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Questions and Answers
What is the main purpose of a "red herring" in an essay?
What is the main purpose of a "red herring" in an essay?
Which point of view allows the narrator to access the thoughts and feelings of all characters in a story?
Which point of view allows the narrator to access the thoughts and feelings of all characters in a story?
In which scenario would an essayist likely use an informal register?
In which scenario would an essayist likely use an informal register?
Which of these is NOT a common essay structure used for persuasion?
Which of these is NOT a common essay structure used for persuasion?
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How can understanding an author's syntax help a reader better understand their argument?
How can understanding an author's syntax help a reader better understand their argument?
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Which rhetorical device is often used to introduce a new idea or argument in an essay?
Which rhetorical device is often used to introduce a new idea or argument in an essay?
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Which of the following is a type of persuasive essay structure that highlights the similarities and differences between two ideas?
Which of the following is a type of persuasive essay structure that highlights the similarities and differences between two ideas?
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What is the main difference between a simile and a metaphor?
What is the main difference between a simile and a metaphor?
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Which type of point of view uses the pronoun "I" to tell the story?
Which type of point of view uses the pronoun "I" to tell the story?
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Which of the following is an example of an understatement?
Which of the following is an example of an understatement?
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What is the primary purpose of using rhetorical devices in writing?
What is the primary purpose of using rhetorical devices in writing?
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Which of the following best describes an allusion?
Which of the following best describes an allusion?
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What is an example of anaphora?
What is an example of anaphora?
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Which rhetorical device involves making a comparison to assist understanding?
Which rhetorical device involves making a comparison to assist understanding?
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Which of the following is an example of antithesis?
Which of the following is an example of antithesis?
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What does assonance refer to in language?
What does assonance refer to in language?
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Which device involves the descent of ideas in order of importance?
Which device involves the descent of ideas in order of importance?
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Which of the following best describes an anecdote?
Which of the following best describes an anecdote?
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What technique involves the repetition and arrangement of two key terms in the pattern ABBA?
What technique involves the repetition and arrangement of two key terms in the pattern ABBA?
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Which literary device uses exaggeration for effect?
Which literary device uses exaggeration for effect?
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What is the term for a complete statement made before the end of a sentence?
What is the term for a complete statement made before the end of a sentence?
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What does connotation refer to in language?
What does connotation refer to in language?
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Which technique involves juxtaposing words that are directly opposite in meaning?
Which technique involves juxtaposing words that are directly opposite in meaning?
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What is a metaphor?
What is a metaphor?
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Which literary device gives human attributes to non-human entities?
Which literary device gives human attributes to non-human entities?
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What type of sentence ends with the most important item from an independent clause?
What type of sentence ends with the most important item from an independent clause?
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What is the purpose of a pun in writing?
What is the purpose of a pun in writing?
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Which device uses understatement for effect?
Which device uses understatement for effect?
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What is a rhetorical question?
What is a rhetorical question?
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What does parallel structure in writing enhance?
What does parallel structure in writing enhance?
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What is an analogy used for in arguments?
What is an analogy used for in arguments?
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What does 'juxtaposition' mean in literary terms?
What does 'juxtaposition' mean in literary terms?
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Which of the following best describes hyperbole?
Which of the following best describes hyperbole?
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What is an 'anecdote' typically used to convey?
What is an 'anecdote' typically used to convey?
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How does an appeal to ethos function in writing?
How does an appeal to ethos function in writing?
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What is the primary purpose of using irony in literature?
What is the primary purpose of using irony in literature?
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Which option best exemplifies 'loaded diction'?
Which option best exemplifies 'loaded diction'?
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What is the function of parallelism in writing?
What is the function of parallelism in writing?
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Which of the following is an example of a metaphor?
Which of the following is an example of a metaphor?
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What role does 'imagery' play in writing?
What role does 'imagery' play in writing?
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What does the term 'expletive' refer to in writing?
What does the term 'expletive' refer to in writing?
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Which literary device uses understatement for rhetorical effect?
Which literary device uses understatement for rhetorical effect?
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How does 'fallacy' operate within an argument?
How does 'fallacy' operate within an argument?
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What is the function of an 'oxymoron' in writing?
What is the function of an 'oxymoron' in writing?
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Study Notes
Rhetorical Devices
- Definition: Rhetorical devices are techniques used to convey meaning, persuade, or evoke emotions. Many are forms of figurative language.
Types of Rhetorical Devices
Structure & Style
- Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example: "The majestic, the magnificent Mississippi..."
