Rhetorical Rhetorical Devices/Smiley Devices/Smiley

Face TricksFace TricksTricks of the writing trade to Tricks of the writing trade to help you meet and exceed help you meet and exceed

writing expectations.writing expectations.

Ideas developed by Mary Ellen LedbetterIdeas developed by Mary Ellen LedbetterPowerpoint created by Gwen S. ThibadeauPowerpoint created by Gwen S. Thibadeau

Revised and Editted by T. BowmanRevised and Editted by T. Bowman

Why use Smiley Face Why use Smiley Face Tricks???Tricks???

These writing techniques These writing techniques are common tools that are common tools that

ALL authors use.ALL authors use.

They are proven to add They are proven to add personality, voice, style, personality, voice, style,

and reader interest.and reader interest.

Tricolon (Magic 3)Tricolon (Magic 3)

A technique using A technique using three words, three words, phrases, or phrases, or clauses written in clauses written in parallel form and parallel form and in succession.in succession.

Also referred to as Also referred to as Parallel Structure.Parallel Structure.

TricolonTricolon A Tricolon (sometimes called the 'Rule of

Threes') is really more of a general principle than a rhetorical technique, but it is very effective.

For some reason, the human brain seems to absorb and remember information more effectively when it is presented in threes.

There's a reason there were three Musketeers, why Goldilocks didn't meet four bears in the woods, why Charlie didn't employ only two Angels and why Curly, Larry & Mo didn't have 'and George' tagged on.

Tricolon--ExampleTricolon--Example

After school each day, I After school each day, I typically typically drive home drive home with my childrenwith my children, , complete complete homeworkhomework, , andand talk talk about the dayabout the day..

One Of President Obama's One Of President Obama's FavoritesFavorites

There are twenty two Tricolon examples used in his inauguration There are twenty two Tricolon examples used in his inauguration speech alone and fourteen in his speech in Prague (to take two speech alone and fourteen in his speech in Prague (to take two speeches at random)! Here are a few:speeches at random)! Here are a few:

““I stand here today I stand here today humbled by the task before ushumbled by the task before us, , grateful for the grateful for the trust you have bestowedtrust you have bestowed, , mindful of the sacrifices borne by our mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.ancestors.””

““Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."

““Few would have imagined that the Czech Republic would become Few would have imagined that the Czech Republic would become a free nation, a member of NATO, a leader of a united Europe.a free nation, a member of NATO, a leader of a united Europe.””

““Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must Rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean somethingmean something””

Tricolon – ExampleTricolon – Example

Before: We watched the confetti.Before: We watched the confetti.After: “We watched the confetti After: “We watched the confetti fall fall

from the skyfrom the sky, , skip across the skip across the ground in the breezeground in the breeze, and , and tumble tumble into the canalinto the canal.” .” (Green, The (Green, The Fault in Our Fault in Our Stars, Stars, 163)163)

Your Turn: We watched.Your Turn: We watched.

Hyphenated ModifierHyphenated Modifier

A compound A compound adjective or adjective or adverb created adverb created by hyphenating by hyphenating multiple words multiple words together that together that work as one work as one word.word.

HM--ExampleHM--Example

Some of her Some of her students sat in their students sat in their why-do-I-have-to-be-why-do-I-have-to-be-herehere postures while postures while

others exuded others exuded eagerness.eagerness.

Hyphenated ModifierHyphenated Modifier

Literary Example: “I slumped seated Literary Example: “I slumped seated against a wall, heaving watered-against a wall, heaving watered-down coughs.” (Green, down coughs.” (Green, The Fault in The Fault in Our Stars, Our Stars, 200)200)

Your turn: I slumped.Your turn: I slumped.

Imagery/Specific DetailsImagery/Specific Details

Also known as Also known as imagery, this imagery, this

technique technique appeals to the appeals to the

senses and senses and includes enough includes enough detail to allow detail to allow the reader to the reader to

identify with the identify with the description.description.

