In the chapter that we read this week we have learned what a rhetorical device really is. I never knew what a rhetorical device was but now I know that it is something that I use every day. Rhetorical devices are uses of language such as euphemism, dysphemism, hyperbole, and sarcasm.
For the most part I use sarcasm. Sarcasm is a type of language that you use when you are trying to convay a topic by saying the opposite thing in an obviously wron way. I use this when I think someone should know the answer to a question they ask like if they ask where is the bathroom at a store and we are standing right b it. I would say something like I don't know but definetly not right under that giant sign. Sarcasm as you can see is not only something that is used when you are trying to say the opposite thing, but it is also something that is sort of meant to insult a person. Like all rhetorical devices it is meant as more of a negative way of speaking down to a person. The other type of rhetorical device that I use is hyperbole. Hyperbole is a device used to exaggerate. When I tell someone a story about something that happened one day I often exaggerate a lot, for instance when I tell people about how tall someone was I may say that they were like ten feet tall when in reality they may have only been like 6-7 feet tall, and because I'm so short that is really tall for me. It seems that I use the differen rhetoric devices every day without giving it a second thought.
Like you, through this week's reading I have learned what exactly rhetorical devices are. This is interesting to me because I use some of them pretty often. Sarcasm is a big one for me too. The book describes it as something used in a negative way, but I don't feel like I use it to talk down or belittle anyone. I use it more in a joking way. Hyperbole is another one that I use often as well. The example you gave about exaggeration a person's height is something that I would do. I personally like using these rhetorical devices in my language. As long as they mean no harm why not :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marty, I like to use rhetorical devices when I speak. Sometimes I have to be careful because some people do not like sarcasm or exaggerations and will take it the wrong way. Also, I hardly ever use rhetorical devices when in text. This is because sarcasm is hard to pick up on when using it through text. I do not use exaggerations through text either because if I exaggerate in text, then the person I exaggerated to might think it is real. This could get me in trouble if people take what I text to the heart.
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