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Rhetorical Devices

Learn how writers use rhetorical devices to influence readers, including rhetorical questions, alliteration, lists of 3, repetition, personal involvement, audience involvement, facts and statistics, expert opinion, metaphor and simile, over-exaggeration, emotional language, irony and sarcasm, parenthesis, puns, and combining techniques.

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Rhetorical Devices

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  1. Rhetorical Devices How writers use language to influence the reader

  2. Rhetorical question • Definition • The writer will not expect you to answer this question – they suggest the answer for you • Effects • Draws the reader into the text • Introduces ideas / topics • Makes the reader think • Example • Should the UK leave the European Union?

  3. Examples of Rhetorical Devices

  4. Alliteration • Definition • Within a sentence, a series of words will begin with the same sound • Effects • Draws attention to the key words • Can be used to reinforce ideas / concepts • May be used for humorous effect • Example • Politics is probably pointless

  5. Lists of 3 • Definition • Three nouns, adjectives or verbs will be used in a list within a sentence • Effects • The ‘magic 3’ fixes itself in the reader’s mind • Highlights important ideas • Example • School uniforms are uncomfortable, unattractive and unfashionable

  6. Repetition • Definition • The technique of repeating the same word and phrase • Effects • Highlights key messages • Reinforces important points • Links different parts of the text • Example • That class is boring, boring, boring.

  7. Personal involvement / anecdote • Definition • The writer incorporates aspects of their personal experience into the text – look for ‘I’ • Effects • Appeals to the reader – makes the writer seem more human or involved • Can be used for humour / pathos • Example • I was shocked to find that many children don’t know the National Anthem!

  8. Audience involvement / direct address • Definition • The writer involves the reader by relating the subject to their lives • Look for ‘you’ / ‘we’ / ‘us’ / ‘our’ • Effects • Makes the reader care about the subject • Establishes a relationship between the reader and writer • The writing is less intimidating • Example • We all know how bad school lunches are!

  9. Facts and statistics • Definition • Information and data, that can be proved to be true • Effects • There are a range of specific effects, including to shock, surprise, support the writer’s view etc • Example • 60% of the world’s population lives in poverty

  10. Expert opinion / quotations • Definition • The knowledge of an expert is referred to by the writer • Effects • Can show an alternative point of view • The reader trusts what the writer is saying • Quotations are very persuasive • Example • Dr. Martin believes that more needs to be done to improve the health of young people

  11. Metaphor and simile • Definition • Types of imagery • Metaphor – one object is said to be the same as another • Simile – objects are compared to each other – look for ‘like’ or ‘as’ • Effects • Makes the writing more interesting and imaginative for the reader • Example • As dead as a dodo

  12. Over-exaggeration • Definition • The writer uses superlatives and adjectives to make a situation seem much worse / better than it really is • Effects • Shows the writer’s strong feelings • Can be used in humorous or ironic ways • Example • Many schools have become like learning factories

  13. Emotional language • Definition • Language that is used to create a particular emotional response in the reader • Effects • Can create strong feelings such as anger, guilt, joy, concern, empathy, hope etc • Involves the reader in the text • Example • This disastrous situation will only get worse unless we do something about it

  14. Irony / Sarcasm • Definition • Ideas are presented in a way that seems opposite to what is really meant • Effects • Creates humour • Can over-exaggerate a situation • Engages the reader on a personal level • Example • “What a lovely day” when it is pouring with rain

  15. Parenthesis • Definition • Brackets, dashes or commas are used to separate phrases from the main sentence • Effects • Shows the writer’s personal views • Can be used to create irony or humour • Example • Most teenagers in the survey said they didn’t like homework (what a surprise!)

  16. Pun • Definition • A joking use of a word sounding the same as another • Effects • Engages the reader’s attention through the use of humour • Can be used to highlight an important idea • Often an interesting way of starting a text e.g. a headline • Example • Deciding where to bury him was a grave decision

  17. Combining techniques • Remember that writers will often combine several rhetorical devices within a section of text • Example: Over 90% of us believe that Americans are dull-witted, dreary and docile (no surprise there then!) • Try to comment on the overall impact of this on the reader

  18. Important advice • Use your reading time efficiently. If you know you have to write about the language in one of the texts, highlight key examples as you read it • You do not have to write about every device – it is better to evaluate three or four good examples than to simply ‘spot’ lots of them

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