Rhetorical

Devices
Provide a definition for the following rhetorical devices in your
own Glossary words, and provide one original example of each. You
can use
Assignment the search engine at the following site for assistance.
http://grammar.about.com/

Diction: Diction refers to the use of specific words or phrases in the writer or author's unique style to
further express their feelings or thoughts
Original Example: Instead of saying “She’s tired of his attitude.” You can say “She has grown weary of his
demeanor” or “She’s exhausted of his demeanor”.
Imagery: Imagery is when a writer uses words to paint a picture in the reader's mind, making things
sound, look, feel, taste, or smell real. It helps readers imagine what's happening in the story more
clearly.
Original Example: As the fiery ball of sun kissed the ocean, turning the sky into a canvas of pinks and
oranges, I could almost taste the salt in the air and feel the warmth on my skin.
Metaphor: A metaphor is way to compare two things without using "like" or "as." It is to describe
something in a more interesting or dramatic way.
Original Example: Life is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but always an exciting
ride.
Simile: Simile is when you compare two things using "like" or "as" to show how they're similar in some
way.
Original Example: The coffee smells as comforting as a warm hug.
Personification: Personification is when you give human qualities or actions to something that isn't
human. It's making an object, animal, or idea seem like a person.
Original Example: The snowflakes twirled and danced as they fell from the night sky.
Alliteration: Alliteration is when you use the same sound or letter at the beginning of closely connected
words in a sentence or phrase.
Original Example: Busy bees buzzed busily beside the blooming blossoms.
Assonance: Assonance is similar to alliteration, but instead of repeating consonant sounds, it repeats
vowel sounds in nearby words, giving them a similar sound.
Original Example: The bright light shines on the silent night.
Euphony: Euphony is when words or sounds are nice to listen to, especially when they're put together in
a smooth and harmonious way.
Original Example: The harmonious laughter of friends gathered around a campfire.
Consonance: Consonance happens when words end with the same consonant sound, making them
sound pleasant together.
Original Example: The light in the night felt right.
Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia is when a word sounds like the noise it makes. For example, "buzz"
sounds like the buzzing of a bee, or "boom" sounds like an explosion.
Original Example: You can hear the gentle rustle of the leaves as they sway in the autumn breeze.
Hyperbole: Hyperbole is when you exaggerate something a lot to make a point or to be dramatic.
Original Example: I have a gazillion things to do today.
Rhyme: Rhyme is when words have similar sounds, especially at the end.
Original Example: As the cold wind blows, the gentle breeze brings a chill that flows.
Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is when you put two things together to show how different or similar they
are.
Original Example: Your weakness can also be your strength.
Paradox: A paradox is something that seems strange or contradictory but might actually make sense
when you think about it.
Original Example: Sometimes, the most valuable lessons in life come from failure.
Contrast: Contrast is when you show how things are different. It's like comparing two things to highlight
their differences.
Original Example:The bright lights of the city contrast with the darkness of the countryside.
Humour: Humor is a way of using funny or amusing things to make a point or entertain people. It's like
telling jokes or using witty remarks to get a laugh.
Original Example: What do you call a fish doctor? A FISHician.
Satire: Satire uses humor to criticize or ridicule something, like a social issue or a person's behavior, in
order to make a point or persuade others to see things differently.
Original Example:The company's new slogan, "We care about the environment," was printed on
disposable plastic cups.
Irony: Irony is when something happens that's the opposite of what you expect or seems contradictory
to what you would assume.
Original Example: Promoting a 'guilt-free' dessert that's loaded with sugar is a bit of a stretch.
Sarcasm: Sarcasm is the art of saying one thing but meaning another. It's giving someone a compliment
that's actually an insult.
Original Example: Sure, because who wouldn't love to pay more for the same average experience?
Sardonicism: Sardonicism is a form of sarcasm where you're making fun of something in a mean or
scornful way. It often involves mocking or ridiculing someone or something.
Original Example: Because clearly, waiting in line for hours is the epitome of a good time.
Parody: Parody is like poking fun at something by mimicking it in a humorous way. It's taking something
familiar, like a popular song or movie, and giving it a funny twist to create a new, exaggerated version.
Original Example: An example of a parody is the movie “Vampire Sucks” which is a parody film of the
movie “Twilight”
Repetition: Repetition is repeating certain words/phrases to emphasize the importance of an idea.
Original Example: How many times do you have to lie? How many times do I have to believe in you?
Parody: Parody is like poking fun at something by mimicking it in a humorous way. It's taking something
familiar, like a popular song or movie, and giving it a funny twist to create a new, exaggerated version.
Original Example: An example of a parody is the movie “Vampire Sucks” which is a parody film of the
movie “Twilight”
Allusion: Allusion is where a writer or speaker refers to a well-known person, event, place, or work of
art in order to enhance their own message.
Original Example: It was a Pandora's box situation, once opened, there was no turning back.
Mood: Mood is all about setting the vibe that the writer creates to make the reader feel certain things.
Original Example: The soft candlelight cast a romantic mood over the dinner table, making it a perfect
date night.
Tone: Tone refers to the attitude or point of view conveyed by the author through their writing.
Original Example:I remember special times with my grandparents, full of love and warmth.
Rhythm: Rhythm refers to the beat and flow of language, created by the arrangement of stressed and
unstressed syllables in speech or writing. It's like the music of words, making the text more engaging and
impactful.
Original Example: In the kitchen, chopping veggies feels like dancing. Each slice and dice adds to the
tasty tune of flavors I'm making.
Symbol: Symbol is where an object, person, situation, or action is used to represent something.
Original Example: As the sun set below the horizon, it felt like the end of one chapter and the beginning
of a new one in my own life's story.
Syntax: Syntax refers to how words and phrases are organized to make a meaningful and grammatically
correct sentences.
Original Example: As the storm clouds gathered ominously overhead, I hurriedly gathered my belongings
and raced for shelter.