50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing

50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing 50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing 50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing By Mark Nichol Is rhetorician on your resume? It should be, because I’d be surprised if you haven’t employed one or more of the methods listed below for conveying emphasis to your writing. Rhetoric, the art of persuasive written or spoken discourse, was developed in ancient Greece, and every one of the terms below stems from classical Greek or from Latin, the language of the culture that inherited the Greek oratory legacy. But that should be no obstacle to adding these tried-and-true tools to your argumentative armamentarium, because brief definitions, as well as examples, accompany this exhaustive but by no means complete list: 1. Amplification An expansion of detail to clarify a point: â€Å"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.† 2. Anacoluthon A sudden break in a sentence’s grammatical structure: â€Å"So, then I pulled up to her house are you still with me here?† 3. Anadiplosis Repetition of words, especially located at the end of one phrase or clause and the beginning of the next: â€Å"I was at a loss for words, words that perhaps would have gotten me into even more trouble.† 4. Anaphora Repetition of one or more words at the head of consecutive phrases, clauses, or sentences: â€Å"I came, I saw, I conquered.† 5. Anastrophe Inversion of word order to mark emphasis: â€Å"Enter the forest primeval.† 6. Antanaclasis Repetition of a word in a sentence in which a different meaning is applied each time: â€Å"If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired, with enthusiasm.† 7. Antanagoge The contradiction of a negative comment with a positive one, as in â€Å"The car wouldn’t start this time, but it least it didn’t catch on fire.† 8. Antimetabole Reversal of repeated words or phrases for effect: â€Å"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. 9. Antiphrasis Ironic use of a single word: â€Å"It was a cool 100 degrees in the shade.† 10. Antistrophe Repetition of a word or phrase at the close of successive clauses: â€Å"You said he was late true enough. You said he was not prepared true enough. You said he did not defend his statements true enough.† 11. Antithesis Contrast within parallel phrases (not to be confused with the ordinary use of the word to mean â€Å"extreme opposite†): â€Å"Many are called, but few are chosen.† The term can also refer to literary characters who, though not necessarily antagonists, represent opposite personal characteristics or moral views. 12. Apophasis Calling attention to something by dismissing it: â€Å"No one would suggest that those who are homeless elected to live on the streets willingly.† 13. Aporia A statement of hesitation, also known as dubitatio, in which characters express to themselves an actual or feigned doubt or dilemma: â€Å"Should I strike now, or bide my time?† 14. Aposiopesis Abrupt discontinuation of a statement: â€Å"If you say that one more time, I’m gonna † 15. Apostrophe Interruption of thought to directly address a person or a personification: â€Å"So, I ask you, dear reader, what would you have me do?† 16. Asyndeton Absence of conjunctions: â€Å"We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.† 17. Auxesis Exaggeration, often with sequential enhancement: â€Å"You found my purse? You are a hero, a prince, a god!† 18. Bdelygmia A rant of abusive language: â€Å"Calling you an idiot would be an insult to stupid people. Are you always this stupid, or are you just making a special effort today?† 19. Bomphiologia Excessive braggadocio: â€Å"I am the very model of a modern major-general. I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral.† Also known as verborum bombus. 20. Brachyology An abbreviated expression or telegrammatic statement: â€Å"‘Morning,’ he mumbled as he stumbled out of bed†; â€Å"I have three words for you, buddy: pot, kettle, black.† 21. Cacophony Deliberate use of harsh letter sounds: â€Å"The clash and clang of steel jarred him awake.† 22. Catachresis A hyperbolic metaphor, as in â€Å"Each word was a lightning bolt to his heart.† 23. Chiasmus This is the reversal of grammatical order from one phrase to the next, exemplified in these two well-known quotes about evaluation: â€Å"Judge not, lest ye be judged† and â€Å"A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.† 24. Commoratio Repetition of a point with different wording: â€Å"He’s passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! He’s expired and gone to meet his maker!