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ANASTROPHE
Inversion of the usual, normal, or logical order of the parts of a
sentence. Purpose is rhythm or emphasis or euphony. It is a fancy word for inversion.
ANTIMETABOLE
Repetition of words in successive clauses in reverse grammatical
order. Moliere: “One should eat to live, not live to eat.” In poetry, this is called chiasmus.
ANTITHESIS
Balancing words, phrases, or ideas that are strongly contrasted, often by means of grammatical structure.
ANTHROPOMORPHISM
attributing human characteristics to an animal or inanimate
object (Personification)
APHORISM
brief, cleverly worded statement that makes a wise observation about life, or of a principle or accepted general truth. Also called maxim, epigram.
APOSTROPHE
calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person, or to a place or
thing, or a personified abstract idea. If the character is asking a god or goddess for inspiration it is called an invocation.
APPOSITION
Placing in immediately succeeding order of two or more coordinate
elements, the latter of which is an explanation, qualification, or modification of the first (often set by a colon)
ASSONANCE
the repetition of similar vowel sounds followed by different consonant sounds especially in words that are together.
ASYNDETON
removal of conjuctions; X,Y,Z, not X,Y, and Z
CONCEIT
an elaborate metaphor that compares two things that are startlingly different. Often an extended metaphor.
DIDACTIC
form of fiction or nonfiction that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
ELEGY
a poem of mourning, usually about someone who has died.
EPANALEPSIS
device of repetition in which the same expression (single word or
phrase) is repeated both at the beginning and at the end of the line, clause, or sentence. Voltaire: “Common sense is not so common.”
EPIGRAPH
a quotation or aphorism at the beginning of a literary work suggestive of the theme.
EPISTROPHE
Device of repetition in which the same expression (single word or phrase) is repeated at the end of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences (it is the opposite of anaphora).
EPITHET
an adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing that is frequently used to emphasize a characteristic quality. “Father of our country” and “the great Emancipator” are examples.
HYPOTACTIC
Logical connection of clauses; “I am tired because it is hot.”
LITOTES
“He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed,” “it’s not a bad idea.”
METONYMY
a figure of speech in which a person, place, or thing, is referred to by something closely associated with it. “We requested from the crown support for our petition.” The crown is used to represent the monarch.
PARABLE
Short story that teaches how to live a good life.
POLYSYNDETON
Only clauses + ommision of commas. X and Y and Z, not X, Y, and Z.
QUATRAIN
4 Line Poem
SYNECDOCHE
a figure of speech in which a part represents the whole. “If you don’t drive properly, you will lose your wheels.” The wheels represent the entire car.
