Rhetorical devices

In a nutshell

A rhetorical device is a language technique used to persuade and convince. These devices are used to alter the reader's perception and make them more susceptible to new ideas and mentalities. As such, rhetorical devices are an effective tool to get what you want. In this summary, you will learn about the different forms of rhetorical devices and how you can use them in your writing.

Persuasive language

There are multiple reasons persuasive language is used. It is an excellent tool for marketing and branding as it convinces the consumer to buy a product or become open to new ways of thinking. You may have come across the use of persuasive language in the work of politicians or public figures with a plan to push. In these circumstances, they use language to affect those around them.

Rhetorical devices

Here are some examples of rhetorical devices and how they can be used:

Device	Purpose	Example
Emotive Language	Using emotive language means selecting words that will evoke an emotional reaction in the reader. These emotions can vary from joy to pathos and leave the reader or listener persuaded to share the author's or speaker's viewpoints.	“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”- Martin Luther King Jr., 1963
Imperative language	Commands and demands are expressed in an imperative language. An action verb is required when using such language.	"Help lost animals today - it's a must."
Hyperbole	When someone uses hyperbole, they do so to emphasise a point; they don't mean it literally. Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration to emphasise a point.	"Lenny had grown tired of waiting. "Where is Dad? He's been working forever, the Ice Age ended faster than this," he exclaimed."
Rhetorical questions	A rhetorical question is used to make the reader stop and think about a topic but isn't meant to be answered as the answer should be obvious. When used effectively, they can persuade the reader into following a certain point of view.	“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?" The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
Flattery	Flattery is giving excessive or insincere praise for one's own benefit. It helps get the reader on the writer's side	"I have worked with people from your company before, but I have to say, you are a step above the rest."
Personal pronouns	Addressing the audience directly can change the attitude of the reader or listener. When pronouns such as "you", "your", "yours", "we" and "ours" are used, it makes the consumer feel personally invested.	"I have delivered this speech to many others, but I am most interested in discussing this opportunity with you."
Rule of three	Anything written in a set of three is easier to digest and remember as it is the smallest pattern the human brain can remember. As such, threes are satisfying and easy to memorise so are appealing to the reader.	"When elected as prime minister, I will make it my mission to deliver on the biggest hardships we face as a society: building wealth, supporting our healthcare, and housing the homeless."
Anecdote	An anecdote is a short and amusing story that is told with the purpose of adding to another point and making an idea more convincing. They also birth familiarity between you and the audience.	“'I'll tell you a family secret,' she whispered enthusiastically. 'It’s about the butler’s nose. Do you want to hear about the butler’s nose?... Well, he wasn’t always a butler; he used to be the silver polisher for some people in New York that had a silver service for two hundred people. He had to polish it from morning till night, until finally it began to affect his nose --' 'Things went from bad to worse,' suggested Miss Baker. 'Yes. Things went from bad to worse until finally he had to give up his position.'” The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Facts and statistics	Using strong pieces of evidence in your writing can make your work more effective and convincing. People are more likely to trust an argument that is supported by information and figures.	"The answer is really quite simple; 70% of young people do not agree with the government's choice."
Sonic devices	Sonic devices such as alliteration (repetition of an initial sound) and onomatopoeia (a word that imitates the real-life sound) are used to amplify, accentuate or enhance the meaning of a speech.	"While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping." The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe
Humour	When humour is used, it enhances audience connection and identification, so the speaker is more likely to be accepted. A humorous response can also deflate opposing viewpoints and make them appear silly.	"On the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much — the wheel, New York, wars and so on — whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man — for precisely the same reasons." The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Meiosis	Meiosis is a technique that intentionally dismisses an opposing idea to enhance your own point of view.	"Of course, you could suggest that we use a wired connection for this device. However, that completely negates how temperamental and ineffective those wires are. Instead, using my wireless adapter saves time and is also more reliable."