† (etc., ad absurdum) 25. Dehortatio Imperative advice about how not to act: â€Å"Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.† 26. Diacope Repetition of one or more words after the interval of one or more other words: â€Å"People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.† 27. Diatyposis Advice: â€Å"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.† 28. Distinctio A definition or clarification of a term: â€Å"What we will be seeking . . . will be large, stable communities of like-minded people, which is to say relatives.† 29. Epanelepsis Starting and ending a phrase, clause, or a sentence, or a passage, with the same word or phrase: â€Å"Nothing is worse than doing nothing.† 30. Epistrophe The repetition of a word at the end of each phrase or clause: â€Å"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.† 31. Epizeuxis Epizeuxis, epizeuxis, epizeuxis! My favorite new word, also called palilogia, refers to nothing more than the repetition of words: â€Å"To my fifteen-year-old daughter, everything is ‘boring, boring, boring!’† 32. Hendiadys A conjunctive rather than a coordinate phrase: â€Å"I made it nice and hot, just the way you like it.† 33. Hyperbaton Excursion from natural word order in various ways: â€Å"Theirs was a glory unsurpassed†; â€Å"It is a sad story but true.† 34. Hysteron-proteron A reversal of logical order of elements in a phrase: â€Å"Sudden thunder and lightning drove them to shelter.† 35. Litotes This is the strategy of understatement often employed to provide subtle emphasis, frequently for ironic effect or to underline a passionate opinion: â€Å"The assassin was not unacquainted with danger.† 36. Meiosis A dismissive epithet, such as treehugger, or a humorously dismissive understatement (also known as tapinosis), such as the Monty Python and the Holy Grail gem â€Å"It’s just a flesh wound!† 37. Metanoia The qualification of a statement to either diminish or strengthen its tone, as in â€Å"She was disturbed make that appalled by the spectacle.† Traditionally, nay is often a keyword that sets up the shift, but no replaces it in modern usage except in facetious or whimsical writing: â€Å"You are the fairest flower in the garden nay, in the entire meadow.† 38. Paronomasia Punning wordplay, including any of many types, including homophonic or homographic puns, both of which are included in this example: â€Å"You can tune a guitar, but you can’t tuna fish. Unless of course, you play bass.† 39. Pleonasm Redundancy for emphasis: â€Å"We heard it with our own ears.† 40. Polyptoton Repetition of two or more forms of a word; also known as paregmenon: â€Å"You try to forget, and in the forgetting, you are yourself forgotten.† 41. Polysyndeton Insertion of conjunctions before each word in a list: â€Å"My fellow students read and studied and wrote and passed. I laughed and played and talked and failed.† 42. Scesis Onomaton Repetition of an idea using synonymous words or phrases: â€Å"We succeeded, won, and walked away victorious.† 43. Sententia The punctuation of a point with an aphorism such as â€Å"Don’t judge a book by its cover.† 44. Sentential Adverbs These single words or brief phrases emphasize the thought they precede, interrupt, or rarely follow. Examples include however, naturally, no doubt, and of course and, in informal writing, phrases such as â€Å"you see.† 45. Syllepsis Divergent use of a word in two phrases: â€Å"We must all hang together or assuredly we will all hang separately.† 46. Symploce A combination of anaphora and epistrophe: â€Å"To think clearly and rationally should be a major goal for man; but to think clearly and rationally is always the greatest difficulty faced by man.† 47. Synathroesmus A series of adjectives, also known as accumulatio, compiled often in the service of criticism: â€Å"You’re the most arrogant, selfish, self-absorbed, insufferable narcissist I’ve ever met!† 48. Synecdoche Substitution of a part or a substance for a whole, one thing for another, or a specific name used for a generic: â€Å"A hundred head of cattle were scattered throughout the field†; â€Å"A regiment of horse paraded by†; â€Å"The swordsmen unsheathed their steel†; â€Å"Do you have a Kleenex?† 49. Tapinosis Invective: â€Å"Get out of my way, you mouth-breathing cretin.† 50. Tricolon A series of three parallel words, phrases, clauses, or statements: â€Å"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Fly, Flew, (has) FlownFlied?Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)Adverbs and Hyphens

