In rhetoric, a rhetorical device—also known as a persuasive or stylistic device—is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey meaning to a listener or reader, with the goal of persuading them to consider a topic from a particular point of view. These devices aim to make a position or argument more compelling by using language designed to evoke an emotional response or prompt action. They seek to make a position or argument more compelling than it would otherwise be.^{[page needed]}

Sonic devices depend on sound. Sonic rhetoric is used to communicate content more clearly or quickly. It delivers messages to the audience by prompting specific reactions through auditory perception.^{[page needed]}

Alliteration is the repetition of the sound of an initial consonant or consonant cluster in subsequent syllables.

Small showers last long but sudden storms are short.

— Shakespeare, Richard II 2.1

Assonance is the repetition of similar vowel sounds across neighbouring words.^{[page needed]}

Blow wind, swell billow and swim bark!

— Shakespeare, Julius Caesar 5.1