Rhetorical Devices and Figures of Speech

These flashcards cover various rhetorical devices and figures of speech as outlined in the lecture notes, providing definitions and explanations for better understanding.

Assonance

A figure of speech in which the same vowel sound repeats within a group of words.

• Example: "Who gave Newt and Scooter

  the blue tuna? It was too soon!"

Asyndeton

The omission of a conjunction between parts of a sentence, used to speed up rhythm and create emphasis.

• Example: "I came, I saw, I conquered."

Consonance

A literary device that repeats consonant sounds within nearby words to create rhythm and flow.

• Example: -jump through a hoop

-Zach sneezed when he heard jazz music

Allegory

A narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a meaning with moral or political significance.

• Example: Orwell's Animal Farm representing the Russian Revolution

Parallelism

The state of corresponding in grammatical structure, used to make writing more concise and impactful.

• Example: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me

Oxymoron

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction to create a surprising or thought-provoking effect.

• Example: -deafening silence

  -organized chaos

  -cruel kindness

  -minor crisis

Metonymy

A rhetorical device where a word or phrase is substituted for another that is closely related or associated with it.

• Example: -“Hollywood” referring to the

  film industry

  -“Suits” referring to

  businesspeople

  -“The press” referring to the

  media

Onomatopoeia

The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it, creating vivid imagery.

• Example: -Buzz / whoosh

  -Hiss / hiccup

  -Crack / pow

Synecdoche

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole, creating more vivid imagery.

• Example: ”wheels” when talking about a

  car

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas, emotions, or concepts beyond their literal meaning.

• Example: A dove represents peace

Paradox

A statement or situation that seems to contradict itself, prompting deeper thought about an idea.

• Example: “Less is more”

Dichotomy

A literary technique that divides something into two completely opposite or contrasting parts.

• Example: -Good vs. Evil

  -Light vs. Darkness

Juxtaposition

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

• Example: All's fair in love and war

Aphorism

A brief statement that expresses a general truth or principle about life.

Example: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” –

Albert Einstein

Utopia

An imagined perfect world used to critique society and highlight present flaws.

Example: -”In a world where everyone was treated equally, everyone had a chance at success and stability etc….

”

-For example “Nosedive”, a black mirror episode.