IB English A Langlit Paper 1: Stylistic Devices

Allegory

A literary work where characters and events symbolize deeper moral or spiritual meanings. In an article, this conveys profound thematic lessons and allows the author to critique societal values through a metaphorical lens.

Allegory

A literary work where characters and events symbolize deeper moral or spiritual meanings. In an article, this conveys profound thematic lessons and allows the author to critique societal values through a metaphorical lens.

Ambiguity

An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way

Anachronism

something or someone out of place in terms of historical or chronological context

Analogy

Illustrating the subject under discussion by making a parallel comparison

Anaphora

Repetition of the same word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases to create emphasis

Anecdote

A short account of a particular situation or incident

Anthropomorphism

Attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate object

Antithesis

A figure of speech in which a thought is balanced with a contrasting thought

Apostrophe

Where a speaker addresses a person or object that is no longer alive

Archaism

Intentional use of a word or expression no longer used to evoke a sense of bygone era.

Bias

Promoting on specific point of view in a text and deliberately excluding others.

Cacophony

Denotes harsh, jarring noise

Cliché

A stereotypical expression which is overused

Connotation

Suggestion of a word meaning beyond what it explicitly denotes

Denotation

The dictionary definition of a word

Diction

Choice of words

Ellipsis

The omission of words necessary to complete a sentence (... and -) used for dramatic effect, tension , confusion, etc.

Enumeration

Listing items in order.

Euphemism

A word or phrase that is used in place of a more direct term that might be offensive

Euphony

Denotes pleasant, harmonious sound.

Exposition

Where an author interrupts a story in order to explain something

Figurative speech

Any use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal meaning of the words themselves

eg. metaphor, simile, personification, irony.

Hyperbole

an extreme exaggeration

Hypophora

Asking a question and answering it

Imagery

Words that create a picture in the reader's mind

Irony

A literary device that uses contradicting statements or situations to reveal a reality different from what appears to be true

Oxymoron

Two apparently contradicting terms

Paradox

A statement that appears self-contradictory, but that revels a kind of truth

Parallelism

Use of similar or identical language, structure, events or ideas in different parts of a text.

atire

The ridicule of something the writer dislikes

Sensationalize

Describing something in an exaggerated way to shock and engage the reader

Syntax

Arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences

Tricolon

Sentence of three parts of equal importance and length, usually three independent clauses

Understatement

A statement that says less than what is meant

logical fallacy