In skilled persuasion, devices work together. Antony combines direct address (“Friends, Romans, countrymen”), repetition, rhetorical questions and evidence to move a hostile crowd.
Anaphora and tricolon create rhythm and unity; irony undermines opponents without open attack; direct address builds a relationship with the audience.
In analysis, avoid “feature spotting”: listing devices without explaining them. Instead, show how the devices build on each other to achieve the speaker's purpose at each stage of the text.
Worked example
Why is listing devices without explanation weak analysis?
- Naming a device shows recognition only.
- Analysis must explain effect and purpose.
Answer:Because it does not explain how the devices persuade the audience.
Key words
- feature spotting
- naming devices without analysing them
- purpose
- what the speaker wants to achieve
- cumulative effect
- the combined impact of devices
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: RI.11-12.6