12 Trucking Tips to Drive Safer This Winter

12 Trucking Tips to Drive Safer This Winter I don’t know about where you are, but here in New York, autumn has finally caught up to us. All the trees are racing to turn to yellow and red, and if this year’s anything like the last two, we’ve got some frigid temperature and blustery snowstorms to look forward to. Many drivers who find themselves in winter conditions forget some basics- they don’t change their driving skills or brush up on maneuvering and skid control. Make sure you’re up-to-date on the preventative safety skills that could save your life or someone else’s.If you’re still on the road this time of year, here are some important safety suggestions from the experts at Smart-Trucking.com.1. Slow DownThe speed limit may tell you the legal max, but it can’t read road conditions or understand delays in stop time the way you can. Don’t let your eagerness to finish a trip make you hurry when it’s not safe.2. Follow SafelyWhen possible, leave 1/4 mile bet ween you and the vehicle in front of you, and try to give space to the vehicles next to you, too. Remember that if you’re driving with a group, the mistake the front truck makes can impact everyone else.3. Get Out of the PackFor that reason alone, try not to drive in the packs traffic tends to organize itself into- your goal should be attaining the maximum distance around your vehicle.4. Don’t Fixate on Tail LightsIt can be tempting to focus on the lights of the car in front of you when visibility or weather conditions get overwhelming, but if you can see them you’re probably too close!5. Don’t Stop on the ShoulderOther cars and trucks in low visibility may not be able to figure out your truck has pulled over or even that it’s stopped, and they could slam into your rear axle before they knew what was happening. Try to get to a truck stop or weigh station- anywhere you can pull fully off the road.6. Don’t Try to Be a HeroEven if you pride you rself on always being on schedule or arriving before your deadlines, remember that pushing yourself when the weather is inclement is not worth risking your safety. Balance the pressure you feel coming from dispatches or service rules with concern for your life and others on the road.7. Don’t Jake BrakeBe especially aware of the risks of employing your jake brake and over-using your footbrake on icy and snowy roads. You may find yourself sliding and spinning out of control, especially when the trailer is empty.8. Pay Extra Attention to your Circle CheckMake sure all your systems are fully functional- you don’t want the defroster, the heater, the wipers, or the lights (particularly the brake and tail lights) to go down on you in the middle of a scary stretch of road. Make sure everything that has a level is full to capacity. If possible, have extras stored away in case you need to refill mid-drive.9. Stay Fueled UpFull fuel tanks mean extra weight on your drive tires, wh ich helps with traction and stability. Make sure your tires have enough pressure for winter driving, as well.10. Keep Your Lights CleanWhenever you can stop, make sure to clear off your head and tail lights, particularly if you’re equipped with LED lights. Make sure you’re visible, so other drivers can adjust if they need.11. Pack an Emergency KitYour kit should have necessities for servicing your truck, but also the basics to help you hunker down if necessary: a change of warm clothes, a bottle of water, hand-warmers, first aid kit, batteries, a flashlight, and flares. Also,  consider investing in portable chargers for any electronics you carry regularly.12. Get off the RoadWhen in doubt, use your common sense and best judgment about when it’s time to get off the road. It may make for a great war story to power through a terrible blizzard and make your delivery dates, but I guarantee people would rather remember the time you arrived a day late, alive and well , than the horrific accident that kept you from arriving at all. Know when to pull off the road. Remember that you’ll be the one ultimately held accountable for whether you drove or parked to wait it out.

