Literary and Rhetorical Devices Pt II.

Paranthetical idea

Parentheses used to set an idea off from the text (almost considered to be an aside). Use sparingly for effect.

Parody

Work that closely imitates the style or content of a serious work with the aim of comic effect and/or ridicule (The simpsons or SNL often parodies famous works, people, and events).

Pedantic

Adjective that describes words, phrases, or a general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish (young sheldon).

Point of View

perspective story is told from

(Rhetorical mode) argumentation

used to prove an idea’s validity or point of view by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and ___(like persuasive writing

(Rhetorical mode) description

Used to create invent or visually represent a person, place, event, or action so the reader can picture it.

(Rhetorical mode) Narration

Used to tell a story/ an event or series of events, usually utilizes description

Rhetorical question / Erotesis

A question asked for effect, emphasis, or provocation

Satire

A work that reveals a critical attitude toward some elemnt of life for humorous effect, targets human vices and follies or social institutions and conventions, has three layers: serious on the surface, humorous upon discovering, and serious upon discovering the underlying point.

Cumulative sentence/Loose sentence

Independent clause comes first, followed by dependent clauses/phrases (ex: He doubted whether he could ever appear before an audience again, his confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration.) creates emphasis.

Periodic sentence

presents central meaning in the independent clause at the end, preceded by dependent clauses/phrases ("With low taxes, beautiful views, and a mild climate, this city is a great place to live,"), like inverse of cumulative sentence

Style

Choices in diction, tone, syntax, and other literary devices a writer makes on purpose or not

Symbol

a thing that represents or stands for something generally more abstract

Syntax

Way the author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences

Parallelism/Parallel Structure/Balanced sentences

Equal grammatical constructions near each other or repeats grammatical patterns. ("It is easier to get up on a bright, sunny day than on a dreary, rainy day")

Anaphora

Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or clauses in a row ("I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up... I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia)

Chiasmus/antimetabole

Same words used twice in succession, but the order is reversed the second time (When the going gets tough, the tough gets going).

Antithesis

Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses with parallel structure (It was the best of times, it was the worst of times).

Zuegma

Single word governs or modifies two or more others, but the meaning of the word changes for each of the words it governs or modifies (The butler killed the lights, and then the mistress).

Anadiplosis

Repetition of a word/words in successive so that the second clause starts with the same word that ended the previous one. (" The general became a slave. The slave became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor.) Builds emphasis and momentum, adds rhythm, and leads to climax/deeper understanding.

Epiphora/Epistrophe

Stylistic device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the ends of successive clauses (ex: Sweet Portia, if you did know to whom I gave the ring, If you did know for whom I gave the ring, And would conceive for what I gave the ring…)

tone

Stylistic means by which an author conveys his attitudes in a work (more intellectual than mood) and is created via deliberate use of language.

Understatement

Ironic minimizing of fact, presents something as less significant than it is for humorous effect)

Litotes

Form of understatement, where surface denial reinforces the underlying position and the __ either retain the understatement’s effect (Hitting that telephone pole certainly didn’t do your car any good) or intensifies (The flavors of mushrooms, herbs, and spices combine to make the dish not at all disagreeable) Kind of ironic, denial leads to more meaning.

Undertone

attitude that may exist under the apparent tone of the piece ( under a cheery surface, a work might have a threatening __)

(Rhetorical Mode)Exposition

used to explain and analyze info by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion

Exigence

An issue, problem or situation that causes or prompts someone to write or speak