1. Rhetorical Devices
English 10H
Bielec

2. Repetition
Using the same word or phrase multiple times in a short period for effect.
This is not the same as parallelism.

3. Example
“Learn what makes a particular friend smile after a bad day. Learn to notice the beautiful intricacies of nature, the smell of summer in the freshly cut grass or the way the Earth whispers during a snowfall. In times of hardship, learn that a better day will come. Learn that this type of learning should never end.”

4. Parallelism
a balance of two or more similar words or phrases in structure or meaning
Parallelism is about consistency; having all the parts (verbs, nouns, adjectives, etc,) of a sentence in the same form.
Not the same as repetition
Can produce cadence

5. Examples Please leave your name, your number, and your message.
The students were asked to do their homework quickly, accurately and thoroughly.
Athletes often experience both the sweet taste of success and the bitterness of defeat.

6. Examples
“Whether it was a new author, poet, or playwright I discovered, or just a new band I was into, my mentor always listened, always cared, always learned.”
“As I grow older, I learn that character is the only thing in life that is always under your control. Character is what makes you admired or hated, trustworthy or unreliable.”
“I wanted to be cool. I wanted to be popular. I wanted to fit in. I wanted to be noticed and blend in at the same time. Only recently did I realize that, deep down, we’ve all had that fear.”

7. Rhetorical question
- A question asked to make a point rather than to elicit an answer.* It can also help introduce a line of thinking.
- Do you want to answer your question?
- Can be super powerful
- Similar to second person (“you”)
*Wikipedia

8. Examples
“I promise you that there will be times when your character is pressed or called into question. It’s in these moments where you find out what you stand for, what you are really made of. Will you crumble under the weight of stress that life sometimes brings? Or will you just push on and persevere? Will you make a sacrifice to help out someone in need? Or will you ignore the plight of others? I think I already know the answers to these questions. Prove me right.”
“So think about the choices you face in the future. Will you choose to unite? Or will you add to the divide? Will you choose love? Or will you choose hate? Will you choose to create? Or will you choose to destroy?”

9. Allusion
an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, thing, or to a part of another text.
This reference is usually historical or textual
Know your audience!

10. Example
“Lastly, character. The greatest of all virtues. As I grow older, I learn that it is the only thing in life that is always under your control. Character is what makes you admired or hated, trustworthy or unreliable. For the past three years, you’ve been learning about character in your English classes. Atticus Finch, bravely fighting Maycomb’s stereotypes. Simon, picking fruit for the littluns’ when no one else will. John Proctor climbing the gallows, sacrificing himself to become the spark that ignites Salem’s revolt. How will your character be defined? How will people speak of you when you aren’t around?”

11. Cadence A rhythm in a sequence of words, used for effect.
Alliteration, rhyme, punctuation and sentence structure all contribute to cadence.

12. example
“…sacrificing himself to become the spark that ignites Salem’s revolt.”
“One of the ultimate goals for any company that markets a product or service is to brand themselves in a way that sets them apart from the rest. Apple is on the cutting edge, an early adopter with a sleek aesthetic and a hip, youthful appeal. Starbucks is chic; a trend-setter and a morning mover. Gatorade is equal parts sweat and motivation, setting a goal, and then stopping at nothing to achieve it.”

13. Overusing “To be” Verbs

14. Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception
Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception. His plan for Othello's downfall is due to his jealousy over Cassio being appointed to lieutenant over himself. He is not able to see the distrust Emilia has for him. Iago underestimates Emilia's loyalty to Desdemona. This is played out when Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia who questions how he may misuse it against her mistress.

15. Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception
Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception. His plan for Othello's downfall is due to his jealousy over Cassio being appointed to lieutenant over himself. He is not able to see the distrust Emilia has for him. Iago underestimates Emilia's loyalty to Desdemona. This is played out when Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia who questions how he may misuse it against her mistress.

16. Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception
Iago's manipulation is also a weakness due to his deception. His plan for Othello's downfall stems from his jealousy over Cassio being appointed to lieutenant over himself. He cannot see the distrust Emilia has for him. Iago underestimates Emilia's loyalty to Desdemona. This plays out when Iago takes the handkerchief from Emilia who questions how he may misuse it against her mistress.