Sex and Relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sex and Relationship - Essay Example hese are often no longer connected to how a person is seen in legal or individual terms but some differences still divide people and cause debate where there should be none. Homosexuality or being gay is one such position where unwanted discrimination or even harassment may be conducted against a person. As discussed by the article, relationships between gay individuals should have as much legal value as they hold between straight couples. Denying this right becomes a negative influence on the relationships between gay couples. I feel that such positions are not only harmful for the gay individual against whom they are committed but also against the social setup since they harm the interests of a just and free society. What society needs to create is a legal structure for rights regarding homosexuals because the current situation offers protections to gays only pertaining to their individual rights but does allow them equal rights when it comes to creating a family. Heterosexual couples can adopt children much easier than homosexual couples. The tax/economic benefits given to heterosexual couples are much better than the ones awarded to a homosexual couple (IGLHRC, 2006). Of course, the single cause of the discrimination between the two sets of couples is their personal sexual lives. If our country remains divided on the issue and continues to enforce a pattern of discrimination against homosexual unions in marriage, we would only be reducing our total output as a country. By creating lesser human beings in legal terms and not allowing gay unions in marriage or gay rights as groups of individuals, the law makers of today would create problems for the society of tomorrow. There may not be an armed resistance movement, but the country would certainly be treating some of its citizens as lesser than the others. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as given by the United Nations declares as its first article that, â€Å"All human beings are born free and equal in

Woman in Business Management Personal Statement

Woman in Business Management - Personal Statement Example Being a woman, I have always desired Jewellery and tilted towards diamonds. I had a strong inclination towards commencing my own Jewellery business but I had no practical know-how of market trends, supply and demand information, supply chain and distribution channels, consumer preferences and tastes, demographics, lifestyles, attitudes, and behaviors towards this industry. Unequivocally, I learned the aforementioned concepts during my academics, yet I felt I still need a near to accurate recognition of market facts, that to be honest, theory and books do not necessarily provide. A time came when I, fortunately, met an industry expert and a professional business executive, employed at Amrapali Jewels, a diamond Jewellery boutique located in Knights Bridge. After some formal introduction and discussion, I expressed my concern that I was interested in doing an internship in her industry. She appreciated my interest and provided some guidance and direction regarding the recruitment and s election process (test and interview procedure). In short, I successfully cleared all the stages and called for my internship. Â   Delighted by my progress, I joined the Jewellery Boutique. Before sharing my actual experiences at Amrapali Jewels, I first would like to describe my predefined objectives. As far as my Knowledge goals are concerned, I had an intention to gain an insight about the entire Diamond Jewellery Purchase and Sales process, comprising of Jewellery designing, supply, display, pricing, consumer preferences and face to face customer and direct marketing. I also wanted to know about security measures and precautions being adopted by the store for safety purposes.

Guernicas History Essay -- Art Paintings Pablo Picasso Guernica Essay

Guernica's History The word art is an encompassing one, vastly interpreted and with multiple definitions. In the case of Picasso's painting Guernica, art informs, educates and expresses. Its power lies in its ability to capture and compel an audience nearly six decades after the modern world's "other" day of infamy. To understand fully the painting that evolved out of the Spanish painter's outrage, one must know its context. "Why do you think I date everything I do? Because it is not sufficient to know an artist's works--it is also necessary to know when he did them, why, under what circumstances" (Picasso). An appreciator who knows the saga of Spain's historical fishing village is given a depth of experience that only a genius like Picasso could portray --"it may well be the most terrifying document on the horrors of war ever to be produced by an artist" (Wertenbaker 126). Most people do not even know that the ancient Basque village Guernica exits, let alone that one third of its citizens were senselessly slaughtered or wounded in little more than three hours. On April 26, 1937, German bombers attacked Guernica, an open city. The unprovoked attack began at 4:30, the busiest hour of a market day. The streets were jammed with townspeople and peasants from the countryside. Never before in modern warfare had noncombatants been slaughtered in such numbers, and by such means (Wertenbaker 1967). During the Spanish Civil War Franco's army was often assisted by Germany. The Nazi General Goering's policy was to use the Spanish Civil War as an arena for trying out the airmen and planes of his new Luftwaffe . The Condor Legion was headed by Wolfram Von Richthofen, the cousin of the near mythical Red Baron of the First World War. V... ...e bombing of the ancient Basque town would now be almost forgotten. Picasso's monumental painting reminds humankind of one of the first acts of modern "total war" waged against a defenseless population. Picasso's painting is the quintessential example of humankind's senseless inhumanity to humankind. It creates a horrific image of humankind with which the observer must reckon. Through the art of Guernica Picasso educates us not only about April 26, 1937, but also about humankind and our tradition of war. WORKS CITED Chipp, Herschel, B. Picasso's Guernica. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988. Fisch, Eberhard. Guernica. New Cranbury: Associated University Press, 1983. Gordan, Thomas and Max Morgan. Guernica: The Crucible of WWII. New York: Witts, Stein, and Day, 1975. Wertenbaker, Lael. The World of Picasso. New York: Time-Life Books, 1967.

