Raymond Chandler's Rhetorical Techniques

Rhetorical devices are complimentary techniques that definitely help the writer on promoting an argument and reaching a purpose(s). These techniques consist of rhetorical questions, exclamations, commands, tone, and others. They are used to express his or her feelings writer’s feelings and describe and support his or her arguments to be more credible and attractive for influencing the reader. In the beginning of the essay “On Being 17, Bright, and Unable to Read,” Raymond Chandler wrote, “I’m dumb. I’m dumb—I wish I were dead!” (Chandler 77). He uses several rhetorical devices to express his disappointment and desperation that no one in the school understand his problem. Another example, in the middle of the essay “And Ain’t I a Woman,” Sojourner

Truth wrote, “I have borne thirteen children, and seen them most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me!” (Truth 291). She uses rhetorical devices to express her painfulness about racism and gender discrimination. Therefore, the writer uses rhetorical devices to convince the readers agree and comply with his or her agreement.