2. Click on each rhetorical device for a tutorial. After you have
finished all of the tutorials, test your skills using the test link.
Alliteration
Parallelism
Analogy
Repetition
Antithesis
Hyperbole
Rhetorical
Questions
Metaphor
Simile
Practice Test
Credits
3. Alliteration
• Definition:
The repetition of
consonant sounds in
words that are close to
one another
Example from The Wizard of Oz
"Step forward, Tin Man. You dare to come to me for a
heart, do you? You clinking, clanking, clattering
collection of caliginous junk...And you, Scarecrow,
have the effrontery to ask for a brain! You billowing
bale of bovine fodder!"
4. Analogy
• Definition:
A kind of extended metaphor or
long simile in which an explicit
comparison is made between two
things for the purpose of furthering
a line of reasoning or drawing an
inference
Example from Man of the Year
“Remember this, ladies and gentlemen. It's an old phrase,
basically anonymous. Politicians are a lot like diapers: They
should be changed frequently and for the same reason. Keep
that in mind next time you vote. Good night.”
5. Antithesis
• Definition:
Figure of balance in which
two contrasting ideas are
intentionally juxtaposed,
usually through parallel
structure
Example from Neil Armstrong
"...although the surface appears to be...very,
very fine-grained as you get close to it. It's
almost like a powder...Okay, I'm going to
step off the LEM now. That's one small step
for [a] man; one giant leap for mankind."
Second example
6. Antithesis
• Definition:
Figure of balance in which
two contrasting ideas are
intentionally juxtaposed,
usually through parallel
structure
Example from John F. Kennedy
"We observe today not a victory of party but a
celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as
a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change."
7. Hyperbole
• Definition:
A figure of speech that
uses exaggeration to
express strong emotion or
create a comic effect
• Example from FDR’s First Inaugural Address
"So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only
thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Second example
8. Hyperbole
• Definition:
A figure of speech that
uses exaggeration to
express strong emotion or
create a comic effect
• Example from Ralph Nader’s 2000 NAACP Address
"The only place where democracy comes before work
is in the dictionary."
9. Metaphor
• Definition:
A figure of speech that makes
a comparison between two
seemingly unlike things
without using a connective
word such as like, as, than, or
resembles
• Example from Al Gore’s Oklahoma Bombing Memorial
Address
"At the dawn of spring last year, a single act of terror
brought forth the long, cold winter in our hearts. The
people of Oklahoma City are mourning still."
10. Parallelism
• Definition:
Used for balance, it is the
syntactical structure of a set of
words in successive phrases,
clauses, sentences; successive
words, phrases, clauses with the
same or very similar grammatical
structure
• Example from Jesse Jackson’s 1984 DNC Address
"I've tried to offer leadership to the Democratic Party and the
Nation. If, in my high moments, I have done some good,
offered some service, shed some light, healed some
wounds, rekindled some hope, or stirred someone from
apathy and indifference, or in any way along the way helped
somebody, then this campaign has not been in vain."
Second example
11. Parallelism
• Definition:
Used for balance, it is the
syntactical structure of a set of
words in successive phrases,
clauses, sentences; successive
words, phrases, clauses with the
same or very similar grammatical
structure
• Example from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,
delivered by Jeff Daniels
"...and that government of the people, by the people, for
the people, shall not perish from the earth."
12. Repetition
• Definition:
The repeating of words, phrases,
clauses for emphasis
• Example from Martin Luther King Jr.’s
I Have a Dream
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
13. Rhetorical Question
• Definition:
A question, not for the purpose of further
discussion, but to assert or deny an answer
implicitly; a question whose answer is obvious
or implied.
• Example from Ronald Reagan’s Remarks to the National Association
of Evangelicals, 1983
"But no one seems to mention morality as playing a part in the
subject of sex. Is all of Judeo-Christian tradition wrong? Are we to
believe that something so sacred can be looked upon as a purely
physical thing with no potential for emotional and psychological
harm? And isn't it the parents' right to give counsel and advice to
keep their children from making mistakes that may affect their entire
lives?"
