Rhetorical Devices- English III
Example #1“Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace,
that special spirit that says, ‘Give me a challenge, and I'll meet it with joy.’”
-Ronald Reagan- The Space Shuttle "Challenger" Tragedy Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
Example #2“There's a coincidence today. On this day three hundred and ninety years
ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of
Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian
later said, ‘He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.’ Well, today,
we can say of the “Challenger” crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's,
complete.” -Ronald Reagan- The Space Shuttle "Challenger" Tragedy
Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
Example #3“Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those
problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals
for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to
destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.
Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease,
tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.” -JFK
Inaugural Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
Example #4"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay
any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose
any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." –JFK
Inaugural Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
Example #5
“The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will
light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly
light the world.” –JFK Inaugural Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
Example #6
“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?” –JFK Inaugural Address
Rhetorical Device______________________________________________
Explain_______________________________________________________
#1Former President Reagan uses alliteration to highlight the spirit of the seven that
died on the “Challenger”. His alliteration captures the audience’s attention and
makes that statement more memorable. By alliterating special, special, spirit, and
says, Reagan captures the audience’s attention and emphasizes that the seven that
died on the “Challenger” were heroes. (Figurative Language)
#2Here, former President Reagan uses an allusion to reference the “Challenger” crew
to Sir Francis Drake. He uses this allusion to connect one tragedy to another, but
also to show that the “Challenger” crew should be honored in the same way as Sir
Francis Drake because of their dedication. (Figurative Language)
#3The repetition of “let both sides” in former President Kennedy’s speech amplifies his
desire for peace and unity. When says “let both sides” for the first time, Kennedy
explains that he wishes for unity instead of division. As he repeats the phrase for a
second and third time, he adds on that all sides of the word should succeed together
in scientific discoveries and other accomplishments. By using amplification on his
first idea, he places greater emphasis on peace and unity: the big picture of what he
is trying to say. (Parallelism)
#4Former President Kennedy uses hyperbole by exaggerating America’s strength. By
exaggerating and saying that America can “pay any price” or “bear any burden,”
Kennedy creates an exaggerated sense of pride in the reader for their country.
Kennedy tries to convey that America has the strength to press through difficult
times, and his use of hyperbole makes him successful. Instead of just saying that
America is strong, he exaggerates to say that it can meet any hardship, and while
the reader knows that in actuality this is not true, the hyperbole helps create an
image of strength. (hyperbole)
#5The metaphor former President Kennedy uses here compares the energy, faith, and
devotion used to uphold freedom, to a fire that lights America. Kennedy then goes on
to say also that this “fire can truly light the world.” He uses this metaphor to show
Americans that their efforts to create unity and freedom will not only affect America,
but the entire world as a whole. (figurative language)
#6Former President Kennedy includes this rhetorical question to call the audience to
action. By asking if they will join in the historic effort, Kennedy forces the audience to
think about what they are willing to do for their country and at the same time, he
inspires them to be more American. (Rhetorical Question)