literature devices

alliteration

Repetition of the same sound beginning several words in sequence example: “Titus the tailor told two tales two tales to Titania and timouse”

anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines example: “This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, This earth majesty, this seat of Mars.”

Aposiopesis

A form of ellipse by which a speaker comes to an abrupt halt, seemingly overcome by passion or modesty. Example: “If I get ahold of you, I’ll”

chiasmus

Two corresponding pairs arranged not in parallels but in inverted order from the shape of the Greek letter chi (X). Example: “In peace sons bury their fathers, but in war fathers bury their sons.”

climax

Arrangement of words, phrases, or clauses in an order of ascending power. Often the last emphatic word in one phrase or clause is repeated as the first emphatic word of the next. Example: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity these three: but the greatest of these is charity.”

Erotema

A rhetorical question. To affirm or deny a point strongly by asking a question. Example: “If everyone else were jumping off of a cliff would you do it too?”

Hyperbole

Exaggeration for emphasis or for rhetorical effect. Example: “That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

Irony

Expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. Example: The Jews said of Christ; “Hail, King of the Jews.”

Litotes

Understatement, for intensification, by denying the contrary of the thing being affirmed. Example: “This is no small matter.”

Metaphor

Implied comparison achieved through a figurative use of words; the word is used not in it literal sense, but in one analogous to it. Example: “No man is an island.”

Pleonasm

Use of superfluous or redundant words, often enriching the thought. Example: “I saw it with my very own eyes!”

Praeteritio

Pretended omission for rhetorical effect. Example: “I saw it with my very own eyes.”

Prolepsis

Speaking of something future as though already done or existing. A figure of anticipation. Example: “I’m a dead man!”

Simile

An explicit comparison between two things using ‘like” or ‘as.’ Example: They stood as thick upon the flowers bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer.”

Tricolon

Three parallel elements of the same length occurring together in a series. Example: “Veni, vidi, vici.”