Question

we watch and we hope as we see positive changes taking place. there are some, i know, in your society who fear that change will bring only disruption and discontinuity, who fear to embrace the hope of the future - sometimes it takes faith... but change would not mean rejection of the past. like a tree growing strong through the seasons, rooted in the earth and drawing life from the sun, so, too, positive change must be rooted in traditional values. - address at moscow state university, ronald reagan
what type of rhetorical device does reagan use in this passage?
what is the effect of the rhetorical device?

Explanation:

The passage uses "like a tree..." to compare change to a tree, which is a simile. This makes abstract change concrete and relatable.

Answer:

What type of rhetorical device does Reagan use in this passage? Simile.
What is the effect of the rhetorical device? It makes the abstract concept of change tangible by comparing it to a familiar natural phenomenon (a tree), aiding audience understanding.