Rhetorical Techniques
Some of these are a little hard to recognize in translation, especially word order and sound; click on the biblical citation to hear the technique.

  Term   Definition   Effect   Biblical Examples   Listen for...
  Words and Phrases
epanaphora
repetition of the same word at the beginning of a series of clauses, or sentences; often phrased in the form of rhetorical questions
helps someone follow the argument; adds emphasis
  • Colossians 1:16-18
  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
  • 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
  • whether; and
  • different kinds
  • to one, to another
antistrophe
repetition of the same word at the end of successive clauses
helps someone follow the argument; adds emphasis
  • 1 Corinthians 1:27-28
  • to shame the x
parison
a string of parallel phrases; verbs parallel in sound; a series of clauses, similar words or prepositional phrases
entertaining; helps to link ideas
  • 1 Corinthians 12:29–13:3
  • are all…; do all…; if I …
ekphrasis
extended descriptions
not a diversion but a rest for audience before returning to the main theme; purpose was to delight audience
  • 1 Corinthians 3:9-16
  • Revelation 17:3-6, 15-18
 
metaphors and similes
often hack figures drawn from athletics, military, sea, pastoral life, medicine
often "heaped up" for effect; entertaining, brings “home” the point
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19
  • Galatians 5:7-9
  • crown (from victory in games or war)
  • v. 9: leaven and dough
paradeigmata
examples drawn from myth, nature, and life; a common feature of inductive argument
reinforces argument with more familiar and accepted life examples
  • 1 Corinthians 2:11
  • 1 Corinthians 14:6-9
    (vv. 7-8)
  • spirit : person :: Spirit : God
  • notes on instruments :: words spoken in tongues
oxymoron
combination of two or more terms that normally contradict one another
entertaining; keeps audience on toes
  • 1 Corinthians 1:25
  • foolishness = wisdom
asyndeton
omission of connectives
intensifies the directness of the speech
  • 1 Corinthians 6:8
no sound file
  • [invisible in English; you’d need to know how Greek is usually written/spoken to appreciate the absence of και, μεν/δε, γαρ]
polysyndeton
accumulation of connectives phrased in the form of rhetorical questions
has a sort of “piling up” effect, emphasizing the point
  • Colossians 1:16-18
sound file at epanaphora, above
  • whether…or; and
  Argument
arsis
idea first stated negatively, then positively
reinforces point
  • 1 Corinthians 2:6
  • not a wisdom of this age… rather we speak God’s wisdom
diaporesis
pretense of doubt
addresses doubt head-on, entertains
  • Philippians 1:20-24 (v 22)
  • and I do not know which I shall choose
paraleipsis
pretense of passing over a point in silence, while emphasizing that very point
gives impression of concession but actually emphasizes point
  • 2 Corinthians 9:4
  • Philemon 17-19 (v 19)
  • to say nothing of you
  • I say nothing about your owing me even your own self (NRSV; NAB less clear)
enthymeme
a statement or assertion followed by a supporting reason; a common feature of deductive argument
clarity, explanation
  • Matthew 5:3-12
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5
  • Romans 1:10-17
  • blessed are… for
  • For we know, brothers…
  • For I…; so that …
hyperbole, exaggeration
overstate the case
entertainment; guarantees agreement with a lesser point
  • Galatians 5:11-12
  • would that [they] would castrate themselves!
  Sound
parachesis
two words of different roots but with similar sound
entertainment, emphasis
  • James 1:24
  • goes out (απεληλυθεν) and forgets (επελαθετο)
paronomasia
similarity of sound with dissimilarity of sense
entertainment, emphasizes contrast
  • James 2:20; 4:14
  • works (εργων) –useless (αργη)
 

Bibliography
 
Aune, David E.  The Westminster Dictionary of New Testament and Early Christian Literature and Rhetoric.  Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003.
 
Classen, Carl Joachim.  Rhetorical Criticism of the New Testament.  Leiden: Brill, 2002.
 
Kennedy, George Alexander.  Classical Rhetoric and Its Christian and Secular Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times, 2nd rev. ed.  Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1999.
 
--------.  New Testament Interpretation Through Rhetorical Criticism.  Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 1984.