Schemes and Tropes

Parallelism

Repetition of grammatical structure in a series of related words, phrases, or clauses. Makes sentences feel structured and intentional.

Ex. She wanted to succeed, to grow, and to inspire.

Isocolon

A form of parallelism where the elements are not only grammatically similar but also equal in length and rhythm.It creates a balanced and rhythmic flow, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the writing. Symetry

Ex. Veni, vidi, vici

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of opposing or contrasting ideas in a balanced structure. Emphasizes differences and contradictions.

Ex. To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Anastrophe

Inversion of the normal word order. Adding emphasis and creating poetic effect.

Ex. Into the forest went she.

Parenthesis

Insertion of extra information or an aside using dashes or parentheses. Adds, voice, detail, and commentary.

Ex. He team captain—who had never played professionally—led them to victory.

Ellipsis

Omission of words that are implied or understood from the context.

Ex.

Asydeton

Omission of conjunctions between clauses or phrases. Speeds up the rhythm and adds urgency.

Ex. He ran, jumped, shouted, danced.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word o phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Emphasizes a central idea.

Ex. Every day, every night, every moment, I think of you.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word o phrase at the end of successive clauses. Reinforces a point.

Ex. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Enpanalepsis

Repetition of the same word at the beginning and end of a sentence.

Fares an idea, adds emphasis.

Ex. The king is dead, long live the king.

Polysyndeton

Use of many conjunctions between words or clauses. Slows rhythm, adds overwhelming tone.

Ex. He laughed and cried and screamed and ran.

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next. Creates flow.

Ex. Fear leads to anger, Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Cimax

Ideas are arranged in order of increasing importance or intensity.

Ex. He lost his keys, his job, and his mind.

Antimetabole

Repetition of words in reverse grammatical order. Highlights contrast or balance.

Ex. You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.

Synechoche

A part is used to represent the whole, or vice versa.

Ex. All hands on deck. Hands = people.

Focuses on a part to imply the whole.

Antanaclasis

Repetition of a word with a different meaning.

Same word, different meaning.

Paranomasia

Pun or word play. Alike in sound, different in meaning.

Periphrasis

Using a longer phrase instead or a simple word.

Elongated yellow fruit instead of banana.

Litotes

An understatement.

Epithet

A descriptive word or phrase expressing a quality of a person/thing.

Ex. Swift footed Achilles.