Rhetorical Devices Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Rhetorical Devices Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Rhetorical Devices Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library
Let’s go step by step to answer each question about George W. Bush’s quote and the rhetorical device he used.
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Quote:
> “Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
This is from his 2000 Inaugural Address.
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Look at this part:
> “When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
This refers to a famous story from the Bible — the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). In that story, a man is beaten and left half-dead on the road. Many people pass him by, but one stranger (a Samaritan) stops to help him.
Bush isn’t literally talking about a real wounded traveler on a road to Jericho. He’s using that story as a symbol for helping people in need — especially those suffering from poverty.
✔ So the rhetorical device is allusion.
An allusion is when you refer to something well-known (like a story, person, event, or book) without explaining it fully — because you expect your audience to already know it.
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Allusion = A brief reference to a person, place, thing, event, or work of art (often from history, literature, religion, or pop culture) that the speaker assumes the audience will recognize. It adds meaning without having to explain everything.
Example: Saying “He’s a real Romeo” means he’s romantic — referencing Shakespeare’s character.
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Allusions work because they tap into shared knowledge. Instead of saying “We should help poor people even if it’s hard,” Bush says “we won’t pass the wounded traveler on the road to Jericho.” That instantly brings up feelings of compassion, duty, and moral responsibility — because many people know the Bible story.
It makes the message stronger and more emotional — and shorter too!
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In this case, Bush is trying to inspire Americans to care about poverty. By alluding to the Good Samaritan story, he connects helping the poor with doing what’s morally right — like the good guy in the Bible story.
People who know the story feel moved to act kindly. Even people who don’t know the exact story might still get the idea: “Don’t ignore someone who’s hurting — help them.”
So the allusion helps make his promise (“we will not pass to the other side”) feel noble, timeless, and deeply human.
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Original:
> “When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
Rewritten without allusion:
> “When we see someone suffering from poverty or hardship, we will not ignore them — we will help them.”
What do we discover?
- The rewritten version is clear and direct.
- But it loses some power and emotion.
- The original feels more meaningful because it ties into a big moral story everyone knows.
- Without the allusion, it sounds more like a plain policy statement — less inspiring.
So while both say the same basic thing, the allusion makes it richer and more memorable.
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Final Answer:
1. Allusion
2. An allusion is a brief reference to something well-known (like a story, person, or event) that the audience is expected to recognize, used to add deeper meaning without explanation.
3. Allusions work by tapping into shared knowledge or emotions tied to familiar stories or ideas, making messages stronger and more relatable without needing long explanations.
4. Here, Bush uses the allusion to the Good Samaritan story to connect helping the poor with moral duty and compassion — making his promise feel noble and timeless.
5. Rewritten: “When we see someone suffering from poverty or hardship, we will not ignore them — we will help them.” Discovery: The rewritten version is clearer but less powerful; the allusion adds emotional depth and cultural resonance.
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Quote:
> “Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. And I can pledge our nation to a goal: When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
This is from his 2000 Inaugural Address.
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Step 1: What rhetorical device is Bush using?
Look at this part:
> “When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
This refers to a famous story from the Bible — the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). In that story, a man is beaten and left half-dead on the road. Many people pass him by, but one stranger (a Samaritan) stops to help him.
Bush isn’t literally talking about a real wounded traveler on a road to Jericho. He’s using that story as a symbol for helping people in need — especially those suffering from poverty.
✔ So the rhetorical device is allusion.
An allusion is when you refer to something well-known (like a story, person, event, or book) without explaining it fully — because you expect your audience to already know it.
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Step 2: Write a definition of this rhetorical device.
Allusion = A brief reference to a person, place, thing, event, or work of art (often from history, literature, religion, or pop culture) that the speaker assumes the audience will recognize. It adds meaning without having to explain everything.
Example: Saying “He’s a real Romeo” means he’s romantic — referencing Shakespeare’s character.
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Step 3: How/why does this rhetorical device work in general?
Allusions work because they tap into shared knowledge. Instead of saying “We should help poor people even if it’s hard,” Bush says “we won’t pass the wounded traveler on the road to Jericho.” That instantly brings up feelings of compassion, duty, and moral responsibility — because many people know the Bible story.
It makes the message stronger and more emotional — and shorter too!
---
Step 4: How/why does this rhetorical device work here in this quotation?
In this case, Bush is trying to inspire Americans to care about poverty. By alluding to the Good Samaritan story, he connects helping the poor with doing what’s morally right — like the good guy in the Bible story.
People who know the story feel moved to act kindly. Even people who don’t know the exact story might still get the idea: “Don’t ignore someone who’s hurting — help them.”
So the allusion helps make his promise (“we will not pass to the other side”) feel noble, timeless, and deeply human.
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Step 5: Can you rewrite Bush’s statement without this rhetorical device and get across the same point? Try it and see. Discuss what you discover.
Original:
> “When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side.”
Rewritten without allusion:
> “When we see someone suffering from poverty or hardship, we will not ignore them — we will help them.”
What do we discover?
- The rewritten version is clear and direct.
- But it loses some power and emotion.
- The original feels more meaningful because it ties into a big moral story everyone knows.
- Without the allusion, it sounds more like a plain policy statement — less inspiring.
So while both say the same basic thing, the allusion makes it richer and more memorable.
---
Final Answer:
1. Allusion
2. An allusion is a brief reference to something well-known (like a story, person, or event) that the audience is expected to recognize, used to add deeper meaning without explanation.
3. Allusions work by tapping into shared knowledge or emotions tied to familiar stories or ideas, making messages stronger and more relatable without needing long explanations.
4. Here, Bush uses the allusion to the Good Samaritan story to connect helping the poor with moral duty and compassion — making his promise feel noble and timeless.
5. Rewritten: “When we see someone suffering from poverty or hardship, we will not ignore them — we will help them.” Discovery: The rewritten version is clearer but less powerful; the allusion adds emotional depth and cultural resonance.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of literary devices worksheet pdf.
