Written, multimodal and visual devices

Imperative

a command

Tricolon

group of three similar words, phrases, clauses, ideas

diacope

repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of neighbouring words

anaphora

a word or expression is repeated at the beginning of multiple sentences, clauses or phrases

prolepsis

when the speaker has anticipated and answered possible objections in rhetorical speech

polyptoton

repetition of the same root word in multiple forms

polysendeton

multiple reptitions of the same conjunction

Visual narrative

using a static but vivid image to create a narrative in the viewer’s mind

irony

when the writer knowingly sets up a contrast between expectation and reality

satire

a type of irony in which an individual or group’s shortcomings are ridiculed, often with the intent of exposing or shaming the perceived flaws into improvement.

stichomythia

a technique where two characters speak quick, alternating lines of dialogue, helping to create tension or conflict

Anadiplosis

the last word/phrase of a clause/sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word/phrase at the end of a clause/sentence

Asyndeton

Deliberately omitting conjunctions

Metonymy

Referring to a concept by something associated with that concept, e.g. calling a salesperson a suit

Chiasmus

Repetition but reversal of the grammatical structure: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or “mankind must end war before war ends mankind”

Parallelism

Repetition of a grammatical structure: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” (this is also an antithetical statement so you could say that)