Learn English – the name of this rhetorical device involving the use of One. Word. Sentences. For. Effect

literary-techniquesphrase-requestsrhetorical-devicessingle-word-requests

I am trying to find the name for the rather recent, I think, rhetorical device of one-word sentences used for emphasis and effect.

For example:

Columnist Ruth Marcus, writing for the Washington Post, wrote this of Hillary Clinton's speaking fees:

“You don’t need any more! Just. Stop. Speaking. For. Pay.”

Columnist Michael Barone, writing in the Washington Examiner, wrote this about the chances of a contested Republican convention:

“I have bad news for those looking forward to a brokered convention. It. Isn’t. Going. To. Happen.”

Final example: Bob asks, "Are you ever going to stop using sentence fragments in your writing?"

Mary responds, "I. Don't. Think. So."

So, in the realm of rhetorical devices . . .

Repetition of a beginning word, phrase, or clause in consecutive sentences = Anaphora.

Insertion of conjunctions between every item in a series = Polysyndeton.

One. Word. Sentences. = ? ? ?

Can anyone help?


Footnote for anyone reading. From the related question, in terms of a search for the origin, really the best possibility which came to the fore was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_guy. Possibly 1997. But the origin is still totally unclear, unfortunately; CBG could have been referring to something from the 80s, say.

Best Answer

When every single word in a short phrase is punctuated by a period (full stop BrEng), what effect does this produce in the reader? He or she is forced to pause before moving onto the next word. So, yes, I would call this form of writing, and speaking a rhetorical device, because it creates an effect on the audience.

This (for want of a better expression) “period emphasis” is similar to how we might place a word, or short phrase in italics, bold, “scare quotes”, or in block capital letters, i.e. CAPS. Ultimately, in the quotations cited by the OP, the journalist's aim is to grab the reader's attention.

Punctuating a short phrase in this manner is an economical way of adding pathos, levity, and/or tension to any news or piece of communication. A way to highlight a moment of mock drama; e.g. Janice Litman from F.R.I.E.N.D.S and her catchphrase Oh. My. God!; extreme levity (Best. Party. Ever.) or even a powerful way to emit a threat (You. Will. Die).

What's it called?

All The Tropes has a page dedicated to Punctuated! For! Emphasis! and provides these examples from the Harry Potter series among many others from different movies and books

"Life. Isn't. Fair."
"Don't. Lie. To me."
"You. Don't. Know."
"Don't. Call. Me. A. Coward!"
"Mr. Potter... Our. New. Celebrity."

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