ABSTRACT

As a prevalent phenomenon of language, rhetoric is applied to all kinds of articles. From the perspective of linguistics, rhetoric is a tool of language, which can strengthen the power of words. Taking Love Is a Fallacy as corpus and text analysis as research method, this research aims to analyze the rhetorical skills and their functions in Love Is a Fallacy. The result of the study shows that the rhetorical skills in Love Is a Fallacy can be classified into four types: phonetic, syntactic, semantic and logical rhetoric. Phonetic rhetoric is related to words’ pronunciation, which can make the article rhythmic, while syntactic rhetoric stresses the key point as well as achieves clear structure and thinking. Besides, semantic rhetoric makes the content vivid, strengthening the readability of the article. Finally, logical rhetoric has strong humorous effect, to some extent revealing the theme of the article. In a word, the rhetorical skills in Love Is a Fallacy are fantastic and effective. Through this study, the article Love Is a Fallacy can be better understood. It is also beneficial for us to foster literary appreciation ability and master different rhetorical skills. 

Key words: rhetorical skills; functional analysis; Love Is a Fallacy

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Need for the Present Study-1

1.2 Objective of the Present Study-1

1.3 Brief Introduction to Love Is a Fallacy-1

1.4 Overview of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Theoretical Studies on Rhetoric-3

2.1.1 Definitions of rhetoric-3

2.1.2 Classifications of rhetoric-3

2.1.3 Functions of rhetoric-4

2.2 Empirical Studies on Rhetoric-4

2.3 Summary-5

Chapter Three  METHODOLOGY-6

3.1 Research Question-6

3.2 Data Collection and Description-6

Chapter Four  RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS-7

4.1 Phonetic Rhetoric-7

4.1.1 Alliteration-7

4.1.2 Consonance-7

4.1.3 Summary-8

4.2 Syntactic Rhetoric-8

4.2.1 Repetition-8

4.2.2 Parallelism-10

4.2.3 Antithesis-10

4.2.4 Rhetorical question-11

4.2.5 Summary-12

4.3 Semantic Rhetoric-12

4.3.1 Simile-12

4.3.2 Metaphor-13

4.3.3 Metonymy-14

4.3.4 Synecdoche-15

4.3.5 Parody-15

4.3.6 Transferred epithet-16

4.3.7 Summary-16

4.4 Logical Rhetoric-16

4.4.1 Hyperbole-16

4.4.2 Understatement-17

4.4.3 Irony-18

4.4.4 Analogy-19

4.4.5 Summary-19

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-20

5.1 Summary of the Present Study-20

5.2 Limitations of the Study-20

5.3 Recommendations for Future Research-21

REFERENCES-22