NINE
RHETORICAL
DEVICES
I MEDIO HL – APRIL 2020
Rhetorical devices are the nuts and bolts of speech;
the parts that make a speech work. Separately,
each part of a speech is meaningless, but once put
together they can create a powerful effect on the
listener. Look at the definitions of nine rhetorical
devices - however, this list isn't exhaustive, and
these nine devices here represent just some of the
many rhetorical devices used by speechwriters.
Lang & lit (Cambridge University Press), 2011
ANTITHESIS
• Antithesis is a technique often used by speechwriters. It basically means
that, in order to tell people what you believe in, it is useful and effective to
tell them what you do not believe in.
HYPOPHORA
• A common technique is to start a speech with a hypophora, in which the
speaker first asks a question and then answers it. Note that sometimes the
questions will be embedded in the first sentence and will not be asked as
direct questions.
ALLUSION
• Allusion is when your speech echoes another speech or famous phrase. By
using allusion, you not only associate yourself with the ideas of the original
text but also create a bond with the audience by evoking shared
knowledge.
REPETITION
• Repetition, when used properly, can be very effective in creating a sense of
structure and power. You may have been warned not to sound too
repetitive in your written work. In speech writing, however, repeating small
phrases can ingrain an idea in the minds of your audience.
JUXTAPOSITION
• When two things of opposite nature are mentioned together, readers and
listeners tend to notice.
FIGURATIVE SPEECH
• People like to think in metaphors. Figurative speech tends to work best
when set off by concrete images.
PARALLELISM
• Parallelism is a stylistic device that you often hear in speeches but also one
that is very useful for writing. Writing structures that are grammatically
parallel helps your reader or listener understand your points better because
they flow more smoothly.
TRICOLON AND
POLYSYNDETON
• A tricolon is a sort of list of three, or a sentence in which there are three
parts or clauses. The cumulative effect of three has a powerful effect on an
audience.
• Sometimes speechwriters use the word and in between each and every
item listed whereas usually in a list it is only necessary to use and before
the last item. This technique is known as polysyndeton and is used to stress
the importance of every item.
VARIED SENTENCE LENGTH
• Varying the length of your sentences is always a good way to strengthen
any writing style, be it for speech or essays.
BE AWARE THAT…
A public speech is very
different from a
conversation with a friend
and make sure your writing
does not sound too
colloquial or informal.