Rhetorical and persuasive devices · Grade 10
Rhetorical devices are tools that speakers and writers use to persuade: they make an argument sound stronger, more personal or more memorable. Spot them, name them and explain their effect.
Key facts
- Rhetorical question: asked for effect, with no answer expected: Who wants to live in a town full of litter? It makes the reader stop and think.
- Rule of three: three ideas together: safe, green and free. It sounds complete and is easy to remember. Repetition (It must stop. It must stop now.) hammers home an idea.
- Direct address (you) and imperatives (Sign the petition today.) involve the reader and tell them what to do.
- Statistics (90% of the rubbish on our beach is plastic.) and expert opinion (Doctors agree that…) make an argument sound factual and trustworthy.
- Emotive language uses strong words to stir feelings such as pity or anger: Helpless puppies are left shivering in the cold.