Review of Rhetorical Devices

Repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of words (example: Harry Houdini had harrowing habits.)

• alliteration

• anaphora

• simile

• allusion

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence, lines, or clauses (example: Silence, she said. Silence, she repeated. Silence! Finally yelled.)

• metaphor

• anaphora

• imagery

• antithesis

Repetition of sentence structure (example: In the dark, in the night, in the silence, the thief stole...)

• simile

• allusion

• parallelism

• alliteration

A type of parallelism that uses two opposite ideas to create contrast (example: "To err is human; to forgive divine." - Alexander Pope)

• aphorism

• analogy

• antithesis

• anaphora

A direct comparison of two different things without using the words "like" or "as" (example: Laughter is the music of the soul.)

• allusion

• imagery

• simile

• metaphor

A comparison of two different things that uses the word "like" or "as" in the statement (example: He looks like a fish out of water.)

• simile

• metaphor

• allusion

• alliteration

A comparison of two different things that explains one idea through its similarities to something more familiar (example: That movie gave me a roller coaster ride of emotions.)

• simile

• rhetorical question

• allusion

• analogy

Vivid, descriptive language that appeals to the five senses (example: The autumn leaves are a blanket on the ground.)

• alliteration

• imagery

• hyperbole

• allusion

An over-exaggeration used for emphasis or effect (example: There is enough food in this fridge to feed an army!)

• imagery

• allusion

• hyperbole

• anaphora

A short statement that reveals a general truth or opinion, often trying to give "advice" (example: "All for one and one for all." or "He who hesitates is lost.")

• aphorism

• allusion

• parallel structure

• simile