Rhetorical Devices and Literary Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering 25 common rhetorical devices, literary techniques, and stylistic terms along with their definitions.

Anaphora

Repeating words at the beginning of sentences or phrases.

Epistrophe

Repeating words at the end of sentences or phrases.

Antithesis

Putting opposite ideas together for contrast.

Chiasmus

Reversing the order of words or ideas.

Asyndeton

Leaving out conjunctions (and, or, but).

Polysyndeton

Using extra conjunctions (and, or, but).

Euphemism

A nicer way of saying something unpleasant.

Amplification

Expanding an idea with extra details for emphasis.

Apostrophe

Directly addressing someone absent or something nonhuman.

Zeugma

One word connects two different ideas in a sentence.

Litotes

Using a negative to express a positive.

Absolute

A statement that allows no exceptions or disagreement.

Paradox

A statement that seems contradictory but has truth.

Syllogism

Using two premises to reach a logical conclusion.

Apophasis

Bringing something up by claiming you won't mention it.

Hypophora

Asking a question and immediately answering it.

Jargon

Specialized language used by a specific profession or group.

Vernacular

Everyday language used by a particular community.

Aporia

Expressing doubt or uncertainty.

Colloquialism

Informal words or expressions used in everyday conversation.

Synecdoche

A part represents the whole, or the whole represents a part.

Metonymy

Using something related to represent something else.

Understatement

Making something seem less important than it really is.

Irony

When what's expected is different from what actually happens or is meant.

Anecdote

A short personal story used to make a point.