Rhetorical devices

Antithesis

Antithesis is one of the rhetorical devices used in Dwight Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” speech. Eisenhower uses antithesis to contrast the current state of the world with the future he presents: “My country wants to be constructive, not destructive. It wants agreements, not wars, among nations”. The antithesis helps reinforce Eisenhower’s message that a change must take place to bring the world closer to the peaceful future he imagines. 

In a similar way, he also uses antithesis to present the way atomic energy can be used to help those in areas where there is a lack of electricity: “Thus the contributing Powers would be dedicating some of their strength to serve the needs rather than the fears of mankind”. Here, Eisenhower shows ...