Final answer:
The rhetorical strategy used in the sentence is ellipsis, which suggests a history without explicit details and influences the perception of the character named Ralph. It demonstrates an understanding of audience awareness and the subtle use of language to convey meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rhetorical strategy used in the sentence 'Ralph is telling the truth … this time.' is ellipsis. This device implies that there were previous instances when Ralph was not telling the truth, without stating it explicitly.
The use of ellipsis can create a sense of intrigue, sarcasm, or significance, depending on the context. In terms of rhetorical awareness, the writer demonstrates a grasp of manipulating the audience's perception by highlighting Ralph's history of truthfulness (or lack thereof) in a succinct manner.
Rhetorical strategies, such as ellipsis, are employed to achieve a particular effect or to enhance the impact of a writer's message on the audience. The writer's inclusion of '… this time' indicates a past context and leaves the audience to infer that Ralph's truthfulness may not be consistent, thus subtly influencing the audience's view of Ralph.
The rhetorical strategy used in the sentence 'Ralph is telling the truth . . . this time' is irony. Irony is a rhetorical strategy where words are used to convey a meaning that is the opposite of their literal meaning or to suggest a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.
In this case, the phrase 'this time' suggests that Ralph has a history of not telling the truth, which contradicts the statement that he is telling the truth. This creates a sense of irony and adds emphasis to the fact that Ralph's truthfulness is questionable.