rhetorical devices

alliteration

the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

allusion

A reference to another work of literature, person, or event

ambiguity

uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language

anadiplosis

repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause

chiasmus

A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally reversed

analogy

A similarity or comparison between two different things or the relationship between them.

anaphora

repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines

epistrophe

Repetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses

anecdote

A brief narrative that focuses on a particular incident or event.

antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

apostrophe

A figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love.

assonance

Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity

asyndenton

the omission or absence of a conjunction between parts of a sentence.

polysyndenton

The use of many conjunctions to slow the pace

climax

arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of increasing importance

connotation

the implied or associative meaning of a word

denotation

the literal meaning of a word

euphemism

An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant

dysphemism

A derogatory or unpleasant term used instead of a pleasant or neutral one

figurative language

Language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect or feeling.

hyperbole

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

understatement

A statement that says less than what is meant

imagery

a vivid description, appealing to one or more of the senses

verbal irony

A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant

situational irony

An outcome that turns out to be very different from what was expected

dramatic irony

when a reader is aware of something that a character isn't

jargon

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

juxtaposition

Placement of two things closely together to emphasize comparisons or contrasts

metaphor

a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it

onomataopoeia

the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

parallelism

Phrases or sentences of a similar construction/meaning placed side by side, balancing each other

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule.

personification

the giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea

pun

a humorous play on words

rhetoric

the art of using language effectively and persuasively

rhetorical devices

literary techniques used to heighten the effectiveness of expression

rhetorical strategy

The way an author organizes words, sentences, and overall argument in order to achieve a particular purpose

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

simile

A comparison of two unlike things using like or as

symbol

A thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract.

synecdoche

a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa

syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

tone

the general character or attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.