摘要
This paper analyzes the effect of rhetorical devices, such as irony, sarcasm, parody, hyperbole, pun, antonomasia, etc., in dialogues of the American TV series The Big Bang Theory （2007） with an aim to help improve English learners＇ awareness and appreciation of rhetorical means in English-based literary works. Instances are cited with the use of such rhetoric means in the dialogue transcriptions. It is discovered that integrated use of a variety of rhetorical devices is a significant means for vivid and impressive characterization in literature. Such an analysis is a rewarding journey on either an academic or entertainment basis, and a process of discovery and learning that may particularly be well-received with EFL （English as a Foreign Language） learners
