Rhetoric is defined as the following:
- the art of science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
- the study of the effective use of language.
- the ability to use language effectively.
- the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
- the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
- (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
Linguistic devices that are key to rhetoric are commonly known as figures of speech and include:
- Antithesis – an opposing or complementary idea that acts as a counterbalance/argument for the main point, serving to stress the importance of your argument.
- Repetition – It was recently (and famously, or rather infamously) used by Tony Blair in his “Education, Education, Education” speech in 1996. It’s also a major component in Shakespeare’s writing – this is mainly in order to reiterate the point so that everyone would understand.
- Onomatopoeia – the sound of the word suggests its meaning. E.g. Bang, Crash, Boing, Whoosh, etc.
- Metaphor – a thing is spoken of as being that which it only resembles.
- Syllogism – a logical argument in three parts – two premises and a conclusion which follows necessarily from them. Otherwise known as the ‘rule of three’.
- Irony – deliberate use of words to mean the opposite of their literal meaning.
- Allegory – a symbolic narrative. Also known as fable or parable and often contain a moral.
- Anaphora – Repetition of a word at the beginning of consecutive sentences. This is done to draw attention to the main idea e.g ‘I have a dream’ Martin Luther King Jnr.
- Hyperbole – obvious and intentional exaggeration. An extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity”.