Rhetorical Devices
1. Simile 明喻
A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as
Eg. How like the winter hath my absence been.
So are you to my thoughts as food to life. (Shakespeare)
2. Metaphor 暗喻
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison Eg. The world is a stage.
3. Personification 拟人
A figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstractions are endowed with human qualities or are represented as possessing human form Eg. Hunger sat shivering on the road.
4. Antithesis 对照，对立，对比
A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure
Eg. That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind. （Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 Moon Landing Speech）
5. Pun 双关
A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words
Eg. Being in politics is just like playing golf: you are trapped in one bad lie after another. (lie:①a deliberate untruth ②the position in which something rests)
6. Ridicule 奚落
Words intended to evoke contemptuous laughter at or feelings toward a person or thing Eg. Sure my worthy opponent claims that we should lower tuition, but that is just laughable.
7. Irony 反语, 讽刺
The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning
Eg. It must be delightful to find oneself in a foreign country without a penny in one's pocket.
8. Sarcasm 讥讽
A combine of irony and ridicule, using witty language to convey insults or scorn Eg. It is possible for your mind to be so open that your brain falls out.
9. Hyperbole 夸张
A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect Eg. This book weighs a ton
10. Euphemism 委婉
The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
Eg. sleep with — have sexual intercourse with; departed — dead;
relieve oneself — urinate
11. Epigram警句, 隽语, 讽刺短诗
A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement
Or: A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation Eg. "I am not young enough to know everything." (Oscar Wilde)
12. Allusion 隐喻, 典故
A figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication
Eg. A son of the morning is a traveler; an allusion to the practice in the Middle East to rise before dawn so one wouldn't have to travel in the heat of day.
13. Litotes 间接肯定
A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite
Eg. This is no small problem. (Instead of “this is a big problem”)
14. Oxymoron 矛盾形容法，逆喻
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined Eg. A mournful optimist
15. Paradox似非而是的隽语
A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true Eg. "I know that I know nothing."
(Knowing "know nothing" is knowing something, thus cannot be "know nothing". This logic is self-contradictory, but one can know that they know nothing.) 16. Transferred epithet 移就
A figure of speech in which the adjective or adverb is transferred from the noun it logically belongs with, to another one which fits it grammatically but not logically Eg. A sleepless night (night cannot be sleepless; people can)
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17. Metonymy转喻
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase (usually an attribute or feature) is substituted for another with which it is closely associated Eg. They counted heads. (heads stands for people) the White House for the US president
18. Synecdoche提喻
A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword)
19. Climax层进法
A figure of speech in which words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance. It is sometimes used with anadiplosis, which uses the repetition of a word or phrase in successive clauses.
Eg. There are three things that will endure: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
20. Anticlimax突降法
An abrupt declension (either deliberate or unintended) on the part of a speaker or writer from the dignity of idea which he appeared to be aiming at Eg. Die and endow a college or a cat.
21. Alliteration头韵
The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables
Eg. Around the rock the ragged rascal ran.
22. Syllepsis一语双叙法, 兼用法, 轭语法
A construction in which a word governs two or more other words but agrees in number, gender, or case with only one, or has a different meaning when applied to each of the words
Eg. He lost his coat and his temper.
23. Zeugma轭式修饰法(一形容词或动词勉强修饰或支配两个名词)
A construction in which one word or phrase is understood to be related to two or more other words or phrases, while being grammatically consistent with only one of them Eg. To wage war and peace (war can be waged, but peace cannot)
24. Anadiplosis联珠法, 顶真法
Rhetori-
cal repetition at the beginning of a phrase of the word or words with which the previous phrase ended
Eg. He is a man of loyalty. Loyalty always firm.
4
25. Apostrophe呼语
The direct address of an absent or imaginary person or of a personified abstraction, especially as a digression in the course of a speech or composition
Eg. "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
26. Consonance辅音韵
The repetition of consonants or of a consonant pattern, especially at the ends of words Eg. blank and think strong and string 27. Onomatopoeia拟声
The formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated Eg. hiss, buzz, bang …
28. Zoosemy 拟物法
A metaphor for the way names of animals are used to denote and characterise human qualities and traits of the character Eg. A lucky dog you are!
Cow (a fat, or disagreeable woman) Pig (an ugly, dirty or gluttonous person)
29. Palindrome 回文
A word, phrase, verse, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward Eg. A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!
30. Synesthesia 通感
The description of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another Eg. Now is the Winter of our discontent.
31. Antonomasia 换称
the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class Eg. Solomon for a wise ruler Also : the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name Eg. the Bard for Shakespeare
32. Rhetorical question (不必回答，只为加强语气及效果的) 反问
A question to which no answer is expected, often used for rhetorical effect Eg. Who knows? If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
Rhetorical Devices
1. Simile 明喻
A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as
Eg. How like the winter hath my absence been.
