Reference Guides for Rhetoric & Composition
These books and websites provide good composition rules and encyclopedia of rhetoric and composition.
A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms – Richard Lanham (1991)
A comprehensive and accessible standard reference for the classical figures of speech that arranges them alphabetically and by type
The figures are mostly illustrated with high culture texts, but the second edition includes more recent examples. Some contemporary figures and demotic names for classical figures are not included, nor is there an index. Rhetorical theory and theorists are broadly included but not critiqued.
The figures are mostly illustrated with high culture texts, but the second edition includes more recent examples. Some contemporary figures and demotic names for classical figures are not included, nor is there an index. Rhetorical theory and theorists are broadly included but not critiqued.
Prentice Hall Handbook for Writers – Kramer, Leggett & Mead (1995)
First published in the 1950s and now in its 12th edition, this remains the single most comprehensive and accessible writer's handbook for students and teachers
The Handbook covers the writing process, the mechanics of effective words, sentences and paragraphs, grammar, punctuation, writing in disciplines, and style. It includes a few figures of speech and a glossary and exercises.
The Handbook covers the writing process, the mechanics of effective words, sentences and paragraphs, grammar, punctuation, writing in disciplines, and style. It includes a few figures of speech and a glossary and exercises.
Silva Rhetoricae: The Forest of Rhetoric – Gideon Burton
The best single online encylopedia for rhetoricians and students of classical rhetoric
This Forest arranges the major divisions of rhetoric into trees and the smaller ones into flowers for easy study and cross-referencing. More an encyclopedia of rhetoric than a practical guide, the Forest is an award-winning, authoritative guide to rhetorical terminology.
This Forest arranges the major divisions of rhetoric into trees and the smaller ones into flowers for easy study and cross-referencing. More an encyclopedia of rhetoric than a practical guide, the Forest is an award-winning, authoritative guide to rhetorical terminology.
Literary Devices – Zheng Fang
A website for everyday students of literature and rhetoric
Not a rhetoric website, but one that includes an index of figures of speech and rhetorical terminology associated with literature. The entries are clearly written and supported by definitions, examples and usage notes.
Not a rhetoric website, but one that includes an index of figures of speech and rhetorical terminology associated with literature. The entries are clearly written and supported by definitions, examples and usage notes.