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AP English / Hartnett
How to Explain Rhetorical or Literary Device Effect
Name: ______________________________________
Date: _________________________________
ALL the passages you will read, whether it is a speech, an essay, poetry or an excerpt from a play or novel, are prime
examples of writing and communication. These passages all share one quality: every part of the writing serves to enhance
the overall meaning. This means the rhetorical and literary devices or elements are a key ingredient in the passage’s unified
expression or purpose. It is your job to explain how specific qualities in each passage enhance meaning.
 VERBOTEN 
The imagery in the passage helps the reader to understand it better.
VAGUE! Which part of the passage? How? Understand what? What is “it?”
The imagery helps to increase the effectiveness of the passage.
VAGUE! What kind of imagery? Which words? Increase the effectiveness of what specific tone/mood/experience?
The imagery makes the passage more interesting (or catches the reader’s attention).
Evaluative, not analytical! Unimportant. Instead, focus on the passage, not the reader.
So then, when you write about literary devices,
start with the device itself, then explain its effect.
Example:
All the hedges are singing with yellow birds!
A boy runs by with lemons in his hands.
Rita Dove, “Notes from a Tunisian Journal”
Explanation of literary device:
The visual imagery of the yellow birds is heighted and reinforced by the kinetic and visual
imagery of the boy running by carrying lemons.
OR
In addition to the reinforcement of the birds’ color by the inclusion of lemons, the word “yellow”
picks up concomitant synesthetic sound and speed attributes through birds’ auditory imagery
and the boy’s kinetic imagery. Now yellow isn’t just a color. It’s a chirping, quick sound.
Literary devices in writing will either reinforce or contrast the overall message of the passage, never detract from it.
Until you become proficient in explaining the purpose of literary devices, including during our daily voice lessons, please
utilize this template on all homework, quizzes, tests and essays:
_________________
[1specific literary device]
_______________________
________________
______________________.
[2specific example quoted from text] [3verb describing effect] of [4experience or point of passage].
1
Use the device lists I give you during class. You must memorize the definitions and be able to correctly identify examples.
Unless you quote, the grader (me included) cannot assume you know what you’re talking about. QUOTE! NO ELLIPSES!
3
Use the verb/verbal phrase list below (or similar expressions)
4
You must specifically name and describe the experience, tone, or meaning of passage.
2
Here’s a list of verbs to insert into [3verb describing effect – NB: all verbs are in the present tense]:
“Reinforce” types of verbs
intensifies, strengthens, creates, fosters, increases,
heightens, escalates, snowballs, builds up, deepens,
enhances, augments, amplifies, enriches, boosts,
accentuates, consolidates, bolsters, supports,
substantiates, corroborates, contributes, brings about,
invokes, produces, prompts
“Contrast” types of verbs
stands out against, draws a distinction, heightens the
dissimilarity, redirects, distinguishes, diverges, creates a gap
between, increases the disparity between, enhances the
dissimilarity between, intensifies the differences, dampens,
arrests, extinguishes, limits, diverts, reverses, transfers
words to use instead of SHOWS
demonstrates, displays, communicates, reveals, exhibits, exposes, projects, betrays, declares, evinces, exposes, gives
away, manifests, disports, flashes, flaunts, lays out, parades, produces, sports, struts, unveils, brandishes, flourishes,
waves; advertises, airs, announces, blazes, broadcasts, heralds, proclaims, publicizes, trumpets; divulges, talks (about),
tells (of); bares, discovers, unmasks, discloses, uncloaks, uncovers
AP English / Hartnett
How to Explain Rhetorical or Literary Device Effect
Name: ______________________________________
Date: _________________________________