Food and Religion Essay

Food is a very important aspect in three main religions in the world, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. In a Jewish culture, food is often regarded in feasts or celebration such as the Passover. Jews usually prepare bread, wine, apples, nuts, cinnamon, eggs, lamb, vegetables, and cakes (McGilly, 2005). Islamic culture and Jewish cultures have almost the same type of cuisine and foods prepared especially during the early periods. Milk, lamb, breads, wine, apples, cheese, honey and dates are some of the common Arab foods. On the other hand, Christians are known for their bread and wine. Jerusalem, Egypt, and Middle East are in a desert region where early people lived as shepherds. They are called nomads because they move from place to place where there is plenty of food for their goats and herds of sheep. Wheat and barley were the common crops then used in making bread and cakes. Besides the nomads, there are also agricultural regions where different crops are planted. The plants by the early and present Israelites are much the same such as olives, honey, pomegranates, figs, date, grapes; and foods and beverages such as breads, cheese, yogurt, roast lamb, milk, and of course, wine. Wine is the most common beverage drank in occasions such as the Passover and wedding. Another major plant is the olive tree which is highly regarded because of its many uses such as oil for cooking, wood for fire, and medicine (â€Å"Great Feasts of the Bible,† 2002). Foods are the main ingredient in Jewish and Christian feasts such as the Passover. Passover is celebrated as the salvation of the Israelite slaves in Egypt. During the Passover, unleavened, roasted lamb, and bitter herbs are commonly prepared. Passover is celebrated in other regions as Easter (Christian festival) in America and Europe. Although celebrated in different dates and regarded as different occasions, they share a theme for both Christian holiday and Christ’s resurrection. Passover was also celebrated by Jesus Christ as his Last Supper before his death (â€Å"Great Feasts of the Bible,† 2002). REFERENCES: Great Feasts of the Bible. (2002). McGilly, J. (2005). Jewish Foods. Retrieved 16 September, 2007, from http://www. ilperetz. org/graduates/joshua_mcgilly. htm

The famous masterpiece Mona Lisa created by the late great...

The famous masterpiece Mona Lisa created by the late great Leonardo da Vinci was a true outstanding that really defined the aspect of art. This mysterious woman has numerous minds wondering what she’s thinking and the million dollar question â€Å"do her eyes actually follow you?† The context behind the story of this painting is so superior. It’s amazing that the painting was left unfinished after it was lingered for over four years, wasn’t complete. It speaks truth, in small significant details, about life, and shows the expression of unfathomable. The background information of the Mona Lisa stated. Mona Lisa was the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in the late 1503 and was unable to finish. This painting is a†¦show more content†¦He made all the color either balance or blend together. Also how the colors matches with color of the fame. He made a great choice by using mostly warm colors in his painting. He used colors such brown, nutmeg, red, and dark green, very Mother Nature type, colors take that describe her. The texture of was very soft and mellow. He wants to show that, this woman is a warm, loving and caring person. She’s also very motherly and devoted. You can see the glow in her face and nurturing of her second son birth. The light on her face showed the glow on her. Her eyes felt like you were looking into her soul and she was looking into yours. He used geometric shapes; the roundness of her head and on her fingers. You can see the symmetry on her lips and eyes but the asymmetry of the mountains. Vinci uses abundant of water base colors in this painting as well as some red. This was to let the background of the road to pop out. The soft colors also make the painting a more edgily and slightly rough. The way the he painted her was with a very light bush, it didn’t leave any marks from the brush. He balanced the dark and light colors together, so that it can bring out the beauty of the painting and the person. From every line and every stroke, he timed himself carefully, with patience and grace. He made his audience really go into a deep thought about life and the impact of careful thinking. He also made his audience see the beauty in a