Literary Terms - Palin

Euphemism

Definition: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
Example: "Passed away" instead of "died."

Anaphora

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
Example: "I have a dream" in Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech.

Epistrophe

Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses.
Example: "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

Chiasmus

Definition: A rhetorical device in which words or concepts are repeated in reverse order.
Example: "Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You."

Syllogism

Definition: A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two premises.
Example: "All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal."

Anastrophe

Definition: The inversion of the usual order of words or phrases.
Example: "In the night sky shimmered the stars."

Asyndeton

Definition: The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence.
Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Polysyndeton

Definition: The use of several conjunctions in close succession.
Example: "We have ships and men and money and stores."

Invective

Definition: Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.
Example: "You are the most insufferable person I have ever met!"

Jargon

Definition: Specialized or technical language used by a particular group.
Example: "In the medical field, terms like 'hypertension' and 'myocardial infarction' are common."

Anadiplosis

Definition: The repetition of the last word of a preceding clause.
Example: "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

Metonymy

Definition: A figure of speech in which one thing is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it.
Example: "The pen is mightier than the sword."

Synecdoche

Definition: A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.
Example: "All hands on deck" (hands representing sailors).

Portmanteau

Definition: A word that combines the sounds and meanings of two different words.
Example: "Brunch" (breakfast + lunch).

Synesthesia

Definition: A literary device that describes one sense in terms of another.
Example: "The sound of her voice was sweet."

Sibilance

Definition: A manner of articulation characterized by a hissing sound.
Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."

Cacophony

Definition: A harsh or discordant mixture of sounds.
Example: "The clash of cymbals and the blaring horns created a cacophony."

Euphony

Definition: A pleasing or sweet sound, often created by harmonious combinations of words.
Example: "The lulling sound of the brook."

Paradox

Definition: a statement that seems contradictory at first glance, but later makes sense.

Examples: Less is more. The more money you make, the unhappier you are.