As with all fields of serious and complicated human endeavor (that can be considered variously as an art, a science, a profession, or a hobby), there is a technical vocabulary associated with writing. Rhetoric is the name for the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion, and though a writer doesn’t need to know the specific labels for certain writing techniques in order to use them effectively, it is sometimes helpful to have a handy taxonomy for the ways in which words and ideas are arranged. This can help to discuss and isolate ideas that might otherwise become abstract and confusing. As with the word rhetoric itself, many of these rhetorical devices come from Greek.
wild and woolly, threatening throngs
Syntactical inconsistency or incoherence within a sentence especially : a shift in an unfinished sentence from one syntactic construction to another
you really should have—well, what do you expect?
Repetition of a prominent and usually the last word in one phrase or clause at the beginning of the next
rely on his honor—honor such as his?
A literary technique that involves interruption of the chronological sequence of events by interjection of events or scenes of earlier occurrence : flashback
Repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground
The repetition of a word within a phrase or sentence in which the second occurrence utilizes a different and sometimes contrary meaning from the first
we must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separatelyThe usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings
this giant of 3 feet 4 inches
The use of a proper name to designate a member of a class (such as a Solomon for a wise ruler) OR the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name (such as the Bard for Shakespeare)
The raising of an issue by claiming not to mention itwe won't discuss his past crimesAn expression of real or pretended doubt or uncertainty especially for rhetorical effect
to be, or not to be: that is the questionHarshness in the sound of words or phrases An inverted relationship between the syntactic elements of parallel phrases
working hard, or hardly working?A disjunctive conclusion inferred from a single premise
gravitation may act without contact; therefore, either some force may act without contact or gravitation is not a force
The substitution of a disagreeable, offensive, or disparaging expression for an agreeable or inoffensive one
greasy spoon is a dysphemism for the word diner
Repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
of the people, by the people, for the people
Emphatic repetition [this definition is taken from the 1934 edition of Webster's Unabridged dictionary]
An interchange of two elements in a phrase or sentence from a more logical to a less logical relationship
you are lost to joy for joy is lost to youA transposition or inversion of idiomatic word order
judge me by my size, do you?Extravagant exaggeration
mile-high ice-cream cones
The putting or answering of an objection or argument against the speaker's contention [this definition is taken from the 1934 edition of Webster's Unabridged dictionary]
Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrarynot a bad singer
The presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect : UNDERSTATEMENT
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (Metaphor vs. Simile)
drowning in money
A figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated
crown as used in lands belonging to the crownThe naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it A combination of contradictory or incongruous words
cruel kindnessThe use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense : REDUNDANCY
I saw it with my own eyesA figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by "like" or "as"
cheeks like roses
The use of a word in the same grammatical relation to two adjacent words in the context with one literal and the other metaphorical in sense
she blew my nose and then she blew my mind
A figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole (such as fifty sail for fifty ships), the whole for a part (such as society for high society), the species for the genus (such as cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (such as a creature for a man), or the name of the material for the thing made (such as boards for stage)
The use of a word to modify or govern two or more words usually in such a manner that it applies to each in a different sense or makes sense with only one
