MIN 315 Biblical Preaching Rhetorical Tools

Alliteration Repetition of the same sound beginning several words in a sequence. ̶“Let us go forth to lead the land we love.” (J. F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address) ̶Veni, vidi, vici (Julius Ceasar)

Alliteration Repetition of the same sound beginning several words in a sequence. ̶“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Anaphora Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, or lines. ̶“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”(Churchill)

Anaphora Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, or lines. ̶It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

Antistrophe Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive phrases, or lines. ̶In 1931, Japan invaded Manchukuo—without warning. In 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia—without warning. In 1938, Hitler occupied Austria—without warning. In 1939, Hiltler invaded Czechoslovaki—without warning. Later in 1939, Hilter invaded Poland—without warning. And now Japan has attacked Malaya and Thailand and the Unites States—without warning. (Franklin Roosevelt)

Antistrophe Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive phrases, or lines. ̶“A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break the bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day. This day we fight…” (Tolkien, Return of the King)

Hyperbole Exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. ̶“My grandmother is as old as the hills.” ̶“This suitcase is as heavy as an elephant.” ̶If anyone comes after me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters— yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”

Metaphor Comparison through a figurative use of words: ̶“The teacher was boiling mad.” ̶“The Lord is my shepherd.” ̶Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.” ̶“You are the salt of the earth.”