Definition and Examples of Rhetorical Schemes

Definition and Examples of Rhetorical Schemes Scheme is a term in classical rhetoric for any one of the figures of speech: a deviation from conventional word order. Here are examples of scheme in use by famous authors, as well as definitions from other texts: Examples and Observations Schemes include such devices as alliteration and assonance (that purposefully arrange sounds, as in The Leith police dismisseth us) and antithesis, chiasmus, climax, and anticlimax (that arrange words for effect, as in the cross-over phrasing One for all and all for one).(Tom McArthur, The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford Univ. Press, 1992)There is a theory dating back to classical times that rhetorical figures or schemes originated as forms of expression used naturally by people in states of extreme emotion (Brinton 1988:163), that they are, in fact, imitative of emotional states. . . . Thus, rhetorical figures of omission, unusual word order or repetition are held to be imitative of actual disturbances of language in emotional contexts, which, in turn, reflect feelings and emotional states such as anger, grief, indignation or consternation...Now while it is undoubtedly true that such schemes as aposiopesis (breaking off an utterance before it is completed), hyperbat on or repetition are frequently related to emotional states, it must also be realised that the whole reservoir of rhetorical schemes represents a system which provides a multitude of possibilities of expressing meanings, among which emotions form only one variety.  (Wolfgang G. Mà ¼ller, Iconicity and Rhetoric, The Motivated Sign, ed. by Olga Fischer and Max Nnny. John Benjamins, 2001) Functions of Schemes In addition to structuring reality, the schemes help writers organize and orchestrate their relationships with readers. As vehicles for social interaction, they can Signal the level of formality (high, middle, low) as well [as] local shifts across these levels;Control the emotional intensity of prosecranking it up here, ratcheting it down there;Showcase the writers wit and command over his or her medium;Enlist readers into collaborative relationships, inviting them to desire the completion of a pattern once they get its gist (Burke, Rhetoric of Motives 58-59).    (Chris Holcomb and M. Jimmie Killingsworth, Performing Prose: The Study and Practice of Style in Composition. SIU Press, 2010) Tropes and Schemes in The Garden of Eloquence [Henry] Peacham [in The Garden of Eloquence, 1577] divides his treatment of figurative language into tropes and schemes, the difference being that in the Trope there is a chaunge of signifycation, but not in the Scheme (sig. E1v). Tropes are further divided into tropes of words and sentences, and schemes are also divided into grammatical and rhetorical schemes. Grammatical schemes deviate from customs of speaking and writing and are subdivided into orthographical and syntactical schemes. Rhetorical schemes add distinction and doe take away the wearinesse of our common and dayly speach, and doe fashion a pleasant, sharpe, evident and gallant kinde of speaking, giving unto matters great strength, perspecuitie and grace (sig. H4v). Rhetorical schemes apply to words, sentences and amplification. (Grant M. Boswell, Henry Peacham. Encyclopedia of Rhetoric and Composition: Communication From Ancient Times to the Information Age, ed. by Theresa Enos. Routledge, 2010) Etymology From the Greek schema   , form, shape Pronunciation: SKEEM Also Known As: figure