Pupils – along with some of their teachers – are often puzzled when it comes to stylistic devices, rhetorical devices, figures of speech, etc. This page aims to shed some light on this subject.
Stylistic Devices? Rhetorical devices?
Generally, style refers to the way in which language is used, while rhetoric is the art of persuation. Style and rhetoric are closely intertwined with each other. Stylistic or rhetorical devices are techniques to make speeches, essays, poems, etc. more interesting or convincing. They evoke certain feelings, images or ideas, or give auxiliary meaning to an utterance. Knowing that there is no consistent definition of “stylistic devices“, let us use the term as an umbrella term for the structure, diction, and figures of speech applied in a text. (Often stylistic devices are called rhetorical devices.)
Structure
Referring to its formal structure “a text is either a novel, a drama, a poem, or some other ‘form’ of literature. However, this term can also refer to the length of lines, stanzas, or cantos in poems, as well as sentences, paragraphs, or chapters in prose. Furthermore, such visible structures as dialogue versus narration are also considered part of formal structure. […] Plot structure refers to the configuration of a plot in terms of its exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution/denouement.” (Wikipedia [1])
Another aspect is the framework the author uses to organise their train of thought. Sequence/chronological? Description? Cause and effect? Problem – solution? Compare – contrast? Directions? Would you mind more information? [2] Why don’t you take a look at the “Text Structure Signal Questions & Signal Words [3]” chart? The “Text Structure Frames [4]” are really useful, too.
Diction
Diction refers to the kind of words used by the author. “Are they taken from any particular word field – e. g. religion (like “sermon”, “awe”, “devotion”, “pious”) or business (like “credit”, “investment”, “deal”, “contract”, “firm”, “partner”, “profit”)? Does the author use a lot of descriptive adjectives and adverbs (like “sweet”, “glowing”, “hummid”, “tightly”, “shyly”) or verbs of motion (like “jump”, “hobble”, “hop”, “rush”)?” (Freese, Peter [ed.], Previews. Einführungskurs in die gymnasiale Oberstufe. München: Langenscheidt 2001, p. 110.)
Is the language formal or neutral? Is it complex or simple? Vulgar? Inappropriate? Abstract or concrete?
Figures of speech
Often, language is used in an unusual, figurative way. Commonly, those “figures of speech” can be divided into two categories, “schemes” (unusual arrangements of words) and “tropes” (unusual meanings of words). Find more information about topes and schemes [5] on silva rhetoricae [6] and about “Why You Should Know Your Figures” on Figures of Speech Served Fresh. [7] There you can also find another, yet more interesting, compilation of “rhetorical terms [8]“.