Aim: How do rhetorical devices decorate our writing? Do Now/Quick Write #5: Describe the style of Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” using only monosyllabic words. What is the effect of using this kind of diction? Which rhetorical form does it resemble?

Rhetorical Devices: The Gems of Writing Metonymy Synecdoche Apostrophe Anaphora Cataphora Polysyndeton Asyndeton Chiasmus Diacope Parallel structure

Metonymy Another form of metaphor, in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject for which it stands. Another form of metaphor, in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject for which it stands. Hint: “Closely associated with” is the key concept here. You can’t fight city hall (A metaphor for the mayor, or his subordinates)

Synecdoche A type of metaphor in which a part of a subject stands for the whole subject A type of metaphor in which a part of a subject stands for the whole subject I saw some new faces in the meeting today. The word “faces” is the synecdoche and is used instead of the word “people.”

Apostrophe Interrupts the narrative and directly addresses a person (or idea, or deity). Its most common purpose in prose is to give vent to intense emotions. It is used as a kind of formal invocation. Interrupts the narrative and directly addresses a person (or idea, or deity). Its most common purpose in prose is to give vent to intense emotions. It is used as a kind of formal invocation. Hint: The interjection “O” or “Oh” usually appears in this rhetorical device. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets…!

Anaphora The deliberate repetition of the same word (or group of words) at the very beginning of several consecutive phrases. The deliberate repetition of the same word (or group of words) at the very beginning of several consecutive phrases. Mad world! Mad kings! Mad competition! (William Shakespeare, King John, Act 2.1)

Cataphora Words or phrases like pronouns are cataphora when they point forwards to something later on in the text Words or phrases like pronouns are cataphora when they point forwards to something later on in the text Wordsphrasespronounstext Wordsphrasespronounstext As he was unaccustomed to it, Jake found the pressure very hard to deal with. Here, it is cataphoric because it refers forwards to the noun pressure Here, it is cataphoric because it refers forwards to the noun pressurenoun

Polysyndeton The use of a conjunction between each phrase in a series of phrases, and is thus structurally the opposite of asyndeton. The rhetorical effect of polysyndeton, however, like asyndeton, creates a feeling of energetic enumeration, of building momentum. The use of a conjunction between each phrase in a series of phrases, and is thus structurally the opposite of asyndeton. The rhetorical effect of polysyndeton, however, like asyndeton, creates a feeling of energetic enumeration, of building momentum.

Example of Polysyndeton I said, “Who killed?” and he said, “I don’t know who killed him, but he’s dead all right,” and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights or windows broke and boats all up in the town and trees blown down and everything all blown and I got a skiff and went out and found my boat where I had her inside Mango Key… I said, “Who killed?” and he said, “I don’t know who killed him, but he’s dead all right,” and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights or windows broke and boats all up in the town and trees blown down and everything all blown and I got a skiff and went out and found my boat where I had her inside Mango Key… (Earnest Hemingway, After the Storm)

Asyndeton Conjunctions are purposely omitted from a series of related phrases. The rhetorical effect is an energetic one. Conjunctions are purposely omitted from a series of related phrases. The rhetorical effect is an energetic one. I have done it. You have heard me. The facts are before you. I ask for your judgment. (Aristotle, Rhetoric, Book III) (Aristotle, Rhetoric, Book III)

Chiasmus A figure of speech employing two phrases (or clauses) whereby the order of key words in the first phrase (or clause) is then reversed in the second phrase (or clause). Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Diacope Uninterrupted repetition of a word or phrase. Or, the repetition of a word or a phrase in which the repetition is briefly interrupted by one or two words. Uninterrupted repetition of a word or phrase. Or, the repetition of a word or a phrase in which the repetition is briefly interrupted by one or two words. Hint: The purpose of this device is to emphasize important words. Hint: The purpose of this device is to emphasize important words.

Example of Diacope All lost! To prayers, to prayers! All lost! All lost! To prayers, to prayers! All lost! (William Shakespeare, The Tempest) (William Shakespeare, The Tempest) “All lost” is interrupted; “to prayers” is uninterrupted. Both are examples of diacope.

Parallelism A series of phrases that displays identical characteristics. If those phrases contain verbs, it is especially important that the tenses of the verbs within each phrase be identical in order for the entire sequence to be considered truly parallel. A series of phrases that displays identical characteristics. If those phrases contain verbs, it is especially important that the tenses of the verbs within each phrase be identical in order for the entire sequence to be considered truly parallel. He walked down the aisle, through the door, and into the room.

Can you identify the rhetorical devices? I came, I saw, I conquered (Julius Caesar). Asyndeton One should eat to live, not live to eat. Chiasmus

What about these? It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness… Anaphora One would have thought that we would find willing ears on the part of the newspapers. Synecdoche

Can you handle a few more? O books who alone are liberal and free, who give to all who ask of you and enfranchise all who serve you faithfully. Apostrophe Patience, Iago, Patience. Diacope

Your Rhetorical Toolbox is complete! Now that you know these terms, we will be using them throughout the year. The goal is more than just observation; we want to be able to understand the EFFECT these devices have as apart of a larger analysis of the rhetoric in this year’s course.