Question

Rhetorical devices are patterns of words used to clarify or stress ideas, stir emotions, and make
language memorable. Three types of rhetorical devices often used in arguments are analogy,
direct address, and juxtaposition.
Type of Rhetorical Device: Example: Frequent Effect or
Purpose:
Analogy: a comparison that points
out the similarities between two
things, often explaining something
unfamiliar by likening it to
something familiar
In the human body, the
spleen is like a filter for your
blood.
clarifies or explains
something unfamiliar or
hard to understand
Direct Address: the use of the
word “you” to speak directly to the
reader or audience
You must get out and vote if
you want your voice to be
heard.
enhances reader interest
by creating the illusion of a
relationship with them
Juxtaposition: placing two very
different ideas or images side by
side
My mother is short and thin
while my father is tall and
stout.
highlights the differences
between the two ideas or
images
Rhetorical devices also influence the tone of an argument. A writer’s tone is their attitude toward
their subject matter or their audience.
DIRECTIONS: Read each passage. Then, answer the questions that follow.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
—President John F. Kennedy, Jr.
1. Which rhetorical device is used in the passage?
a. analogy b. direct address c. juxtaposition
2. What is the intended effect of the rhetorical device you identified in question 1?
Our biology teacher, Mrs. Kim, said that the human brain is like a computer, as both send
information.
3. Which rhetorical device does Mrs. Kim use?
a. analogy b. direct address c. juxtaposition
4. Why does Mrs. Kim likely use the rhetorical device you identified in question 3?
PRACTICE
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Name: Date:
RHETORICAL DEVICES
A. DIRECTIONS: Read this passage from a magazine article. Then, answer the questions.
(1) Bees are wonderful little creatures. (2) They are responsible for pollinating the plants
that produce many of the foods you and I eat, so they are extremely important to the
human food supply. (3) Without them, we wouldn’t have many of the plants that we eat,
nor would we have honey. (4) Some people have a fear of bees because they are wary
of being stung. (5) While bees might sting now and then, they only do so when they feel
danger. (6) So, if you don’t threaten them, they are unlikely to threaten you.
1. Which sentences use direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
2. Is sentence 3 an example of juxtaposition? Explain your answer.
3. Which of these best describes the tone of the passage?
a. humorous b. respectful c. discouraged
B. DIRECTIONS: Read this passage from an argumentative essay. Then, answer the questions.
(1) I don’t know about you, but when I get a piece of bad news, all I want is a carrot! (2)
That doesn’t sound very realistic, does it? (3) Chips, cookies, and candy: These are the
foods that are emotionally nourishing but nutritionally deficient. (4) The nutritionally
deficient part is why we need to learn to change how we view junk food. (5) These foods
might satisfy a momentary craving, but they’re hurting our health in the long term. (6)
Continually eating junk food is like slowly drinking poison. (7) You might not notice
anything at first, but over time, you’ll feel the effects.
1. Which two sentences make up an analogy? Write the sentence numbers.
2. What does the analogy you identified in question 1 make clearer?
3. Which sentences contain direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
4. What does the direct address you identified in question 3 emphasize?
5. Which of these describes the tone of the passage?
a. arrogant b. encouraging c. concerned

Answer 1

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
—President John F. Kennedy, Jr.

1. Which rhetorical device is used in the passage?
b. direct address

2. What is the intended effect of the rhetorical device you identified in question 1?
To engage the audience directly and urge personal responsibility — it makes the call to action feel personal and immediate.

Our biology teacher, Mrs. Kim, said that the human brain is like a computer, as both send information.

3. Which rhetorical device does Mrs. Kim use?
a. analogy

4. Why does Mrs. Kim likely use the rhetorical device you identified in question 3?
To clarify a complex idea by comparing the unfamiliar (the brain) to something familiar (a computer), making the brain’s function easier to understand.

A. Bees passage
1. Which sentences use direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
Sentences 2 and 6. (They use “you” — “the foods you and I eat” and “if you don’t threaten them…”)

2. Is sentence 3 an example of juxtaposition? Explain your answer.
No. Sentence 3 lists consequences of no bees (fewer plants we eat and no honey); it does not place contrasting ideas side by side to highlight differences, so it is not juxtaposition.

3. Which of these best describes the tone of the passage?
b. respectful

B. Junk-food passage
1. Which two sentences make up an analogy? Write the sentence numbers.
Sentences 6 and 7.

2. What does the analogy you identified in question 1 make clearer?
It clarifies that eating junk food causes gradual, harmful effects on health over time, similar to slowly drinking poison.

3. Which sentences contain direct address? Write the sentence numbers.
Sentences 1 and 7. (“I don’t know about you…”; “…you’ll feel the effects.”)

4. What does the direct address you identified in question 3 emphasize?
It makes the issue personal and relevant to the reader, encouraging them to consider their own eating habits.

5. Which of these describes the tone of the passage?
c. concerned