Free sample activity · Grades 9–12

Rhetorical Devices Practice

These original examples focus on particular features of an argument or sentence. More than one technique can appear in a passage; each question identifies the feature to examine. An appeal does not prove that a claim is true.

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How to use this activity

Allow five to ten minutes. Identify the precise words supplying the technique and explain their intended effect. Check factual claims separately from their presentation.

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Repeated beginnings

In 'We need time to learn. We need room to grow. We need courage to try,' what technique appears at the start of successive sentences?

Anaphora A statistical comparison An appeal to a speaker's credentials
Answer: A.

Repeating We need at successive beginnings is anaphora. The repetition can emphasize shared needs and connect the sentences.

Balanced contrast

In 'We can spend our energy blaming, or we can spend it building,' which feature creates an antithesis?

The use of a numerical measurement The contrast between blaming and building in similar structures The speaker's job title
Answer: B.

Antithesis places contrasting ideas in a balanced form. Here, similar wording highlights the choice between blaming and building.

Parallel structure

Which phrase uses parallel grammatical structure?

To listen carefully, fair questions, and responding Listening, to question, and a thoughtful response To listen carefully, to question fairly, and to respond thoughtfully
Answer: C.

The repeated to + verb pattern makes the three actions grammatically parallel and presents them with a consistent rhythm.

Appeal to credibility

A speaker says, 'I have maintained this library's catalog for ten years, so I can explain how our records are organized.' Which appeal relies on the stated experience?

Ethos Pathos Anaphora
Answer: A.

Ethos appeals to credibility. Relevant experience may support trust in the speaker, but claims still need appropriate verification.

Appeal to reasoning

An argument says, 'The room seats 40, but 55 people registered, so we need a larger room.' Which appeal uses the stated numbers to support a conclusion?

Pathos Logos Alliteration
Answer: B.

Logos appeals to reasoning and evidence. If the stated figures are accurate, the capacity comparison supports the need for more space.

Appeal to emotion

A fundraiser describes a lonely child finally finding friends at a club. Which appeal specifically uses the audience's feelings?

A mathematical proof A definition of an unfamiliar word Pathos
Answer: C.

Pathos appeals to emotion, here by encouraging empathy. Emotional impact alone does not verify the fundraiser's factual claims.

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All questions, answers & explanations

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  1. Repeated beginnings

    In 'We need time to learn. We need room to grow. We need courage to try,' what technique appears at the start of successive sentences?

    Answer: Anaphora

    Repeating We need at successive beginnings is anaphora. The repetition can emphasize shared needs and connect the sentences.

  2. Balanced contrast

    In 'We can spend our energy blaming, or we can spend it building,' which feature creates an antithesis?

    Answer: The contrast between blaming and building in similar structures

    Antithesis places contrasting ideas in a balanced form. Here, similar wording highlights the choice between blaming and building.

  3. Parallel structure

    Which phrase uses parallel grammatical structure?

    Answer: To listen carefully, to question fairly, and to respond thoughtfully

    The repeated to + verb pattern makes the three actions grammatically parallel and presents them with a consistent rhythm.

  4. Appeal to credibility

    A speaker says, 'I have maintained this library's catalog for ten years, so I can explain how our records are organized.' Which appeal relies on the stated experience?

    Answer: Ethos

    Ethos appeals to credibility. Relevant experience may support trust in the speaker, but claims still need appropriate verification.

  5. Appeal to reasoning

    An argument says, 'The room seats 40, but 55 people registered, so we need a larger room.' Which appeal uses the stated numbers to support a conclusion?

    Answer: Logos

    Logos appeals to reasoning and evidence. If the stated figures are accurate, the capacity comparison supports the need for more space.

  6. Appeal to emotion

    A fundraiser describes a lonely child finally finding friends at a club. Which appeal specifically uses the audience's feelings?

    Answer: Pathos

    Pathos appeals to emotion, here by encouraging empathy. Emotional impact alone does not verify the fundraiser's factual claims.

Take it one step further

Write two short arguments for the same proposal using different techniques. Explain each intended effect and what evidence would still be needed.

Background reading

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