Rhetorical Devices

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Antithesis

Back 1

Establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure.

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Asyndeton

Back 2

Consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.

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Epistrophe

Back 3

Forms the counterpart to anaphora, because the repetition of the same word or words comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

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Exemplum

Back 4

Citing an example; using an illustrative story, either true or fictitious.

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Metabasis

Back 5

Consists of a brief statement of what has been said and what will follow.

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Metonymy

Back 6

Another form of metaphor, very similar to synecdoche, in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with the subject with which it is to be compared.

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Polysyndeton

Back 7

The use of a conjunction between each word, phrase, or clause, and is thus structurally the opposite of asyndeton.

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Enthymeme

Back 8

An informally-stated syllogism which omits either one of the premises or the conclusion.

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Parallelism

Back 9

Recurrent syntactical similarity.

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Antiphrasis

Back 10

One word irony, established by context.

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Assonance

Back 11

Similar vowel sounds repeated in successive or proximate words containing different consonants.

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Epithet

Back 12

An adjective or adjective phrase appropriately qualifying a subject (noun) by naming a key or important characteristic of the subject.

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Metanoia

Back 13

Qualifies a statement by recalling it (or part of it) and expressing it in a better, milder, or stronger way.

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Anaphora

Back 14

Repetition of the same word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences, commonly in conjunction with climax and with parallelism.

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Amplification

Back 15

Involves repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over.

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Hyperbole

Back 16

Counterpart of understatement, deliberately exaggerates conditions for emphasis or effect.

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Alliteration

Back 17

The recurrence of initial consonant sounds.

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Allusion

Back 18

A short, informal reference to a famous person or event.

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Aposiopesis

Back 19

Stopping abruptly and leaving a statement unfinished.

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Hypophora

Back 20

Consists of raising one or more questions and then proceeding to answer them, usually at some length.