AP English Rhetorical Devices 2

another metaphor in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject with which it is to be compared

(the orders came directly from the White House. -the President gives the orders, not the White House-)

Not answered by the writer, because its answer is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no; used for emphasis

(for if we lose the ability to perceive our faults, what is the good of living on?)

Finishing a sentence with a different grammatical sentence from that with which it began

(And then the deep rumble from the explosion began to shake the very bones of--no one had ever felt anything like that.)

Stopping abruptly and leaving a statement unfinished.

(I've got to make the team or I'll--)

Mentioning a balancing or opposing fact to prevent the argument from being one-sided or unqualified

(This car is extremely sturdy and reliable. It's low maintenance; things never go wrong with it. Of course, if you abuse it, it will break.)

single word of short phrase, usually interrupting normal syntax, used to lend emphasis to the words immediately proximate to the expletive (emphasize the words on each side of a pause or interruption in order to maintain continuity of the thought)

(By the lake was not, in fact, drained before April.)

The use of words whose pronunciation imitates the sound of the word described

(Buzz, slam, pow, screech, bam)

Emphasizes an idea by expressing it in a string of generally synonymous phrases or statements.

(We succeeded, we were victorious, we accomplished the feat!)

Repeats the last word of one phrase, clause, or sentence at or very near the beginning of the next

(In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.)

Interrupts the discussion or discourse and addresses directly a person or personified thing, either present or absent

(O books who alone are liberal and free, who give to all who ask of you and enfranchise, all who serve you faithfully!)

Compares 2 things, which are alike in several places, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one

a noun or noun substitute placed next to (in apposition to) another noun to be described or defined by the appositive. The appositive can be placed before or after the noun.

(Henry Jameson, the boss oft he operation, always wore a red baseball cap.)

A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

(All humans are mortal. I am human. Therefore, I am mortal.)

and informally-stated syllogism which omits either one of the premises or the conclusion. The omitted part must be clearly understood by the reader. The usual form of this logical shorthand omits the major premise.

(He is an American citizen, so he is entitled to due process)

Deliberately exaggerates conditions for emphasis or effect.

(There are 1000 reasons why more research is needed on solar energy)

Several parts of a sentence or several sentences are expresses similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences are equal in importance.

(He liked to eat watermelon and to avoid grapefruit.)