Answer to Question #144299 in Philosophy for ozz

Question

Identify the rhetorical devices that occur in each of the following passages, and then explain in a sentence of two how it is committed. (Possible answers are: (i) Innuendo, (ii) Euphemism or Dysphemism, (iii) Paralipsis, (iv) Proof Surrogate, (v) Loaded question, (vi) Weaselers, (vii) Rhetorical comparison (viii) Horse laugh, sarcasm.

a) “Did you hear Donald trump’s speech the other day? It literally made no sense. I swear.” HBO host John Oliver describing the speech as being like “a drunk driver crashing a pickup truck full of alphabet soup.””

Answer 1

One of the notable rhetorical devices in this passage is innuedo. It refers to a veiled reflection on character. The speaker states, "HBO host, John Oliver describing the speech as being like a drunk driver crashing a pickup truck full of alphabet soup.” This statement damages the reputation of the HBO host John Oliver. Additionally, the speaker uses paralipsis in describing Donald Trump's speech. Paralipsis is a rhetorical device that deliberately suggest an idea through a brief treatment of a subject. The speaker using paralipsis omits significant points about the subject. This device is not able in "Did you hear Donald trump’s speech the other day? It literally made no sense. I swear.”