Rhetorical devices 101

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2,3

Literary & rhetorical devices

Goal: 

you understand what literary and rhetorical devices are.

After this lesson, you can implement at least one literary/rhetorical device (chosen from the hand-out) in your speech .

Rhetorical devices

Literary/Rhetorical devices

 A use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)

Literary language is sometimes thought 

about in terms of its deviations from or 

distortions of ordinary language. 

Thinking about these devices bc they are different from the norm. 

portrait by Picasso

people find deviations from the norm more interesting, less boring. 

Why do you think of this portrait?

this definition of literary language does not equal all language that can be found in books/novels

Literary/Rhetorical devices 

• Techniques to give an additional and/or supplemental meaning, idea, or feeling.
• The goal of these techniques is to create imagery, emphasis, or clarity within a text in hopes of engaging the reader.

Which literary device is this:
"The paper is as light as a feather."

1. simile
2. hyperbole
3. metaphor
4. euphemism

Students need the hand-out in order to complete this exercise.

Explain in your own words what a hyperbole is.

Which literary device is this:
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

1. metaphor
2. simile
3. personification
4. hyperbole

Explain in your own words what a metaphor is.

Which literary device is this:
"The man is as tall as the tree."

1. metaphor
2. personification
3. simile
4. hyperbole

Explain in your own words what a simile is.

Assignment: drag the phrases to the right place.

Simile

Metaphor

Hyperbole

He's got tons of money.

As cold as ice.

The snow is a white blanket.

I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

runs like the wind

Life is a rollercoaster.

I died of embarrassment.

Her eyes were diamonds.

As slow as a sloth.

Assignment

In pairs, complete the exercises on the worksheet. 

Use the hand-out as support.

Name two things you have learned today.