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Rhetoric uses techniques such as symbolism, repetition, and figurative language to persuade audiences by appealing to logic or emotion. Sound patterns and rhetorical questions are also common. Rhetoric can divert attention from important issues and draw parallels with pop culture or historical events.
Rhetorical techniques or rhetorical devices are generally used to make rhetoric more powerful. The purpose of most rhetoric is to change an audience’s opinions, usually by appealing to logic or emotion. Writers of rhetoric often hope to persuade their audiences by appealing to emotion as a means of distraction from important issues, leaving out some detail or confusing the audience with complex speech. Symbolism, imagery, repetition, exaggeration, and figurative language are some other common rhetorical techniques. Rhetorical questions, grammatical parallelism, and the use of humor, pop culture, or historical references may also be considered common rhetorical techniques.
Sound patterns are often used to help emphasize the ideas behind the rhetoric. Repeating similar sounds can help draw the audience into the flow of a piece of rhetoric. Metaphors, similes, exaggeration, figurative language, and other elements of literary composition are often employed as rhetorical techniques. These devices can make rhetoric more engaging for the audience.
Rhetorical questions, generally defined as questions that have no concrete answer, are often used in rhetoric to help influence audience thinking. The answer to a rhetorical question is usually a matter of opinion. Most authors and speakers make it clear, through context, what responses they are personally espousing when asking rhetorical questions.
Associating with other groups, events or ideas is considered to be another common rhetorical technique. Speakers or authors often attempt to influence the thinking of their audience by drawing connections between their own ideas and things that the audience may fear, love, hate, or admire. When espousing a particular set of ideals or course of action, many speakers tend to leave out key details that would detract from their cause. They will also generally leave out any details that might support the opposition’s ideas. Drawing parallels between pop culture phenomena or historical events is often used in rhetoric to help audiences identify more strongly with the ideas espoused by a given speaker.
Techniques used in rhetoric also often include diverting the audience’s thoughts away from flaws in the speaker’s ideology or strengths in the opponent’s position. This is often accomplished by diverting the discussion away from any important issues that may be under fire. Many politicians, for example, resort to personal attacks on an opponent or focus on the opponent’s past mistakes, rather than discussing relevant political and social issues. Long-winded, confusing and complex statements may be used, often followed by oversimplified and clear statements intended to inspire public confidence.
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