LITERARY AND RHETORICAL DEVICES

Rhetorical devices – is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or
reader a meaning with the goal og persuading them. It evoke an emotional response in the
readers through the use of language.
Literary devices – is a technique a writer uses to produce a special effect in his writing and to
help readers understand his writing on a deeper level.

Rhetorical device/ Meaning Example

literary device
Metaphor A figure of speech in which a word Kisses are the flowers of
or phrase is applied to an object or affection.
action to which it is not literally
applicable

Analogy A comparison between two things The structure of an atom is

typically for the purpose of like a solar system. The
explanation or clarification nucleus is the sun, and the
electrons are the plants
revolving around the sun.

Parallelism Used to persuade, motivate and/or “I don’t want to live on in

evoke emotional responses in an my work. I want my work to
audience. The balance between live on in my apartment.” –
clauses or phrases makes complex Woody Allen
thoughts easier to process while
holding the reader’s or listener’s
attention.

Repetition Is the repeating of a word or phrase. “Let it snow, let it snow, let
It is a common rhetorical device it snow.”
used to add emphases and stress in
writing and speech.