Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Anaphora repeats words at the start of successive clauses: “Every child deserves a school; every child deserves a meal; every child deserves a chance.” A tricolon groups ideas in threes for rhythm.
Rhetorical questions invite agreement. Irony says the opposite of what is meant, often to criticise. Understatement deliberately downplays something serious: “We've had a bit of wind” after a hurricane.
When you analyse rhetoric, explain how the device affects the audience: does it build urgency, create unity, provoke anger or make them laugh?
Worked example
Identify the device: “We will rebuild. We will heal. We will stand together.”
- Each sentence begins with the same words.
- Repetition at the start of clauses is anaphora.
Answer:anaphora
Key words
- rhetoric
- language used to persuade
- anaphora
- repetition at the start of clauses
- understatement
- presenting something as less than it is
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.9-10.5a