So are you to my thoughts as food to life. (Shakespeare)
2. Metaphor 暗喻
A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison Eg. The world is a stage.
3. Personification 拟人
A figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstractions are endowed with human qualities or are represented as possessing human form Eg. Hunger sat shivering on the road.
4. Antithesis 对照，对立，对比
A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure
Eg. That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind. （Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 Moon Landing Speech）
5. Pun 双关
A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words
Eg. Being in politics is just like playing golf: you are trapped in one bad lie after another. (lie:①a deliberate untruth ②the position in which something rests)
6. Ridicule 奚落
Words intended to evoke contemptuous laughter at or feelings toward a person or thing Eg. Sure my worthy opponent claims that we should lower tuition, but that is just laughable.
7. Irony 反语, 讽刺
The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning
Eg. It must be delightful to find oneself in a foreign country without a penny in one's pocket.
8. Sarcasm 讥讽
A combine of irony and ridicule, using witty language to convey insults or scorn Eg. It is possible for your mind to be so open that your brain falls out.
9. Hyperbole 夸张
A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect Eg. This book weighs a ton
10. Euphemism 委婉
The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
Eg. sleep with — have sexual intercourse with; departed — dead;
relieve oneself — urinate
11. Epigram警句, 隽语, 讽刺短诗
A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement
Or: A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation Eg. "I am not young enough to know everything." (Oscar Wilde)
12. Allusion 隐喻, 典故
A figure of speech that makes a reference to, or representation of, a place, event, literary work, myth, or work of art, either directly or by implication
Eg. A son of the morning is a traveler; an allusion to the practice in the Middle East to rise before dawn so one wouldn't have to travel in the heat of day.
13. Litotes 间接肯定
A figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite
Eg. This is no small problem. (Instead of “this is a big problem”)
14. Oxymoron 矛盾形容法，逆喻
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined Eg. A mournful optimist
15. Paradox似非而是的隽语
A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true Eg. "I know that I know nothing."
(Knowing "know nothing" is knowing something, thus cannot be "know nothing". This logic is self-contradictory, but one can know that they know nothing.) 16. Transferred epithet 移就
A figure of speech in which the adjective or adverb is transferred from the noun it logically belongs with, to another one which fits it grammatically but not logically Eg. A sleepless night (night cannot be sleepless; people can)
3
17. Metonymy转喻
A figure of speech in which one word or phrase (usually an attribute or feature) is substituted for another with which it is closely associated Eg. They counted heads. (heads stands for people) the White House for the US president
18. Synecdoche提喻
A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword)
19. Climax层进法
A figure of speech in which words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance. It is sometimes used with anadiplosis, which uses the repetition of a word or phrase in successive clauses.
Eg. There are three things that will endure: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
20. Anticlimax突降法
An abrupt declension (either deliberate or unintended) on the part of a speaker or writer from the dignity of idea which he appeared to be aiming at Eg. Die and endow a college or a cat.
21. Alliteration头韵
The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables
Eg. Around the rock the ragged rascal ran.
22. Syllepsis一语双叙法, 兼用法, 轭语法
A construction in which a word governs two or more other words but agrees in number, gender, or case with only one, or has a different meaning when applied to each of the words
Eg. He lost his coat and his temper.
23. Zeugma轭式修饰法(一形容词或动词勉强修饰或支配两个名词)
A construction in which one word or phrase is understood to be related to two or more other words or phrases, while being grammatically consistent with only one of them Eg. To wage war and peace (war can be waged, but peace cannot)
24. Anadiplosis联珠法, 顶真法
Rhetori-
cal repetition at the beginning of a phrase of the word or words with which the previous phrase ended
Eg. He is a man of loyalty. Loyalty always firm.
4
25. Apostrophe呼语
The direct address of an absent or imaginary person or of a personified abstraction, especially as a digression in the course of a speech or composition
Eg. "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
26. Consonance辅音韵
The repetition of consonants or of a consonant pattern, especially at the ends of words Eg. blank and think strong and string 27. Onomatopoeia拟声
The formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated Eg. hiss, buzz, bang …
28. Zoosemy 拟物法
A metaphor for the way names of animals are used to denote and characterise human qualities and traits of the character Eg. A lucky dog you are!
Cow (a fat, or disagreeable woman) Pig (an ugly, dirty or gluttonous person)
29. Palindrome 回文
A word, phrase, verse, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward Eg. A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!
30. Synesthesia 通感
The description of one kind of sense impression by using words that normally describe another Eg. Now is the Winter of our discontent.
31. Antonomasia 换称
the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class Eg. Solomon for a wise ruler Also : the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name Eg. the Bard for Shakespeare
32. Rhetorical question (不必回答，只为加强语气及效果的) 反问
A question to which no answer is expected, often used for rhetorical effect Eg. Who knows? If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?