Imagery/SD--ExampleImagery/SD--Example

“The autumn leaves blew over the moonlit pavement in such a way as to make the girl who was moving there seem fixed to a sliding walk, letting the motion of the wind and the leaves carry her forward. [...] The trees overhead made a great sound of letting down their dry rain.” ― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Imagery/SD--ExampleImagery/SD--Example

“The greatest of funeral fires wound up to the clouds, it roared in front of the mound. Heads melted, wounds burst open, while blood gushed forth from the gashes in the bodies. […] Their mightiest men had departed.” (unknown, Beowulf)

Imagery/SD--ExampleImagery/SD--ExampleIt was about forty yards to the gallows. I watched the bare brown back of It was about forty yards to the gallows. I watched the bare brown back of

the prisoner marching in front of me. He walked clumsily with his bound arms, but the prisoner marching in front of me. He walked clumsily with his bound arms, but quite steadily, with that bobbing gait of the Indian who never straightens his quite steadily, with that bobbing gait of the Indian who never straightens his knees. At each step his muscles slid neatly into place, the lock of hair on his scalp knees. At each step his muscles slid neatly into place, the lock of hair on his scalp danced up and down, his feet printed themselves on the wet gravel. And once, in danced up and down, his feet printed themselves on the wet gravel. And once, in spite of the men who gripped him by each shoulder, he stepped slightly aside to spite of the men who gripped him by each shoulder, he stepped slightly aside to avoid a puddle on the path.avoid a puddle on the path.

It is curious, but till that moment I had never realized what it means to destroy a It is curious, but till that moment I had never realized what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide. This man was not dying, he was alive just as we were alive. All the organs full tide. This man was not dying, he was alive just as we were alive. All the organs of his body were working--bowels digesting food, skin renewing itself, nails of his body were working--bowels digesting food, skin renewing itself, nails growing, tissues forming--all toiling away in solemn foolery. His nails would still be growing, tissues forming--all toiling away in solemn foolery. His nails would still be growing when he stood on the drop, when he was falling through the air with a growing when he stood on the drop, when he was falling through the air with a tenth of a second to live. His eyes saw the yellow gravel and the gray walls, and tenth of a second to live. His eyes saw the yellow gravel and the gray walls, and his brain still remembered, foresaw, reasoned--reasoned even about puddles. He his brain still remembered, foresaw, reasoned--reasoned even about puddles. He and we were a party of men walking together, seeing, hearing, feeling, and we were a party of men walking together, seeing, hearing, feeling, understanding the same world; and in two minutes, with a sudden snap, one of us understanding the same world; and in two minutes, with a sudden snap, one of us would be gone--one mind less, one world less.would be gone--one mind less, one world less.

("A Hanging" by George Orwell)("A Hanging" by George Orwell)

Imagery/SD Imagery/SD

Your turn: Expand using Your turn: Expand using imagery/specific details for imagery/specific details for effect.effect.

-Write about a favorite holiday -Write about a favorite holiday memory.memory.

Repetition for EffectRepetition for Effect As a rhetorical As a rhetorical device, it could device, it could be a word, be a word, phrase, full phrase, full sentence, or a sentence, or a poetical line, poetical line, repeated to repeated to emphasize its emphasize its significance in significance in the entire text.the entire text.

Rep. for Effect: AnaphoraRep. for Effect: Anaphora

AnaphoraAnaphora: A rhetorical device that repeats the : A rhetorical device that repeats the same word or words at the beginning of two+ same word or words at the beginning of two+ successive phrases or clauses, often alongside successive phrases or clauses, often alongside PARALLELISM and using a TRICOLON.PARALLELISM and using a TRICOLON.