- Allusion: Reference to a familiar person, place, or thing (literature, mythology, history, etc.). Economical way to evoke ideas. Examples: "Eden," "Cleopatra," "Romeo."
- Analogy: Comparing unlike things to aid understanding. For example, comparing something abstract to something concrete.
- Anaphora: Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: "We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground."
- Anecdote: Short narrative to introduce a subject or make a point.
- Anti-climax: Organizing ideas in descending order of importance. Example: "The letters were about architecture, art galleries and dry cleaning."
- Antithesis: Contrasting ideas presented side-by-side. Example: "To pity distress is human; to relieve it is godlike."
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. Example: "The deep, green stream looked appealing."
- Balance: Repetition of word arrangement. Example: "To pity distress is human; to relieve it is godlike."
- Chiasmus: Repetition of key terms in a reversed order (ABBA pattern). Example: "We should work to live, not live to work."
- Climax: Arranging words, phrases, or clauses in ascending order of importance. Example: "A word from his lips might change their opinion, ignite their passions, and affect their destiny."
- Connotation: The implied feelings or emotions associated with a word (positive or negative). Example: "Village" vs. "hick town"
- Contrast: Placing opposite ideas side-by-side. Example: "The author deals very lightly with a dark period in Canadian history."
- Hyperbole: Exaggeration. Example: "If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million times!"
- Inversion: Varying the normal subject-verb-object order for emphasis. Example: "That story I did not believe."
- Irony: Saying one thing but meaning the opposite. Example: "A terrible stench may be called perfume."
- Litotes: Understatement. Example: "Churchill was a politician of no mean stature."
- Loose Sentence: Completing a statement before the end. Example: "A boy paddled his canoe down the river flowing past his home."
- Metaphor: Comparison of unlike things for a shared quality. Example: "All the world’s a stage."
- Metonymy: Substituting a related word for another. Example: "The kettle boiled" (referring to the water boiling).
- Paradox: A seemingly contradictory statement. Example: "The Graduate" "After years of hard work, Dustin Hoffman became an overnight success."
- Parallel Structure: Structuring elements similarly to highlight relationships. Example: parallel nouns, adjectives, verb phrases, infinitive phrases.
- Periodic Sentence: Important element at the end. Example: "After... he built... and struck it rich."
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: "The waves caressed Bill."
- Position: Placing important ideas strategically to grab attention. Example: "The city, full of noise..."
- Pun: Play on words with similar sounds, different meanings. Example: "Is life worth living? It depends on the liver."
- Repetition: Repeating words for emphasis and rhythm. Example: "The wind blew under them, the wind blew around them, the wind blew through them."
- Rhetorical Question: A question not expecting an answer. Example: "Will this class ever end?"
- Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as." Example: "Bill’s temper is as hot as molten lava."
- Symbol: Something that represents something larger than itself. Example: dove (peace), white (purity).
- Allegory: Story with a second layer of meaning, often using symbols, like a fable.
Style and Appeals
- Diction: Word choices; consider why the author chose certain words.
- Euphemism: Substituting a milder expression for a harsh one.
- Expletive: Words or phrases used grammatically to add emphasis.
- Fallacy: Use of flawed logic.
- Humor: Consider the writer's purpose for using humor.
- Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect.
- Imagery: Descriptive language engaging senses (types: visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, organic, kinesthetic).
- Invective: Angry, insulting language in satirical writing.
- Loaded Diction: Emotionally charged words to sway opinion unfairly.
- Motif: Recurrent device or situation.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds.
- Oxymoron: Combining contradictory elements for effect.
- Paradox: Statement seeming contradictory, but possibly containing truth.
- Parody: Satirical imitation of a work for ridicule.
- Point of View (POV): Angle of telling a story–omniscient, limited omniscient, first person, objective.
- Red Herring: Distracting from the main point.
- Register/tone: Formal or informal language style, overall mood.
- Sarcasm: Verbal irony; praise seeming like criticism.
- Structure: Organizing elements of an argument (compare/contrast, cause/effect, definition, persuasion/argument).
- Syntax: Order of words; effect of the word order.
- Understatement: Representing something as less important than it is.
- Warrant: Underlying assumptions, values, or beliefs.
- Appeal: Appeals to persuade—ethics (ethos), logic (logos), emotion (pathos).
- Juxtaposition: Placing contrasting ideas side-by-side to highlight differences.
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Description
Explore the various rhetorical devices used in literature and speech. This quiz covers definitions, examples, and the functions of techniques such as alliteration, allusion, and analogy. Test your understanding of how these devices enhance communication and persuasion.