14. Simile
• Definition
A figure of speech that
makes a comparison
between two seemingly
unlike things using a
connective word such as
like, as, than, or resembles
• Example from The Shawshank Redemption Morgan Freeman
"I've had some long nights in the stir. Alone in the dark with
nothing but your thoughts, time can draw out like a blade.
That was the longest night of my life."
15. Practice Test Directions
Read each speech excerpt. When
you finish, click “test my skills”
for the question concerning the
underlined portion. If you need to
review a skill, select the Home
button at the bottom.
Begin Test
16. From Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury
“I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed
my chief strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill
of my subjects; therefore, I am come amongst you, as you see, at
this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved,
in he midst of the heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you
all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for
my people, my honor and my blood, even in the dust.”
Practice Test 1
Test my
Skills
17. Practice Test 1
“I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for
my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in he midst
of the heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to
lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for
my people, my honor and my blood, even in the dust.”
The underlined portion is an example of
A. a metaphor
B. a rhetorical question
C. an antithesis
D. parallel structure
18. Practice Test 2
From Edward Kennedy’s Eulogy for Robert F. Kennedy
"Those of us who loved him and who take him to his rest
today pray that what he was to us and what he wished for
others will some day come to pass for all the world. As he
said many times, in many parts of this nation, to those he
touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some men see
things as they are and say why. I dream things that
never were and say why not.'"
Test my
Skills
19. Practice Test 2
“As he said many times, in many parts of this nation, to
those he touched and who sought to touch him: 'Some
men see things as they are and say why. I dream things
that never were and say why not.’”
The underlined portion is an example of
A. alliteration
B. a simile
C. an antithesis
D. repetition
20. Practice Test 3
From Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech
“In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When
the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing
a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This
note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men,
would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted
on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are
concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has
given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back
marked "insufficient funds.’”
Test my
Skills
21. Practice Test 3
“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this
promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are
concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation,
America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check
which has come back marked "insufficient funds.’”
The underlined portions are an example of
A. an analogy
B. parallelism
C. hyperbole
D. an antithesis
22. Practice Test 4
From President George W. Bush 2002 State of the Union Address
“Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition
partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of
thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the
entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they
are. So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor
terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and
will not, allow it.
Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in
the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist
camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And,
second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical,
biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and
the world.”
Test my
Skills
23. Practice Test 4
“Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent
in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down
terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice.
And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek
chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United
States and the world.”
The underlined portions are an example of
A. a rhetorical question
B. alliteration
C. a metaphor
D. a hyperbole
24. Practice Test 5
From Larry Rayfield Wright in his Pro Football Hall of
Fame Address
"My senior year, I received a telephone call from a
gentleman by the name of Mr. Gil Brandt of the Dallas
Cowboys. And he stated that the Cowboys was interested
in drafting me, and I couldn't ignore it. I decided to attend
the Cowboys training camp. That year, 1967, the Dallas
Cowboys had 137 rookies in training camp. Gil Brandt
was signing everybody that could walk. Only five made
the team that year, and I was one of the five."
Test my
Skills
25. Practice Test 5
“ Gil Brandt was signing everybody that could walk.
Only five made the team that year, and I was one of the
five."
The underlined portions are an example of
A. a rhetorical question
B. alliteration
C. a metaphor
D. a hyperbole
37. Bibliography
American Rhetoric. “Rhetorical Figures in Sound.” American Rhetoric.com (2009). 3 Aug. 2009
<http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricaldevicesinsound.htm>.
American Rhetoric. “Top 100 Speeches.” American Rhetoric.com (2009). 3 Aug. 2009
<http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm>.
