Rhetoric is an art of speaking or writing, particularly when the intent of that communication is to convince an audience of some message. It’s the secret sauce behind some of the most powerful and memorable writing in English literature. As in other genres, authors of English literature effectively use various forms of rhetorical devices to enhance and expand the meaning of the text. Suppose that it is a writer’s set of tools with tips to educate, argue, and, at times, mesmerize you.
Rhetorical devices make words special, from emotional, slopping speeches to deeply touching poetic lines. Whether you’re trying to gain a better understanding of “War and Peace,” “1984,” “The Great Gatsby,” or even “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” much of the enjoyment and understanding begins with a knowledge of the rhetorical devices.
In this article, we will delve into the top 31 essential rhetorical devices, providing their definitions and examples that you should be familiar with in English literature.
1. Alliteration
The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in words close to each other.
Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
Literary Example: “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, the furrow followed free.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
2. Allusion
Allusion refers to the text, event, or historical figure from which that particular text or event has been derived.
Example: “He was quite the Romeo with the ladies.” (Using the common fame of the romantic hero of the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet)
Literary Example: “The raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements.” — William Shakespeare, Macbeth (Allusion to the mythological raven as a symbol of doom)
3. Anaphora
Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
Example: “I have a dream… I have a dream…” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Literary Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
4. Antithesis
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases.
Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Literary Example: “Man proposes, God disposes.” — Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
5. Apostrophe
Directly addressing an absent person, an abstract concept, or an object.
Example: “O Death, where is thy sting?” — John Donne
Literary Example: “O Liberty, what are you?” — Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Declaration of Rights
6. Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
Example: “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”
Literary Example: “Hear the mellow wedding bells” — Edgar Allan Poe, The Bells
7. Chiasmus
A rhetorical device where two or more clauses are balanced against each other in reverse order.
Example: “Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.”
Literary Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” — John F. Kennedy
8. Climax
Climax is a device where ideas, words, or phrases are arranged in increasing order of importance, intensity, or impact, leading to a peak or turning point.
Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” — Julius Caesar
Literary Example: “The three most important things in life are to be kind, to be honest, and to be thankful.”
9. Euphemism
A polite or mild word or expression used to replace a harsher one.
Example: “He passed away” instead of “He died.”
Literary Example: “She was at rest.” — Emily Dickinson (meaning death)
10. Hyperbole
Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.
Example: “I’ve told you a million times!”
Literary Example: “I will love you till the ocean is folded and hung up to dry.” — The Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda.
11. Irony
A contrast between expectation and reality.
Example: “The fire station burned down.”
Literary Example: “It is clear that the lady doth protest too much, methinks.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Dramatic Irony)
12. Metaphor
A direct comparison between two unrelated things.
Example: “Time is a thief.”
Literary Example: “The world is a stage, and we are merely players.” — William Shakespeare, As You Like It
13. Metonymy
Replacing the name of something with the name of something closely associated with it.
Example: “The White House issued a statement.” (Referring to the President)
Literary Example: “The crown will find an heir.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet (Crown refers to the monarchy)
14. Onomatopoeia
Words that imitate natural sounds.
Example: “The buzzing of the bees.”
Literary Example: “The moan of doves in immemorial elms, and murmuring of innumerable bees.” — Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Princess
15. Oxymoron
A combination of contradictory terms.
Example: “Deafening silence.”
Literary Example: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
16. Paradox
A statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.
Example: “Less is more.”
Literary Example: “I can resist anything except temptation.” — Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere’s Fan
17. Parallelism
The repetition of grammatical structures to express related ideas.
Example: “She likes reading, writing, and singing.”
Literary Example: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
18. Personification
Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
Literary Example: “The stars danced playfully in the sky.” — John Masefield
19. Pun
A play on words that exploits multiple meanings.
Example: “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
Literary Example: “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
20. Repetition
Repeating words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis or effect.
Example: “I will not, I will not, I will not give up.”
Literary Example: “Nevermore.” — Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven (Repeated in each stanza for dramatic effect).
21. Rhetorical Question
A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer.
Example: “What’s in a name?” — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Literary Example: “Is this a dagger which I see before me?” — William Shakespeare, Macbeth
22. Sarcasm
The use of irony to mock or convey contempt.
Example: “Oh, great! Another Monday!”
Literary Example: “Oh! I am sure I shall be delighted with him.” — Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
23. Simile
A comparison using “like” or “as.”
Example: “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”
Literary Example: “His thoughts were as clear as the moon in the night sky.” — William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
24. Synecdoche
A figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or the whole represents a part.
Example: “All hands on deck.” (Hands represent sailors)
Literary Example: “The captain commands the ship.” — Herman Melville, Moby-Dick (Captain representing authority)
25. Tricolon
A series of three parallel elements.
Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” — Julius Caesar
Literary Example: “Veni, vidi, vici.” — Julius Caesar (Latin for I came, I saw, I conquered)
26. Understatement
Intentionally downplaying a situation to create a humorous or dramatic effect.
Example: “It’s just a scratch,” (when referring to a large dent in the car)
Literary Example: “Oh, I am sure I will be fine, just as sure as I’ll be elected president tomorrow.” — Mark Twain
27. Zeugma
A single word used to modify or govern two or more words, though they don’t logically go together.
Example: “He stole my heart and my wallet.”
Literary Example: “She broke his heart and his bank account.”
28. Asyndeton
Omitting conjunctions between parts of a sentence.
Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Literary Example: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” — Julius Caesar
29. Polysyndeton
The use of several conjunctions in close succession.
Example: “I ran and jumped and laughed for joy.”
Literary Example: “We have ships and men and money and stores.” — William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
30. Anticlimax
A disappointing or unsatisfying end to a situation, often following a build-up of tension.
Example: “He fought bravely in battle but ended up with a sprained ankle.”
Literary Example: “After all that talk of war, the battle ended in a game of chess.”
31. Anadiplosis
The repetition of the last word or phrase at the beginning of the next sentence or clause.
Example: “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” — Yoda, Star Wars
Literary Example: “The King is dead, long live the King!” — Various historical texts
Conclusion
Rhetorical devices are essential tools in literature that can assist a writer at the development of a much richer and powerful story. Starting with the example of metaphor and finishing with the example of anaphora, these techniques look at how the very language of a text forms our experience and interpretation. Mastering these conditions and realizing them is useful not only to literary analysis, but also to writing.
Rhetorical devices are vital weapons that every successful writer needs in a literary work to write better and pass meaningful messages to customers. Ranging from the gentle guiding of a metaphor, to the grandeur of anaphora, these devices shape how we experience literature and engage with its deeper meanings. Knowledge and awareness of these tools of rhetoric will improve your ability to analyze literature as well as your own writing.