““For usFor us, they packed up their few worldly , they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life. of a new life. For usFor us, they toiled in sweatshops , they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth. whip and ploughed the hard earth. For usFor us, they , they fought and died, in places like Concord and fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe SahnGettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn”” – – (Barack (Barack Obama)Obama)

AnaphoraAnaphora

"But "But one hundred years laterone hundred years later, the Negro , the Negro still is not free. still is not free. One hundred years laterOne hundred years later, , the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. chains of discrimination. One hundred One hundred years lateryears later, the Negro lives on a lonely , the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. ocean of material prosperity. One One hundred years laterhundred years later, the Negro is still , the Negro is still languished in the corners of American languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his society and finds himself an exile in his own land" – own land" – (Martin Luther King, Jr.)(Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Rep. for Effect: Epiphora Rep. for Effect: Epiphora (also (also known as Epistrophe):known as Epistrophe):

Definition: A rhetorical device that repeats Definition: A rhetorical device that repeats the same word or phrase at the end of two+ the same word or phrase at the end of two+ successive phrases or clauses.successive phrases or clauses.

"A day may come when the courage of "A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and men fails, when we forsake our friends and break the bonds of fellowship, break the bonds of fellowship, but it is but it is not this daynot this day. An hour of wolves and . An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down, comes crashing down, but it is not this but it is not this dayday. This day we fight!" . This day we fight!" - - King Aragorn (from the movie King Aragorn (from the movie 'The Return of the King’)'The Return of the King’)

Rep. for Effect: Epiphora Rep. for Effect: Epiphora (also (also known as Epistrophe):known as Epistrophe):

"It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can. It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can. It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness:Yes, we can.”

(Barack Obama)

Epiphora--ExampleEpiphora--ExampleWhen all of my friends made fun When all of my friends made fun of me for falling down the stairs, of me for falling down the stairs, you didnyou didn’’tt. When everyone else . When everyone else had left me out of the game, had left me out of the game, you you didndidn’’tt. When the team made me . When the team made me sit on the bench, sit on the bench, you didnyou didn’’tt. . When all of the soldiers came When all of the soldiers came home from the war, home from the war, you didnyou didn’’tt. .

Rep. for EffectRep. for Effect

Your turn: Use anaphora & epiphora Your turn: Use anaphora & epiphora to add emphasis to your writing.to add emphasis to your writing.

Describe a someone who is a hero to Describe a someone who is a hero to you. you.

Figurative LanguageFigurative LanguageThis technique finds new and This technique finds new and

creative ways to describe people, creative ways to describe people, places, things, and ideas.places, things, and ideas.

Similes—metaphors—hyperbole—Similes—metaphors—hyperbole—personification, etc.personification, etc.

It incorporates fresh and creative It incorporates fresh and creative similes and metaphors, not clichés.similes and metaphors, not clichés.

FL- FL- ExampleExample

She graduated. It was not She graduated. It was not until then that she until then that she realized what freedom realized what freedom really was. Finally, she really was. Finally, she was soaring through the was soaring through the air, wings spread wide.air, wings spread wide.

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

“Night came walking through Egypt swishing her black dress.” ― Zora Neale Hurston, Moses, Man of the Mountain

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Your turn:-Write a sentence personifying one of the following:peacedeathmorning

Elaboration/Elaboration/Expanded MomentExpanded Moment

This technique This technique involves the writer involves the writer leaving the main leaving the main story line to go story line to go

into the into the charactercharacter’’s/reader’s/reader’s mind and explain s mind and explain

a related a related experience or idea.experience or idea.

Elaboration/EM ExampleElaboration/EM Example

After the car accident, I held my fatheAfter the car accident, I held my fatherr ’’s head cradled in my lap.  I talked to s head cradled in my lap.  I talked to him and tried to keep him conscious him and tried to keep him conscious for as long as possible.  I reminded for as long as possible.  I reminded him of the time we went fishing, and him of the time we went fishing, and as we tried to load the boat onto the as we tried to load the boat onto the trailer, he slipped and fell, scattering trailer, he slipped and fell, scattering fish all in the mud on the edge of the fish all in the mud on the edge of the lake.  I stood by the truck and laughed lake.  I stood by the truck and laughed as he struggled to stand up.  as he struggled to stand up.  Suddenly, I heard the police sirens, Suddenly, I heard the police sirens, and I told my father as he struggled to and I told my father as he struggled to keep his eyes open that help was keep his eyes open that help was almost here.  He died before the police almost here.  He died before the police arrived.arrived.

