Reference number
Name of rhetorical device Total number in Balagha Corpus
   
A05 The Interrogative
When the interrogative is used for purposes other than for asking questions.
1
CI3 Concordance of Pronunciations
A rhetorical device where the communicator brings together strange, unusual and unexpected words for rhetorical effect.
1
CH1 Hyperbole
A rhetorical device where the communicator exaggerates in describing a proposition.
1
CH11 Personification
A rhetorical device where the communicator refers to non-human objects as if they were human.
1
CG1 Rhetorical Shift
A rhetorical device where the communicator deliberately changes grammatical elements—such as person, tense, form, or sentence type—to maintain engagement, create emphasis, or add expressive variety.
1
CF4 Parallelism
The communicator repeats the lexical, syntactic, or rhythmic structure of a sentence or phrase across two or more phrases, clauses, or sentences to create semantic balance, assonance, rhyme, or rhetorical emphasis.
1
CF3 Similarities of the Start and Finish
The end of a sentence has a similar meaning to the beginning of the following sentence, establishing a semantic link which bridges the two sentences.
1
CD1 Deliberate Ambiguity
Use of a word or phrase ambiguously such that two opposite meanings can be understood.
1
CD02 Evasive Response
Responding to a question with an evasive or ambiguous response.
1
A03 The Imperative
When the imperative is used for purposes other than for commanding.
1
A08 Definiteness and Indefiniteness
The use of definiteness where indefiniteness is expected, and vice-versa, as well as by their use in unexpected ways.
1
A12 Foregrounding and Backgrounding
Foregrounding can be used to give emphasis, and backgrounding can be used to build suspense or anticipation.
1
A14 Ellipsis
The omission of certain lexical items to create a rhetorical effect.
1
B1 Simile
A rhetorical device that compares two things—the likened-to and the likened—through a shared attribute, using a word or expression of resemblance.
1
CE8 Forewarning
A rhetorical device where the communicator subtly prepares the audience by providing preliminary hints, enabling them to anticipate the message before it is explicitly delivered.
2
CG7 Integration of Imagery
A rhetorical device where the communicator uses imagery to imply the existence of something else, rather than explicitly mentioning it.
2
CG10 Meaningful Proper Nouns
Use of names of people or places that have can have multiple meanings or interpretations.
2
CF2 Finesse of Initiation
A rhetorical device where the communicator starts by hinting at the main objective of the text, attracting the attention of the addressee and making the addressee eager to hear the main proposition.
2
CE2 Syntactic Grouping
Combining several things together and giving a collective verdict or judgement on them together.
2
B6 Hinting
Indirect suggestion of the intended meaning through the use of an aphorism, a proverb, a riddle or an innuendo, rather than directly stating the intended message.
2
A11 Conjunction and Disjunction
Rhetorical effects achieved by joining words and clauses which do not have an apparent connection, and vice versa.
3
B5 Implicit Reference
Use of a descriptive word or phrase which alludes to the intrinsic characteristics of a thing, in place of the real name.
3
CC2 Repetition With Varied Phrasing
A rhetorical technique in which a single idea is reinforced by repeating it through two or more lexical items with different wording but similar or complementary meaning.
4
CB1 Antithesis
Two antonyms appear together, such as “big” and “small.” The two words may be allegorical or non-allegorical.
6
A13 Brevity, Verbosity and Moderation
Brevity is the exclusion of some information for rhetorical benefit. Verbosity is the inclusion of extra information for a rhetorical purpose.
8
CC1 Repetition
Repeated use of a lexical item for a rhetoric purpose such as emphasis, praise or criticism.
8
B4 Allegory
Taking a word which has one meaning, and using it in a different but closely related way.
9
B2 Metaphor
A rhetorical device where there is an implied comparison without explicit mention of the comparison.
9