Rhetorical Devices

Many of us use a variety of rhetorical devices in our daily discussions. Its purpose is to persuade others to believe a thought or idea without the use of reason. Within the past weeks, I can say that I have use a variety of these rhetorical devices, but the two methods that I am going to discuss in this post are hyperbole and lie. Hyperbole, as most of us know, is exaggeration. This is a very common technique that we encounter almost in every conversation. For example just earlier today, I told my friends how difficult one of my midterms was. I used the expression, "It was so hard, I almost passed out on the third question." Realistically, I did not feel like passing out or anything near that, but instead I was just really nervous and wanted to get every answer right. Another device that I used was a lie. A lie is a false statement that is intended to deceive. Even if we all are aware that lying is a horrible habit, it is sometimes inevitable. Last week, my parents were constantly reminding me to fill out my FAFSA application because it was due in a few days. That week was a busy one for me, and completing the FAFSA was just not at the top of my to-do list. And so when my parents asked me, I just lied and told them that I finished it when I really did not turn it in a couple days after telling them that I did. I used these methods to persuade people to believe whatever I say so that they can get a sense of how I see and feel different about different thoughts and situations.