Elaboration/Expanded Elaboration/Expanded MomentMomentSpeakSpeak

Count to twenty. Now imagine walking into Starbucks. As you make your way up to the Count to twenty. Now imagine walking into Starbucks. As you make your way up to the counter, the delicate smell of brewing coffee arouses your senses. You politely ease counter, the delicate smell of brewing coffee arouses your senses. You politely ease your way through the herd of people gathered in front of the register and meet the your way through the herd of people gathered in front of the register and meet the eyes of the cashier. She acknowledges your presence with a slight nod as irritable eyes of the cashier. She acknowledges your presence with a slight nod as irritable grunts set in around you. You open your mouth to begin speaking, but nothing comes grunts set in around you. You open your mouth to begin speaking, but nothing comes out. Silence. You continue to stand there, lips spread wide. Embarrassment overtakes out. Silence. You continue to stand there, lips spread wide. Embarrassment overtakes you as the herd glares in your direction. The cashier remains motionless, unsure of how you as the herd glares in your direction. The cashier remains motionless, unsure of how to cope with the silence. As time stretches onwards, your cheeks burn with shame. The to cope with the silence. As time stretches onwards, your cheeks burn with shame. The herd begins to giggle uneasily, and some even go as far as to point. Twenty seconds herd begins to giggle uneasily, and some even go as far as to point. Twenty seconds pass before you are able to break the silence with a mumbled, "M-M-M-M-May I h-h-pass before you are able to break the silence with a mumbled, "M-M-M-M-May I h-h-have a g-g-grande l-l-l-latte?" With an awkward smile, the cashier reaches for your gift have a g-g-grande l-l-l-latte?" With an awkward smile, the cashier reaches for your gift card, and you retreat with your head tucked deep into your chest.card, and you retreat with your head tucked deep into your chest.

It was moments like these that made me truly ashamed of who I was. Ever since the It was moments like these that made me truly ashamed of who I was. Ever since the age of six, I have stuttered. And before I traveled to Munich this past summer, I wished age of six, I have stuttered. And before I traveled to Munich this past summer, I wished every morning that I would wake up without my stutter. I would often avoid answering every morning that I would wake up without my stutter. I would often avoid answering the phone, even conversing with my family, anything to abstain from speaking. I was the phone, even conversing with my family, anything to abstain from speaking. I was terrified of what other people would think of me when I stuttered, and so in an attempt terrified of what other people would think of me when I stuttered, and so in an attempt to escape humiliation, I would simply keep quiet. Yet, I could no longer live my life to escape humiliation, I would simply keep quiet. Yet, I could no longer live my life running from the opportunities I so fervently desired to experience. I craved to be running from the opportunities I so fervently desired to experience. I craved to be myself, to do the things that I wanted to do, regardless of my stutter. And so I myself, to do the things that I wanted to do, regardless of my stutter. And so I gathered the courage to spend three weeks alone in Germany.gathered the courage to spend three weeks alone in Germany.

Elaboration/Expanded Elaboration/Expanded MomentMoment

See also: Weisel, Night (pp. 57-58)

Your turn: Describe a time of deep Your turn: Describe a time of deep emotion in your life, whether it was a emotion in your life, whether it was a time of deep pain, deep regret, deep time of deep pain, deep regret, deep fear, deep joy, etc. Slow down and fear, deep joy, etc. Slow down and expand the moment for your reader.expand the moment for your reader.

Elaboration/Expanded Elaboration/Expanded MomentMoment

Exercise: Write a scene where you wake up in a dark house after hearing an odd sound. Expand the moment to build suspense.

HumorHumorWriters use Writers use humor for many humor for many reasons... not reasons... not only to create a only to create a connection with connection with the reader and the reader and cause him/her to cause him/her to laugh, but also to laugh, but also to lighten the mood lighten the mood in a tense or in a tense or serious situation.serious situation.

Humor—Example Humor—Example

Sitting at the funeral home Sitting at the funeral home waiting for the services to begin, waiting for the services to begin, the old man knew what he would the old man knew what he would miss most about his wife of sixty miss most about his wife of sixty years: her lying in bed waving years: her lying in bed waving the covers up and down, giggling the covers up and down, giggling as she vented her toot.as she vented her toot.

