Rhetorical Devices & Terms By: Melanie Flores

Per: 2

Epigraph A brief quotation which appears at

the beginning of a literary work. Serves the purpose of being the

theme, summary, or introduction of the literary work.

It can be used in the form of quotations, proverbs, lyrics, lines or verses, parts of a conversation etc. It can also be used to set the mood of the readers in the very beginning for the text they are about to read.

Examples: “To Kill a Mockingbird”Lawyers, I suppose, were children once. - Charles Lamb “The Color Purple”Show me how to do like you.Show me how to do it.- Stevie Wonder “The Fault in Our Stars”As the tide washed in, the Dutch Tulip Man faced the ocean: Conjoiner rejoinder poisoner concealer revelator. Look at it, rising up and rising down, taking everything with it." "What's that?" I asked."Water," the Dutchman said. "Well, and time." - Peter Van Houten, An Imperial Affliction

EuphemismExamples: You are becoming a little thin on

top. (bald) I’m going to have to let you go.

(fired) A used car being called “certified

pre-owned.”

Refers to polite, indirect expressions which replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something unpleasant.

Depends on social context of speakers and writers in places where they feel the need to replace some words which may be embarrassing for a particular audience or situation.

It starts an argument with a reference to something general and from it draws a conclusion about something more specific. Examples:

• All human societies are doomed to deteriorate over time. America is a human society. America is doomed to deteriorate over time.

• Laughter is a meretricious act. All meretricious acts are melancholic in nature. Laughter is melancholic in nature.

Syllogism

ActivityYou Have 3 sec to answer each!

1._____ serves the purpose of being the theme, summary, or introduction of the literary work.

2. All books from the store are new,

These books are from the store,

Therefore, these books are new. What is this an example of?

3. _____ starts an argument with a reference to something general and from it draws a conclusion about something more specific.

4. You aren’t poor, you are economically disadvantaged. What is this an example of?

Answers!1. Epigraph2. Syllogism3. Syllogism4. Euphemism

Sources "Epigraph - Examples and Definition of Epigraph." Literary Devices.

N.p., 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://literarydevices.net/epigraph/>.

"Euphemism - Examples and Definition of Euphemism." Literary Devices. N.p., 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://literarydevices.net/euphemism/>.

"Syllogism - Examples and Definition of Syllogism." Literary Devices. N.p., 22 July 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://literarydevices.net/syllogism/>.