Rhetorical and Literary Devices

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key rhetorical and literary terms discussed in the lecture notes.

Paradox

A seemingly self-contradictory statement that, upon reflection, reveals an underlying truth.

Allusion

A brief reference to a well-known person, event, text, or work of art to enrich meaning.

Euphemism

A mild or indirect expression substituted for one considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant.

Oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms for effect (e.g., "bittersweet").

Anecdote

A short, engaging story about a real incident or person, used to illustrate a point.

Exemplum

A short example or story that teaches a moral lesson or supports an argument.

Hyperbole

Deliberate and obvious exaggeration for emphasis or comic effect.

Irony

A contrast between expectation and reality, often highlighting discrepancy or producing humor.

Isocolon

Parallel structure in which successive phrases or clauses are identical in length and rhythm.

Anadiplosis

Repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next clause.

Analogy

An extended comparison showing similarities between two different things to aid understanding.

Anaphora

Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginnings of successive clauses or sentences.

Chiasmus

A rhetorical pattern in which the order of words or ideas is reversed in the second of two parallel phrases (ABBA).

Connotation

The emotional, cultural, or associative meaning of a word beyond its dictionary definition.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word, without its emotional associations.

Dichotomy

A division or contrast between two sharply opposed or mutually exclusive parts.

Epistrophe

Repetition of a word or phrase at the ends of successive clauses or sentences.

Juxtaposition

Placement of two ideas, images, or elements side by side to emphasize contrast or similarity.

Imagery

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates vivid mental pictures.

Metaphor

A direct, implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."

Motif

A recurring element—such as an image, phrase, or idea—that contributes to a work’s theme.

Mood

The overall emotional atmosphere or feeling evoked in the reader by a text.

Personification

Attributing human qualities or actions to nonhuman objects or abstract ideas.

Simile

A comparison using "like" or "as" to highlight similarities between two unlike things.

Symbolism

The use of concrete objects, characters, or events to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Synesthesia

Describing one kind of sensory experience in terms of another (e.g., "loud colors").

Syntax

The arrangement and order of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through stylistic choices.

Understatement

Presenting something as less significant than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect.

Zeugma

A figure of speech in which one word governs two or more other words, often in different senses (e.g., "She broke his car and his heart").