Good Readers, Good Writers: Discussion Topic 3

In Good Readers, Good Writers, there are a few rhetorical devices used. One device that I think was used was the device Antithesis, which is defined as, "Establishing a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining them together or juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure. Human beings are inveterate systematizers and categorizers, so the mind has a natural love for antithesis, which creates a definite and systematic relationship between ideas." (Harris 2) An example of Nobokov using antithesis is, when he talks about the author being an artist and painting a picture, but we don't look at it as an artist, we look at the novel as a regular person using their imagination to recreate the picture.

Another rhetorical device that was used was Amplification, which is defined as, "Involving repeating a word or expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize what might otherwise be passed over. In other words, amplification allows you to call attention to, emphasize, and expand a word or idea to make sure the reader realizes its importance or centrality in the discussion." (Harris 3)Nabokov uses amplification many time to make his point. First he says we need to be detached, then we must stay detached and use our imagination, and then we must take these to and lose our emotional connection, and this pattern continues all throughout the essay.

Harris, Robert. "A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices." VirtualSalt. 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 20 Aug. 2011. http://virtualsalt.com/rhetoric2.

Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lecture