Figures of Speech 1 - Intro to Literary Research

anadiplosis

a literary device where the ending word or phrase of one sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next sentence, adding emphasis and a connection of ideas

anaphora

the repetition of a word or phrase in consecutive clauses which adds emphasis to the phrase or idea

anastrophe

the inversion or the usual order of words

antistrophe

the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses

antiphrasis

the use of a word or phrase in a meaning opposite to its literal sense, typically for irony or humor

antonomasia

a form of speech in which a descriptive phrase is used instead of a proper noun, or vice verse

aporia

an expression of doubt (real or pretended) for rhetorical effect - an indeterminacy of meaning

asyndeton

omission of the usual conjunctions between words or clauses

auxesis

listing things in order of importance, the list starts from least important to most important

brachiologia/brachylogia

leaving out words to shorten an expression

chiasmus

order of terms first of two parallel clauses, reversed in second clause, may involve repetition of words or a reversed parallel of ideas

epistrophe

same word or phrase repeated at the end of successive clauses, sentences, or lines

euphemism

figurative language designed to replace phrasing that would be considered harsh or unpleasant

hyperbaton

a rhetorical device in which the typical, natural order of words is changed by certain words being moved out of order

hyperbole

exaggeration for the sake of emphasis in a figure of speech and not meant literally

isocolon

repeats grammatical structures in phrases, clauses, or sentences

litotes

a figure of speech that involves understatement by means of double negatives (stating something positive by negating its contrary;) adds complexity by making them less direct, but still conveying the intended meaning

metonymy

literary term where one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it has a close association; enhances literary language by allowing writers to use related words in order to evoke particular contexts or ideas, contributes to imagery

optatio

used to convey a hope or plea in a dramatic way, usually beginning with “oh” or “would”

oxymoron

when two words with contradictory meanings are intentionally placed next to each other to create meaning

parataxis

the placing of clauses or phrases one after another without words to indicate coordination or subordination

personification

when animals, abstract ideas, or inanimate objects are given human characteristics

polysyndeton

repetition of a conjunction in a sentence (and, for, nor, yet, but, or, so) example: we did X and Y and Z and R and A and B and C. (repetition of “and”)

syllepsis

when a word is understood differently in relation to two or more words which it modifies example: She lost her wallet and her dignity

synecdoche

referring to something indirectly, naming only part of it

tautology

repeats the same idea by different synonyms or synonymous phrases to refer ti the idea

trope

the use of different figures of speech past their literal meaning to convey a clear image

zeugma

the use of one word that applies to two or more words in the same sentence