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Concept
Rhetorical device
Summary
In rhetoric, a rhetorical device, persuasive device, or stylistic device is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading them towards considering a topic from a perspective, using language designed to encourage or provoke an emotional display of a given perspective or action. They seek to make a position or argument more compelling than it would otherwise be.
Sonic devices depend on sound. Sonic rhetoric is used as a clearer or swifter way of communicating content in an understandable way. Sonic rhetoric delivers messages to the reader or listener by prompting a certain reaction through auditory perception.
Alliteration is the repetition of the sound of an initial consonant or consonant cluster in subsequent syllables.Small showers last long but sudden storms are short.
Assonance is the repetition of similar vowel sounds across neighbouring words.
Blow wind, swell billow and swim bark!
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds across words which have been deliberately chosen. It is different from alliteration as it can happen at any place in the word, not just the beginning.
In the following example, the k sound is repeated five times.
with streaks of light,
And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels...
Cacophony refers to the use of unpleasant sounds, such as the explosive consonants k, g, t, d, p and b, the hissing sounds sh and s, and also the affricates ch and j, in rapid succession in a line or passage, creating a harsh and discordant effect.
Hear the loud alarum bells– Brazen bells! What tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!In the startled ear of nightHow they scream out their affright!Too much horrified to speak,They can only shriek, shriek...
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that attempt to emulate a sound. When used colloquially, it is often accompanied by multiple exclamation marks and in all caps. It is common in comic strips and some cartoons.
Some examples: smek, thwap, kaboom, ding-dong, plop, bang and pew.
Official source
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