Rhetorical Devices
by David Edwards
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Alliteration [uh-lit-uh-rey-shuhn]:
Definition : The repitition of two or
more consonat words in a sentance
Etymology .Medieval Latin alliterātiōn, stem of alliterātiō, equivalent to alal-+literātiō, modeled after obliterātiō
obliteration but intended to convey a
derivative of littera letter
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Alliteration (Cont’d)
Examples:
1.) Willow whipped her hair back and
forth.
2.) Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
peppers.
3.) Sally slapped Sarah so savagely .
Visual:
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Allusion [uh-loo-zhuhn] :
Definition: An incedental mention of
something or someone , either directly
or by implication.
Etymology : Late Latin allūsiōn- (stem
of allūsiō ), equivalent to allūs ( us ),
past participle of allūdere
( see
allude; al- al- + lūd- play + -tus past
participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
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Allusion (Cont’d) :
Examples:
1.) People thought that Amy was the
Beyonce of her school because of her
beautiful singing.
2.) Ronnie ran so fast you would’ve
though he was Sonic the Hedgehog
3.)
Her long nails reminded me of
Wolverine.
Visual:
“ It felt like I
was on
Mortal
Kombat”
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Amplification [am-pluh-fi-key-shuhn]:
Definition:
The
expansion
statement, narrative, ect.
Etymology : < Latin
(stem of amplificātiō )
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of
a
amplificātiōn-
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Amplification (Cont’d) :
Examples:
1.) I am incredibly hungry, So hungry
that my stomach is roaring at me, So
hungry that I could eat a horse. I
haven't eaten a thing since breakfast.
2.) It’s very hot outside, so hot that I
can fry eggs on the sidewalk on this
hot summer day.
3.) "This is a crisis. A large crisis. In
fact, if you've got a moment, it's a
twelve-story crisis with a magnificent
entrance hall, carpeting throughout,
24-hour portage, and an enormous
sign on the roof, saying 'This Is a
Large Crisis.' A large crisis requires a
large plan. Get me two pencils and a
pair of underpants."(RowanAtkinson
as Captain Blackadder in"Goodbyeee."
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Blackadder
Goes Forth,
1989)
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Amplification (Cont’d) :
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Anadiplosis [an-uh-di-ploh-sis]:
Definition:repetition in the first part of
a clause or sentence of a prominent
word from the latter part of the
preceding clause or sentence, usually
with a change or extension of
meaning.
Etymology : < Latin
< Greek,
equivalent to anadiplō-, variant stem
of anadiploûsthai to be doubled back
+ -sis -sis.
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Anadiplosis (Cont’d) :
Examples
1.) "I am Sam, Sam I am."
(Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham)
2.) "When I give I give myself."
(Walt Whitman)
3.) "Fear is the path to the dark side.
Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to
hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense
much fear in you."
(Frank Oz as Yoda in Star Wars
Episode 1: The Phantom Menance)
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Analogy [uh-nal-uh-jee]:
Definition: The simalairity of two
things, in which a comparison could be
based.
Etymology :< Latin analogia
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Analogy (Cont’d) :
Examples:
1) March: Spring :: December : Winter
2) Obese: Fat :: Slender : Skinny
3) Tropical : Jamaica :: Polar : Russia
Visual:
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