Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of The Use Of Antithetical Statements On Attitude Change And Terminal Source Credibility Ratlings, Larry Newell Willis

Student Work

Style is the distinguishing factor which provides a speaker with a singular and unique identity (Carpenter & Seltzer, 1970). As such, the elements comprising "style” have been recognized and recommended by classical as well as contemporary rhetoricians. For example, Wilson and Arnold (1964, PP. 260-265) state that one such element of personal style is the broad category "figures of speech". These figures'of speech or stylistic devices are inclusive of but not limited to; parallel repetitions, inversions, and antitheses. Of these, antitheses are the focus of this empirical study.