rhetorical devices & effects

• alliteration definition

  • Repetition of initial consonant sound
• alliteration effect

  • grasps reader's attention & makes them focus on that particular line/section
• anaphora definition

  • Repeating the first part of a sentence
• anaphora effect

  • adds rhythm & makes it easier to remember; puts emphasis on those words
• antithesis definition

  • having two opposite ideas in a sentence
• antithesis effect

  • highlights the difference between the two opposite ideas by placing them right next to each other in the same sentence
• epiphora definition

  • repeating the ending words of a sentence
• epiphora effect

  • conveys importance of the repeated words; puts emphasis on the words; adds a rhythm to the text
• hyperbole definition

  • exaggeration of ideas
• hyperbole effect

  • adds an amusing effect to text; emphasises the idea
• metaphor definition

  • comparing two things by saying something 'is' something else
• metaphor effect

  • gives reader a deeper understanding of the idea being conveyed; creates an image in reader's mind
• simile definition

  • comparison of two things using the words 'like' or 'as'
• simile effect

  • creates vivid image in reader's mind of idea being conveyed
• onomatopoeia definition

  • a word/phrase that imitates the natural sound of things
• onomatopoeia effect

  • adds excitement, action & interest making the text more memorable and humorous
• parallelism definition

  • using components in a sentence that are either grammatically the same or have elements that sound/are constructed similarly
• parallelism effect

  • creates a rhythm; emphasises idea conveyed
• personification definition

  • giving an inanimate object human characteristics
• personification effect

  • gives deeper meaning to the idea; reader can empathise with the given idea/object
• repetition definition

  • repeating of words/phrases
• repetition effect

  • adds emphasis to the idea
• rhetorical question

  • a question asked which doesn't need an answer
• rhetorical question effect

  • used for persuasion; reader gives deeper thought to idea
• enjambment definition

  • when the sentence continues onto the next line
• enjambment effect

  • increases pace and gives a sense of urgency/flow
• hypophora definition

  • when a question is asked but immediately answered by author/speaker
• hypophora effect

  • creates conversational tone; introduces new topics/ideas