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1、A Free Talk on Rhetoric in Senior English Textbooks Nowadays you can see rhetoric phenomena existing everywhere in the Senior English textbooks in circulation. Generally, grammar tells what is correct; rhetoric tells what is effective and pleasing. Just as Brooks & Warren say (Modern Rhetoric), “Rhe
2、toric is the art of using language effectively”. Hence, its the most important stage for middle school students to master secondary English and form fundamental linguistic qualities. If anyone who knows English knows about some rhetoric styles, its not only of great help to distinguish all kinds of
3、rhetoric phenomena of this language, but also good to improve the ability of analyzing representing skills in language and efficiently applying the language. Therefore, Id love to give a brief talk about some common figures of speech here. 1Simile The simile came from a Latin word similes which mean
4、s like. It is a figure of speech which makes a comparison between two unlike elements having at least one quality or feature in common. In comparison, words like as, as.as, as if, like, seem and the pattern A to B as Cto D, etc. are used to change the quality or feature that we combine with one to t
5、he other. For instance, Livingwithoutanaimislikesailingwithoutacompass. Some additional examples:ThefirsttimeIreadanexcellentbook,itistomeasifIhadgainedanewfriend.It was like stepping into a secret art museum, in which we were the only visitors.Mercy falls like the gentle rain from the sky upon the
6、earth.And there exit so many structures in English as follows:(as)firmasarock; (as)lightasafeather; (as)muteasafish; (as)strongasahorse; (as) clear as crystal, etc. 2. metaphor The metaphor, referred as condensed simile, is like a simile, also makes a comparison between two unlike elements, but unli
7、ke a simile, its implied rather than stated, such as Hereallyhasaheartofgold.In front of me was a wall of animals.Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.The super-girls on TV are usually those with avoiceofgold.Alltheworldsastage,andallthemenandwo
8、menmerelyplayers. (WilliamShakespeare)Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. 3. Personification The so-called personification is to give human form of feelings to animals, or life and personal attributes to lifeless objects, that is, to impersonate animals or objects wit
9、hout life. If well applied, it will make the language you use strong and lively. For instance, the wind whistled through the trees. Some additional examples:The sun kissed the green fields.Necessity is the father of invention.Slowly it turned its face and looked at Mrs Cousins. “Me? A dog?” it seeme
10、d to say with its strong body and sharp white teeth. 4. Hyperbole Hyperbole came from a Greek word hyperbole, meaning to exceed, which was a rhetoric way of deliberate overstatement or exaggeration. Its feature is a sort of anti-nous or illogical exaggerative account so as to obtain the intense rhet
11、oric effect, such as amountainofcoal, oceansofpeople, a world of books, etc. And some additional examples:Let me take you in my arms and say goodbye, I love you more than my own life, more than my wife, and more that all the world.Chaplin sits down at the table and eats the shoe with a knife and for
12、k, enjoying every mouthful. He makes it seem as if this is one of the most delicious meals that has ever enjoyed.-Haveyouaskedyourbrothertodothedishes?-Yes,athousandtimes.The poor man because rich overnight.The old man lived a year in a minute 5. Pun It is also called a play on words, or rather a pl
13、ay on the form and meaning of words. It can be classified into two parts: homographic pun and homophonic pun. It is a commonly humorous device that is widely used, especially in daily English and ads. For example, A cannon-ball took off his legs, so he laid down his arms. Some additional examples:(1
14、)- Waiter! Will the pancakes be long?- No, sir. Round. (2)- Whats wrong with these eggs? - Dont ask me, sir. I only laid the table.A Mars a day keeps you work, rest and play. This chocolate ad reminds people of two familiar proverbs: An apple a day keeps the doctors away and All work and no play mak
15、es Jack a dull boy. 6. Alliteration Alliteration is a device that repeats the same head sound or head letter at frequent intervals, for the sound or letter repeated is usually the initial consonant sound, so it is also called front rhyme. Its commonly used to strengthen the literary grace. For instance, a particular, persistent reason; daily pursuit and pleasure; a mixture of public and private events; etc. Some additional examples:He is all fire and fight.My love is like a red red rose.Far fowls have fair feathers. 7. Euphemism Euphemism is a word fro
