Rhetorical Strategies
Rhetoric is a technique of using language effectively and persuasively in spoken or written form. It is an art of discourse, which studies and employs various methods to convince, influence or please an audience.
In rhetoric, a rhetorical device or rhetorical strategy is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading him or her towards considering a topic from a different perspective, using sentences designed to encourage or provoke a rational argument from an emotional display of a given perspective or action.
Through diction (author's word choice) and syntax (sentence structure) an author or speaker has available to him or her at any given time the most powerful tool available to mankind: language, the power of communication. There are HUNDREDS of rhetorical strategies--the tools of rhetoric--available to help a speaker to please, to influence, to convince.
Scroll over this word cloud to see just a few of the MANY strategies of rhetoric that are available to aspiring rhetoricians:
How many of those obscure strategy names were new to you? Want to learn more? Below are 3 of the biggest players in Rhetorical Strategies involving repetition!
ANAPHORA:
the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect
Consider the power of anaphora! What words/phrase/idea here was stressed? "We shall...we shall fight, we shall fight, we shall fight!!!" It doesn't matter where! Seas and oceans, beaches, streets...we shall fight!
the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect
Consider the power of anaphora! What words/phrase/idea here was stressed? "We shall...we shall fight, we shall fight, we shall fight!!!" It doesn't matter where! Seas and oceans, beaches, streets...we shall fight!
EPISTROPHE:
forms the counterpart to anaphora, because the repetition of the same word or words comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences
Now consider the effect of anaphora's counter--epistrophe! What is stressed/highlighted/amplified? (there is a strategy called amplification, by the way) "a child, a child, a child" CLEARLY the emphasis here is put on the thoughts, understandings and utterings of "a child" causing us to take pause and reflect on how we have grown and how we need to present ourselves as such. Thanks to epistrophe, there is a lot more going on in this little phrase than meets the eye.
forms the counterpart to anaphora, because the repetition of the same word or words comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences
Now consider the effect of anaphora's counter--epistrophe! What is stressed/highlighted/amplified? (there is a strategy called amplification, by the way) "a child, a child, a child" CLEARLY the emphasis here is put on the thoughts, understandings and utterings of "a child" causing us to take pause and reflect on how we have grown and how we need to present ourselves as such. Thanks to epistrophe, there is a lot more going on in this little phrase than meets the eye.
ANADIPLOSIS:
repetition of the last word or phrase of one line or clause to begin the next.
Now this one is a little more intricate but very effective! By placing the last word of a sentence or phrase in close proximity the the first word of a phrase or a sentence, the impact is exPLOsive (anadiPLOsis!) Read this one out loud and consider its effects: what is being highlighed/stressed/amplified? What is the effect on the reader? What are you left thinking, wondering, believing?
repetition of the last word or phrase of one line or clause to begin the next.
Now this one is a little more intricate but very effective! By placing the last word of a sentence or phrase in close proximity the the first word of a phrase or a sentence, the impact is exPLOsive (anadiPLOsis!) Read this one out loud and consider its effects: what is being highlighed/stressed/amplified? What is the effect on the reader? What are you left thinking, wondering, believing?
Want to learn more? For more strategies and more examples, click on each of the 3 strategy names above to be directed to the 3 biggest players in Rhetorical Strategy sites! Look for my 3 favorites (amplification, scesis onomaton and auxesis) and try to discern the subtle differences of each and, as always, consider the impact that each would have on audience!