Humor—Example Humor—Example

"And you—yes, you, Justin—were the guilty party who, after I took off my shoes to enjoy the hot pavement in early spring, put a frog in them. Of course, I didn't look at the shoes when I put them back on; it was the squish that gave your prank away." (Liz)

HumorHumor

Exercise: Write a paragraph that places a character in an environment or situation you wouldn't expect him to be.  Example: A city boy in a ballet class or a pig in a chicken coop.  Exaggerate the circumstances to create humor.

Full Circle EndingFull Circle Ending Writers will Writers will often begin a often begin a piece of writing piece of writing with a key word with a key word or phrase, or phrase, develop the develop the piece, and will piece, and will bring the reader bring the reader back to the key back to the key word or phrase word or phrase at the ending.at the ending.

FCE--ExampleFCE--ExampleShe was fat and happy.  The day she She was fat and happy.  The day she gave birth to her first child was gave birth to her first child was amazing.  Everything was perfect.  amazing.  Everything was perfect.  The child had a beautiful head of hair, The child had a beautiful head of hair, all ten fingers and toes, and slept all ten fingers and toes, and slept rather than crying like most babies rather than crying like most babies do.  Now, as an old woman sitting in do.  Now, as an old woman sitting in her favorite chair visiting with three of her favorite chair visiting with three of her great grandchildren, again she her great grandchildren, again she was fat and happy.was fat and happy.

Full-Circle EndingFull-Circle Ending

Title: Seeing With the HeartTitle: Seeing With the HeartConcluding sentence: “You never Concluding sentence: “You never

realize how terrific a moment can be realize how terrific a moment can be until you see it with your heart.” until you see it with your heart.” (Meeker, (Meeker, Seeing with the HeartSeeing with the Heart))

Full-Circle EndingFull-Circle Ending

Introduction: “One of the cool things about being Mike Weir is that you get to do whatever you want on Mike Weir Day, which Utah governor Michael Leavitt declared on May 12, 2003.”

Conclusion: “Weir was happy with his game as he left Chicago, but he was happier to be heading home, where every day is Mike Weir Day.”(Sports Illustrated)

Full-Circle EndingFull-Circle Ending

Your turn:Your turn:

Revise a Quick Write in your working Revise a Quick Write in your working portfolio to include a full-circle ending.portfolio to include a full-circle ending.

Rhetorical QuestionRhetorical Question

Definition: A Definition: A rhetorical question rhetorical question is asked just for is asked just for effect or to lay effect or to lay emphasis on some emphasis on some point discussed point discussed when no real when no real answer is expectedanswer is expected

Rhetorical QuestionRhetorical Question

““What made you think of love and What made you think of love and tears and birth and death and pain?” tears and birth and death and pain?” (Stewart, (Stewart, Creation)Creation)

““Will no one tell me what she sings?” Will no one tell me what she sings?” (Wordsworth, (Wordsworth, The Solitary Reaper)The Solitary Reaper)

Practice Makes Perfect!!!Practice Makes Perfect!!! For the remainder of class For the remainder of class

ASSIGNMENT: A 300-400 word descriptive narrative essay about a time in your life when you made a choice that did not make you feel good. You may want/need to embellish (to improve by adding details; often fictitious details.) the story a bit. The idea is for you to tell a story that is both descriptive and entertaining. Use 5-7 Smiley Face Tricks in your essay. Have fun with this. Remember, the first step in writing an essay is to BRAINSTORM. Methods of brainstorming: stream of consciousness writing and list-making

AsyndetonAsyndeton

DefinitionDefinition: a stylistic device used to : a stylistic device used to intentionally omit conjunctions intentionally omit conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses.between words, phrases, or clauses.

““He was a bag of bones, a floppy He was a bag of bones, a floppy doll, a broken stick, a maniac.” doll, a broken stick, a maniac.” (Kerouac, (Kerouac, On the Road)On the Road)