Rhetorical devices

Question 1

Anecdote

Answer 1

A personal story from the author

Allows them to be more relatable and us to empathise with them by showing how an issue effects human lives,

Question 2

Imperative voice or mood

Answer 2

We must act now

Conveys a tone of authority

AKA Modality (certainty of language)

Question 3

Listing / tricolon (if three) / cumulation (if leading up to something)

Answer 3

Listing multiple things suggesting an overwhelming effect.

Question 4

Apophasis

Answer 4

Raising an

Question 5

Quotation

Answer 5

Add authority to what is said, or discredit it.

E.g. quotations around someone is not saying to distance themselves from it, introducing a controversial viewpoint while not being with it.

Question 6

Expert evidence / stats

Answer 6

The suicide rate has gone up by 24%

Conveys knowledgability, credibility and engages the reader’s trust

Question 7

Rhetorical quesiton

Answer 7

Doesn’t elicit and answer, but encourages you to think

The answer is self-evident, forces the reader to examine their conscience or feel guilty.