C & C English Rhetorical Devices

Anadiplosis

A form of repetition in which the last word of a sentence is repeated as the first word of the following sentence.

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis

Antiprosopopoeia

The representation of people in inanimate objects. The inversion of personification can simply be the use of a metaphor to depict or describe a person. (He's a tank)

Aphorism

A brief saying or phrase that expresses a universal opinion or makes a statement of wisdom. (Actions speak louder than words)

Apophasis

When the speaker or writer brings up a subject by either denying it or denying that it should be brought up. (passive aggressive)

Asyndeton

Conjunctions are taken out in a series of words, phrases or clauses. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)

Ambiguity

Use of language in which multiple meanings are possible

Anachronism

Use of historically inaccurate details in a text

Analogy

A comparison between two similar things, typically using figurative language

Anecdote

A brief story told to express one's personal experience or perspective

Apostrophe

Occurs when a writer or speaker directly addresses an absent person, concept, or inanimate object

Chiasmus

Two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structures in order to produce an artistic effect

Denotation

Dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

What is implied by a word; used to express

Diction

An author's choice of words to convey a tone or effect

Deduction

Form of logic from general to specific

Induction

Form of logic from specific to general

Euphemism

Substitution of a milder or less direct expression for one that is harsh or blunt

Ellipsis

Taking out a word or series of words 1.(...) 2.An appropriate elimination of words that are mutually understood and thus unnecessary

Epistrophe

Repetition of phrases or words at the end of clauses/sentences

Expeditio

After listing all possibilities by which something could have occurred/by which someone did something, the speaker eliminates all but one

Hypophora

When a writer raises a question and then immediately provides an answer to that question

Idiom

A phrase whose meaning can't be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words in it

Litote

An understatement in which a statement is expressed by negating it's opposite

Nostalgia

Desire to return in thought or fact to a former time

Otomotopia

A word describing sounds

Polysyndeton

When conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used repeatedly in quick succession, often with no commas, even when conjunctions can be removed

Pun

Humorously using words with multiple meanings or similar sounds for wordplay

Sytax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language; used to sound more sophisticated or relatable

Transition Words

Words or devices that bring unity to a piece of writing

Zeugma

When a word (usually verb) applies to multiple nouns or adjectives, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas (John and his license expired last week)