Arkansas Times. “Rock Candy.” arktimes.com. (2009). 3 Aug. 2009 <http://images.google.com/imgres?
imgurl=http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/Image/robin_williams.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.arktimes.com/bl
ogs/rockcandy/2009/03/robin_williams_postponed.aspx&usg=__y9nQ0AP7BFhKNREnmkJM4L4Qyc=&h=399&w=
300&sz=16&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=GtyQNNtJG9pLeM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drobin
%2Bwilliams%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG>.
Boston Herald. “More than a log cabin.” BostonHerald.com. (2009). 3 Aug. 2009 <http://images.google.com/imgres?
imgurl=http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/getting_real/wp-
content/uploads/2008/04/lincoln3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/getting_real/%3Fm
%3D200804&usg=__H3A3BvgT0oKuahZ5BXAkrIJ63qE=&h=800&w=521&sz=64&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=lmEzqR
t3ITWeiM:&tbnh=143&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dabe%2Blincoln%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den>.
Breakthrough. “The Many Sides of Al Gore.” Breakthrough. 3(2008). Aug. 2009
<http://thebreakthrough.org/blog//2008/03/the_many_sides_of_al_gore-print.html>.
Ellard. “more bloody ellard.” Ellard.com. (2007). 6 Aug. 2009 < http://images.google.com/imgres?
imgurl=http://tomellard.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ronald-reagan-
picture.jpg&imgrefurl=http://tomellard.com/wp/2009/01/jg-ballard-proved-
right/&usg=__7mtL1rgQcirVgUCfhAt7zghcvuw=&h=520&w=498&sz=87&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=MxPa6dGxpA-
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More credits
38. Bibliography (con’t)
Fused Film. “Morgan Freeman to Join Bruce Willis in Red.” Fused Film.com. (2009) 3 Aug. 2009
<http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://fusedfilm.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/07/freeman.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fusedfilm.com/2009/07/morgan-freeman-to-join-bruce-willis-
inred/&usg=__YztzIPx6ElDIB3t8Q80nSCB8vGY=&h=400&w=280&sz=21&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=Yfry21xnzNACl
M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmorgan%2Bfreeman%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den>.
Gay Spirit Diary. “Mob Kills Pakistani Christians.” Blog at Wordpress.com. (2009) 3 Aug. 2009
<joshtom.files.wordpress.com>.
Killkenny, Allison. “Daily News and Opinion.” AK Blog at Wordpress.com. (2009). 6 Aug. 200 8
<http://images.google.com/imgres?
imgurl=http://allisonkilkenny.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/nader.jpg&imgrefurl=http://allisonkilkenny.wordpress.co
m/2008/10/28/ralph-nader-stop-voting-for-the-least-
worst/&usg=__VpvmLGBNlAsdLyhjPM4B3pJfzMY=&h=816&w=600&sz=68&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=i4ZHK8xJ1lr
XvM:&tbnh=144&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dralph%2Bnader%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den>.
Pajamadeen. “Jesse Jackson’s Street Cred Sinks to New Lows.” Pajamadeen.com. (2009). 3 Aug. 2009.
<http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pajamadeen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/jesse-
jackson.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pajamadeen.com/politics/jesse-jacksons-street-cred-sinks-to-new-
lows&usg=__MkMPDBVsuVKWMjM0e_AZKGXwTSY=&h=300&w=404&sz=15&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=-
LlXl9Q1kArqEM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djesse%2Bjackson%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den>.
PLC Construction. “Archive for March 2009.” Practical Law Company. (2009). 6 Aug. 2009
<http://construction.practicallaw.com/blog/construction/plc/?m=200903>.
Space Exploration Merit Badge. “Pioneers of Space Travel.” my.execps.com. (2009). 3 Aug. 2009
<http://my.execpc.com/~culp/space/history.html>.
Toastmaster Junkie. “3 greatest speeches of all time.” Toastmastjunkie.com. (2009). 6 Aug. 2009
<http://www.toastmasterjunkie.com/3-greatest-speeches-of-all-time-john-f-kennedy-martin-luther-king-ronald-
reagan/>.
