1. Terms Related to Literary Devices and Patterns of Development

Analogy

A comparison of two unlike subjects. Used to explain a topic that may be familiar to readers. Ex. Life is like a box of chocolates.

Analysis

Pattern of development that involves dividing a subject into its component parts and examining the parts. Crucial part of critical thinking. Ex. Anatomy of a newspaper.

Spatial organization

Shows reader where things are in relation to other things. Works well when writer wishes to create a mental picture of something. Movement usually parallels the way we look at things (top to bottom, side to side)

Chronological organization

Writing that is in order of the occurrence in time of events. Can be used to explain a process or analyze an event by dividing it into periods. Topics of a historic nature are best organized using this pattern.

Structural organization

Divides a subject into its parts, types, elements, and shows how these subdivisions are related to each other. The different parts, types, and elements of the subject form a whole. Ex. analyzing the structure of an atom.

Process analysis

A method of paragraph/essay development where the writer explains step by step how something is done or how to do something. Ex: how a plant grows. It can be informative (how something works) or directive (how to do something)

Definition

Literary device that deeply examines a word or a concept. Specifies the characteristics that distinguish the subject from other members of its class. An author might include this for a complex concept or idea.

Comparison and contrast

Pattern of development that analyzes the similarities and differences between subjects. It can compare ideas, objects, people, places, etc. Ex: similarities and differences between two political parties

Cause and effect

Explains why something happened and its consequences. Particularly powerful when writer provides the relationship between these both terms that reader wasn't expecting; makes reader see things in a new light.

General to specific

Scheme where topic sentence comes first and the following sentences become specific. Used in paragraphs to achieve a certain emphasis on something. More common than the opposite.

Specific to general

The elements of a paragraph build to general conclusions. Less common than the opposite. Thesis placed towards the end.

Abstract to concrete

The first kind of writing/language refers more to intangible characteristics such as mood, tone, and feelings. The second kind of writing refers more to physical, tangible detail. Switching back and forth in an essay loses it's effect.

Problem-Solution

Introduces an issue and then proposes or explains a way to deal with it. Ex: legal drinking age causes problems, lowering age would solve these problems. A type of argumentative writing.

Countering the opposition

Stating a strong argument of one's opponent and then refuting it with logical and/or ethical reasons. Used to support one's own argument in their writing. Ex. "Dogs are better than cats because they are more fun and loyal". Refuting this by saying that cats are better because cats are cleaner and more independent.

Question-Answer

Organizational structure of text where a question is posed/asked and then answered. The answer in ones writing is backed up by reasons, facts, logic, examples. Effectively used to lead into an argument.

Classification

Involves sorting many things into groups based on their similarities. All the members in a group must share at least one similarity. For example, we can assign people into groups based on salary.

Description

The sensory qualities of a person, place, thing or feeling. Sometimes its subjective meaning is influenced by personal feelings or opinions. Ex: The air outside was cold and crisp.

Narration

Retells a significant sequence of events, usually in the order of their occurrence (chronologically). It focuses on certain important events rather than background events. Sometimes events are rearranged to create a flashback to past events.

Illustration

The supplying of detailed examples or reasons. Examples and reasons used to develop and support an idea. Enables writers not to just tell but show what they mean.

Parallelism

The use of similar grammatical structures or similar elements of meaning within a sentence or sentences. Used to link sentences to each other which can help ensure continuity within a paragraph. Used to make writing concise and easy to follow.

Repetition of key terms

Literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times. Used to make an idea clearer and more memorable. Also used to connect sentences within a paragraph. Emphasizes the repeated word in the readers mind.

Shift in perspective, person or tone

Shifting from first (I), second (you), and third (he/she/it) person. This can happen throughout a work as the narrator's perspective changes, or as the plot becomes more complex. They're used to make the reader feel a series of different emotions and can make the writing exciting.

Climactic organization

The arrangement of details or ideas in order of increasing importance to reach a climax. It leaves readers with the most important point/event freshest in their minds. It can also create suspense and hold the readers attention.

Anecdote

A short story about a real person or events. This writing usually serves to make the listeners laugh or ponder about a topic. Ex: A story about my first day of high school

Irony

A figure of speech used to express something other than and especially opposite of the literal meaning. Ex: saying "great weather" while it's storming. Often used to create humor

Aporia

Questioning oneself (or rhetorically asking the audience). Being in doubt. Ex: "to be or not to be, that is the question?" Sometimes answered by the writer but can also be left unanswered or answered by the reader.

Affect/Pathos

An appeal made to an audience's emotions in order to evoke feeling. Ex: "Your donation might help this puppy get off the street!" in a promotional poster for adoption. Often used in persuasive writing. An example of rhetoric language

"On the one hand... On the other..."

These are construction signals that incorporate evidence from two rival positions in one matter.

tonal ambiguity

Something having a double sided nature because of intonation, word use, ... possibly causing confusion