Analyzing Texts
using
Rhetorical and Literary Devices
The difference between a RHETORICAL Device and a LITERARY Device
*A literary device is where an author conveys more than just what their words mean to advance the story. They might use alliteration for emphasis, link the character to mythological or historical figures, or hint at events to come later in the story.
*Rhetorical devices are about usually more about persuasion. They present a topic in such a way as to influence you towards a certain perspective. Do you want yummy pepperoni or icky anchovies with your pizza?
*There are MANY devices that can be used as either literary or rhetorical devices. Alliteration, for example, can show an important characteristic possessed by a character by giving them a memorable name, or make a slogan or jingle more memorable in order to persuade someone about something. Tone can also be used to convey meaning when one is creating an argument, but it can also be used to convey meaning in prose or poetry.
*Rhetorical devices are about usually more about persuasion. They present a topic in such a way as to influence you towards a certain perspective. Do you want yummy pepperoni or icky anchovies with your pizza?
*There are MANY devices that can be used as either literary or rhetorical devices. Alliteration, for example, can show an important characteristic possessed by a character by giving them a memorable name, or make a slogan or jingle more memorable in order to persuade someone about something. Tone can also be used to convey meaning when one is creating an argument, but it can also be used to convey meaning in prose or poetry.
The Importance of DICTION
Diction refers to an author's choice of words. When describing the events of his/her story, an author never has just one word at his/her disposal.
Rather, he/she must choose from many words that have similar denotative meanings (the definition you would find in a dictionary), but different connotative meanings (the associations, positive or negative with a given word - the suggested meaning). Diction guides the meaning an author wants the reader to take away from the text. When interpreting diction, some questions you should ask yourself are: Why did the author choose that word over that word? How does the author’s word choice affect my understanding? What was the author’s motive in choosing this specific word or phrase?
For example, imagine that a child in a story comes home from school and tells his parents about his day.
Here are four separate ways he could describe his behavior at recess. Notice how selecting one italicized word over another, shifting the diction, totally changes the meaning of the sentence:
Diction refers to an author's choice of words. When describing the events of his/her story, an author never has just one word at his/her disposal.
Rather, he/she must choose from many words that have similar denotative meanings (the definition you would find in a dictionary), but different connotative meanings (the associations, positive or negative with a given word - the suggested meaning). Diction guides the meaning an author wants the reader to take away from the text. When interpreting diction, some questions you should ask yourself are: Why did the author choose that word over that word? How does the author’s word choice affect my understanding? What was the author’s motive in choosing this specific word or phrase?
For example, imagine that a child in a story comes home from school and tells his parents about his day.
Here are four separate ways he could describe his behavior at recess. Notice how selecting one italicized word over another, shifting the diction, totally changes the meaning of the sentence:
- 'Tommy made fun of me, so I nicked his eye with a stick.'
- 'Tommy made fun of me, so I poked his eye with a stick.'
- 'Tommy made fun of me, so I stabbed his eye with a stick.'
- 'Tommy made fun of me, so I gouged his eye with a stick.'
DICTION
IMAGERY DETAILS SYNTAX LANGUAGE |
= TONE |
Aristotelian Appeals: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos
Whenever you read an argument you must ask yourself, “Is this persuasive? If so, why? And to whom?” There are many ways to appeal to an audience.
Among them are appealing to logos, ethos, and pathos. These appeals are identifiable in almost all arguments.
Whenever you read an argument you must ask yourself, “Is this persuasive? If so, why? And to whom?” There are many ways to appeal to an audience.
Among them are appealing to logos, ethos, and pathos. These appeals are identifiable in almost all arguments.