Rhetorical Devices and Techniques Quiz

A diagram showing the relationships between a writer/speaker, reader/listener, and the text/subject in a rhetorical situation.

An ironic composition that criticizes aspects of humanity or society through humor or ridicule.

Using a part to represent the whole, like "Hollywood" for the American film industry.

Sentence structure; the order of words and how they are arranged in a sentence.

The writer/speaker's attitude toward their subject.

Intentionally making something seem less important than it is.

A word applies to multiple nouns, but the meaning is distinct for each.

A reference in a text to another text or idea, creating a connection

Comparing two different things to explain something

Repeated words/phrases at sentence beginnings for emphasis

A short story to illustrate a point

Using opposite ideas together for effect

Methods of persuasion: ethos, logos, pathos

Persuasion through credibility and character

Persuading with logic and reason

Persuasion through emotions

Reversing the order of parallel terms

The main point of an argument

Informal words or phrases

Acknowledging an opposing viewpoint

The implied or associated meaning of a word

The dictionary definition of a word

A writer's word choice

A polite way to say something unpleasant

Exaggeration used for emphasis

Language that creates a sensory experience

A conclusion based on evidence

Contrast between expectation and reality

Reader knows something characters don't

Opposite of what is expected occurs

Saying the opposite of what is meant

Placing contrasting items side-by-side to emphasize differences

Implied comparison without "like" or "as"

Using an attribute to refer to something

Words that imitate sounds

A statement that seems contradictory but is true

Similar structure in phrases or clauses

The author's voice or character in a story

Interpreting statements to be as reasonable as possible

Art of effective communication (persuasive technique)

Author's stylistic choices to achieve effects

Question asked for effect, not to get an answer

Ironic criticism of society/humanity through humor

Using a part to represent the whole

Sentence Structure

The author's attitude towards the subject

Intentionally making something seem less significant

A single word applies to multiple nouns with distinct meanings