Rhetorical Devices

(Grammar Stage)

Man may use figures in ignorance, without any particular object. But when the Holy Spirit takes up human words and uses a figure (or a peculiar form), it is for a special purpose, and that purpose must be observed and due weight given to it.

E.W. Bullinger

When I first heard the word devices associated with figurative words I thought it sounded strange. Devices had a connotation (mental meaning) of machinery equipment in my mind.  

Rhetorical devices are figures of speech. “Figures of Speech Used in the Bible”, by Bullinger explains and illustrates them beautifully.

There are over 55 types of rhetorical devices you can learn then incorporate into your Homeschool curriculum, blog, article, or e-book. Writers use them because it greatly improves clarity, strength, effectiveness and adds grace to their words.

Samuel Johnson knew how to use rhetorical devices. He said if man did not learn how to use these embellishments he would have to be ridiculed and forgotten before he was understood.

If you can try to locate this book  “A Book of Seventeenth-Century Prose” at Amazon or your antiquarian book dealer, do so. Rhetorical devices grace the pages of this book. You’ll be fascinated as you read how they use parallelism, repetition, antithesis, and much more. Here are some experts.

High styles these authors of the seventeenth century can write, a style that is reminiscent of the lonely and careful quill; and yet most of them can put down the quill on occasion and speak their sentences with a colloquial and homely grace that astounds us.     Pg. 10

Here are thinkers to whom rhetoric is a part of the strength of the thought. Bacon knows the force of practical examples to reinforce his idea. “Wisdom for a man’s self is … a depraved thing.” …It is the wisdom of rats that will be sure to leave a house somewhat before it fall. It is the wisdom of the fox that thrusts out the badger who digged and made room for him.    Pg. 10

I didn’t list all the rhetorical devices in this post because you can down load those for free in resources below.

Procatalepsis is one rhetorical device you will want to use yourself if you write, or blog and teach this device to your children. It will greatly enhance any writing curriculum.

By using procatalepsis you anticipate the objection you know a reader is going to have issues with. I like this one because by recognizing the need for this device you are able to move forward in your writing while taking into account opposing points. Further, it shows your reader or student you are aware of the issues and you are not shying away, rather you are trying to make a conscious effort to answer them honestly and you are not ignorant of that issue. I have enjoyed reading skillful writers use this device in an almost conversational tone like a back-and-forth dialog.

Pronounced: pro kat uh LEP sis.

Procatalepsis is also known by other names—  prolepsis, and apantesis.

Pro = before

Lepsis=  to seize beforehand

Grammar Stage of Procatalepsis will answer…

Q. What is procatalepsis?

A. It is a rhetorical device that anticipates an objection that might be raised by a reader. You, the writer already know the reader is going to object so you craft an argument that is already laid out for the reader.

Rhetorical Device Resources:

• A free Rhetorical Handbook  http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm

• The Forest of Rhetoric http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm

• A Book of Seventeeth-Century Prose by Coffin and Witherspoon

Maribel Hernandez

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