Rhetoric - Examples and Definition of Rhetoric

Rhetoric Definition
Rhetoric is a technique of the use of language efficaciously and persuasively in spoken or written shape. It is an artwork of discourse, which studies and employs various techniques to convince, influence, or please an audience.

For instance, someone gets on your nerves, you start feeling irritated, and also you say, “Why don’t you depart me alone?” By posing any such query, you are not honestly inquiring for a reason. Instead, you simply want him to prevent annoying you. Thus, you direct language in a particular way for powerful communication, utilizing rhetoric. A scenario in which you employ rhetoric is known as a “rhetorical scenario.”

Difference Between Rhetorical Device and Figures of Speech
Rhetorical figures or devices are hired to reap precise emphasis and effect. Rhetorical devices, however, are specific from “figures of speech”. Wherever and whenever a figure of speech is utilized in written texts and speech, it alters meanings of words. For instance, the metaphor used within the expression “He is a tiger,” is a whole altered shape of a simple idea “He is brave.” Try to compare this case to the use of a rhetorical device in the instance under:

“I am never ever going to rob everyone for you and never, in no way ever give in for your sinful wish.”

The repetition within the above instance does lay emphasis on the statement but does now not modify the experience of it.

Common Rhetoric Examples
Below are some examples on how rhetoric is employed through the usage of numerous literary devices:

How did this idiot get elected? – A rhetorical query to persuade others that the “fool” does not should be elected.
Here comes the Helen of our school. – An allusion to “Helen of Troy,” to emphasize the beauty of a girl.
I would die if you requested me to sing in front of my parents. – A hyperbole to influence others no longer to use pressure to make you do some thing you don’t need to do.
All blonds are dumb. – Using a stereotype to develop a wellknown opinion about a group.
Nevertheless, the difference between rhetorical gadgets and figures of speech is so minute that both proportion many features. A discern of speech will become a tool in rhetoric when it's miles aimed toward persuading the readers or listeners.

Examples of Rhetoric in Literature
Let us try to investigate the usage of rhetoric in some literary works:

Example #1: Paradise Lost (By John Milton)
John Milton’s Paradise Lost has numerous examples of rhetoric. To quote an example from Book V:

“…endorse him of his satisfied state—
Happiness in his energy left unfastened to will,
Left to his personal loose will, his will although loose
Yet mutable.”

The repetition of the word “free will” emphasizes the subject matter of human creation, that is making unfastened choices, however the phrase “yet mutable” creates ambiguity that, regardless of being loose, Adam had to be careful, as a incorrect act should make him lose his freedom.

Example #2: Death, be not Proud (By John Donne)
John Donne addresses dying in his Death, be no longer Proud (Holy Sonnet 10) by using saying:

“Thou ‘artwork slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and illness dwell,
And poppy ‘or charms could make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?”

The rhetorical question “why swell’st thou then?” serves to minimize the awful nature of dying. He devalues dying with the aid of calling it a “slave,” and that it maintains the despicable agency of “poison, war, illness” and seeks their support.

Example #3: Crossing Brooklyn Ferry (By Walt Whitman)
We see Walt Whitman in his poem Crossing Brooklyn Ferry use anaphora to create a rhetorical effect:

“Flood-tide beneath me! I watch you, face to face;
Clouds of the west! sun there half an hour high! I see you also face to face.”

Anaphora is a device wherein the same word or word is repeated at regular durations to reap a rhetorical effect.

Function of Rhetoric
Rhetoric, as defined above, is a device for writers and orators which empowers them to convince their readers and listeners approximately their point of view. Often, we discover rhetoric examples in non secular sermons and political speeches. They goal to make comparisons, to awaken gentle emotions, to censure rivals, and all that is done to influence listeners.

Advertisers provide their ads a touch of rhetoric to boost their income by using convincing people that their product is higher than different products within the market. For instance, in an advertisement, a girl – after shampooing her hair with a particular product – says, “I can’t forestall touching my hair.” This is an try to trap consumers, thru visual rhetoric, to shop for this product, so as to have soft and bright hair like her.