Have you ever tried conversing with someone who has opposing views of something you earnestly believe in? Then, you will know how difficult persuasion is. Addressing a receptive audience requires using different rhetorical devices to bring them to your side.
Rhetorical Devices in English Writing
In persuasive writing, words used for getting audience’s reactions are rhetoric devices. “It’s raining cats and dogs” is a common example of a rhetoric device which means there’s a heavy downpour. Such a device is used to create an effect on the target readers. If you lack knowledge about rhetorical devices, professional help will do you good. MyAssignmentHelp.com is one such platform where you can request professional writing aid. Just connect with the MyAssignmentHelp team and request “I need help with my essay.” You will get the best writers for guidance.
Rhetorical Devices for Essay Writing
MyAssignmentHelp.com is always available for providing essay writing support. Still, you should know the uses of rhetorical devices to strengthen your writing quality. So, let’s discuss the three main pillars of rhetorical strategies.
- Logos:
Logos is using logic or reasoning power to prove a point of argument. The two types of rhetorical appeals used in logos are deductive and inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning starts with generalization before it is used for a specific purpose. On the other hand, inductive reasoning is prioritizing tasks or events that improve workers’ productivity and benefit in the long run.
- Ethos:
Ethos is used for convincing listeners of your opinion and appealing to their senses by demonstrating your credibility, good character, and reliability. It’s often a difficult feat to pull off, especially when there’s a little similarity between you and the readers. However, you can gain your audience’s trust with the following tactics:
- Accurately portray the opposing perspectives of the writer
- Organize a simple, easy-to-follow argument
- Refer to authoritative and credible third-party sources
- Use accurate data to indicate why you like the subject
- Come to a common ground by highlighting the shared values and ideas
- Check your argument and make it error-free.
- Pathos:
Pathos is the rhetorical device used to appeal readers through emotive language. Utilizing pathos in arguments is tricky as you need to present a real human element without sounding robotic in your writing approach. For instance, a story about a man sacrificing time and money to build a business from scratch will likely resonate with start-ups or new business owners. Also, while using pathos, stick to the main subject. Many writers use pathos to distract readers from the main point of arguments.
List of Oft-used Rhetorical Devices
- Anadiplosis: It comes from the Greek-origin word, which means “repetition.” The words at the end of a sentence are used at the beginning of the next sentence. Example: Pain leads to fear. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to suffering.
- Antimetable: These are similar to chiasmus, a clause or sentence that inverts the grammar structure of the previous one. Note: Repetition is a must in antimetabole. Example: Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
- Alliteration: It involves the repetition of the initial sound of a word and emphasizes a particular word or phrase to make it more appealing to the readers. Example: Talking to Raymond took considerable time today.
- Amplification: It builds on a word, phrase, or phrase to emphasize the sense of urgency and makes the reader conscious of the word and understand its significance in the text.
Example: They need a beautiful house in a beautiful area.
- Anacoluthon: It is about introducing a new idea suddenly in the text or sentence. Anacoluthon is also treated as the introduction to an idea that’s unrelated to the main primary idea.
Example: I shall have my revenge on you, that every living thing shall—I shall do so much that even I have no idea of yet.
- Antanagoge: This involves using positive and negative statements in one sentence to identify a problem and present a solution. Example: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
- Chiasmus: This rhetorical device is used for changing the order of words or phrases in a sentence to build a powerful emotion and propel readers to think emotionally about the statement.
Example: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
- Apophasis: This device is similar to irony and involves suggesting something while also denying the same. Typically, it is used for explaining a process and presenting it indirectly.
Example: I am not saying it’s your obligation, but you need to accompany your cousin to school tomorrow.
- Hypophora: This rhetorical device involves asking a question to the readers in a speech or essay and then immediately providing an answer. Hypophora is the most commonly used device in regular conversations where you can provide some context for the answer while emphasizing the key ideas.
Example: Why is it vital to prepare for exams early? First, it is essential because it saves you from unnecessary stress at the eleventh hour.
- Simile: It is one of the most commonly used rhetorical devices where you compare two subjects by placing them side by side in a sentence. Such devices are used for explaining the attributes of the subject to another popular one.
Example: Rose is always hungry, just like a lion.
Tips for Using Rhetorical Devices in Essays
To write a compelling persuasion using relevant rhetorical devices, keep in mind the following suggestions:
- Use general logic and syllogism
- Avoid using the “praise-and-blame rhetoric” strategy
- Write using an emotional appeal
- Carefully apply an ethical appeal and use relevant literary devices
- Write a solid introduction and conclusion to take your readers on a journey
- Organize your essay logically and strike a balance between different perspectives
Your knowledge of using rhetorical devices for persuasion will develop with practice. Therefore, practice writing using different techniques like ethos, pathos, logos, and literacy devices and develop the confidence to create impactful essays to persuade your readers of your beliefs.