what your
country can do for you— ask what you can do for your country."
11. Anadiplosis is the use of the same word at the end of one sentence and at
the beginning of the subsequent sentence, forming a chain of thought that
carries your audience to the point you’ve chosen.
12. Dialogismus refers to moments when the speaker imagines what
someone else is thinking, or speaks in the voice of someone else, in order to
explain and then subvert or undermine counterpoints to the original
argument.
13. Eutrepismus, one of the most common rhetorical devices, is simply the
act of stating points in the form of a numbered list. Why is it useful? First
off, this devices makes information seem official and authoritative. Second,
it gives speech a sense of order and clarity. And third, it helps the listener
keep track of the speaker's points.
14. Hypophora is the trick of posing a question and then immediately
supplying the answer. Do you know why hypophora is useful? It's useful
because it stimulates listener interest and creates a clear transition point in
the speech.
15. Expeditio is the trick of listing a series of possibilities and then explaining
why all but one of those possibilities are non-starters. This device makes it
seem as though all choices have been considered, when in fact you've been
steering your audience towards the one choice you desired all along.
16. Antiphrasis is another word for irony. Antiphrasis refers to a statement
whose actual meaning is the opposite of the literal meaning of the words
within it.
17. Asterismos. Look, this is the technique of inserting a useless but
attention-grabbing word in front of your sentence in order to grab the
audience’s attention. It's useful if you think your listeners are getting a bit
bored and restless.