english metalanguage

Pleonasm

The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning for emphasis

Chiasmus

Where a sentence is repeated but in reverse order

Cumulation

Many similar words in a short space, giving weight to the idea being expressed

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence

Anapest

A metrical foot of three syllables, two short (or unstressed) followed by one long (or stressed), which typically creates rhythm or momentum

Dactyl

A three-syllable metrical foot with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables, typically creating a serious atmosphere

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language

Epistrophe

A word or phrase repeated at the end of consecutive lines

Undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece

Inclusive language

Using words such as us, we, you, our

Synthetic personalisation

The process of addressing mass audiences as though they were individuals through the use of inclusive language

Hyperbole

Completely overstating and exaggerating a point for effect

metonymy

In which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it

Synecdoche

In which the part stands for the whole, or the whole for a part

Testimonial

Using words of an expert, famous person, or regular guy to persuade others

Bandwagon

persuading people to do something by letting them know others are all doing it as well

Card stacking

Telling the facts for one side only

Hypophora

Where a question is asked and then immediately answered

Antithesis

The presentation of two contrasting ideas in a balanced sentence

Asyndeton

The omission of a conjunction from a series of related clauses

Polysendeton

Where several conjunctions are used to join connected clauses in places where they are not contextually necessary

Assonance

The repetition of similar vowel sounds

Consonance

Repetition of similar consonant sounds

Diction

The choice and arrangement of words

Litote

A positive is stated by negating its opposite

Cacophony

Discordant, rugged, or hard-sounded effets in prose or verse

Cliché

A boring phrase made tedious by frequent repetition, but often attempt to be clever but are undermined by constant use

Diatribe

A severely critical type of discourse, characterised by anger directed towards something or someone

Direct narration

A style of narration that tell a story

Indirect narration

A style of narration that shows a story

Nominalisation

Where a verb or a verb group is transformed into a noun

Reported speech

The narrator of a story summarises what other characters say

Semantic field

A group of words that are related or analogous in meaning, often connected with a particular context of use

Sensationalism

Language that appeals to emotions, exaggerating, over-hyping, and attracting attention to controversy