Exploring Persuasive Techniques in Composition

In a guest post, ARHuelsenbeck, a former elementary general music teacher and blogger about the arts and creative process, delves into the world of poetic devices, offering insights on how they can elevate writing to new heights.

Rhetorical devices, as ARHuelsenbeck explains, are powerful tools that writers can use to add specificity, emotional impact, colour, and memorability to their work. One such device is alliteration, where words starting with the same sound are used in close proximity, as in "The slender snake slithered in the sand."

Assonance, the repetition of similar vowel sounds within phrases or sentences, is another device that can make writing more musical and expressive. A classic example is "He spent his summer mornings roaming and roving over the hills."

Anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of three or four successive phrases, clauses, or sentences, can create a rhythmic and powerful effect. For instance, "When the sun sets, the stars come out, the moon takes its place, and the night begins."

Epistrophe, the repeating of a word or phrase at the end of three or four consecutive phrases, can also add a sense of unity and closure to a piece of writing. An example would be "The sun sets, the stars come out, the moon takes its place, and the night begins, bringing peace to the world."

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that make comparisons. A metaphor states something is something else, like saying "A pretty girl is a melody." A simile, on the other hand, uses the words "like" or "as," such as "A pretty girl is like a melody."

Personification, the ascribing of human characteristics or behavior to something non-human, can bring a vividness and life to writing. An example would be "The avalanche raced down the mountain."

Backloading, where the most important word of a sentence is placed at the end, can create a dramatic impact. For example, "Jason's dad exploded when he saw the damage to his car."

Oxymoron, the juxtaposition of two conflicting images, can add wry humour and depth to writing. An example is "Observing the cheerful chaos, he quietly shouted for it to stop."

Zeugma, the utilization of two different meanings of a word in the same sentence, can create wry humour. An example would be "He polished the silver and the mirror, making them shine brightly."

Polysyndeton, the use of multiple conjunctions in a series, can create a more informal and rhythmic feel to writing. An example would be "He ran, and he jumped, and he danced, and he sang."

Conversely, Asyndeton, the omission of conjunctions in a series, can create a more formal and powerful effect. An example would be "He ran, jumped, danced, sang."

Rhetorical questions, questions which are not necessarily to be answered, but to make a point, can engage the reader and create a sense of urgency. An example would be "Can we not see the beauty in this world? Can we not hear the music of the birds? Can we not feel the warmth of the sun?"

In conclusion, the author, Mia Müller, encourages writers to experiment with these rhetorical devices to make their writing more expressive and memorable. By understanding and using these devices, writers can create works that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact.