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Syntax
The set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language, determining how words and phrases are arranged.
Example: English syntax follows the order of subject, verb, then object. For example, she ate the apple.
Scheme
A structured plan or system designed to achieve a specific goal, or in linguistics, it refers to a pattern or structure of language elements in a sentence
Example: Parallelism, “she likes reading, writing, and drawing”
Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words in a sentence or phrase.
Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Antithesis
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or phrases in a balanced structure to highlight their differences.
Example: The song lyric, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
Assonance
The repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, typically in a line or sentence, to create a melodic effect
Example: The cat sat on the mat wearing a hat
Consonance
The repetition of consonant sounds, typically at the end or middle of words, in close proximity to create a pleasing effect
Example: The lumpy, bumpy road
Anaphora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis or effect.
Example: MLK’s “I Have a Dream Speech” repeats that phrase throughout
Anadiplosis
Rhetorical device in which the last word or phrase of one clause or sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next clause or sentence
Example: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate.
Antimetabole
A rhetorical device in which words or phrases are repeated in reverse order to create emphasis or highlight contrast
Example: JFK’s quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."
Asyndeton
A rhetorical device where conjunctions (like "and," "but," or "or") are deliberately omitted from a series of related clauses to create a sense of speed or urgency
Example: Julius Caesar’s quote: "I came, I saw, I conquered."
Polysyndeton
A rhetorical device in which several conjunctions (such as "and," "or," "but") are used in close succession, often with no commas, to slow down the rhythm or create a sense of abundance or overwhelming detail.
Example: We have cake and flowers and presents and streamers
Chiasmus
A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by reversing their structure, often creating a mirror image for emphasis or contrast.
Example: “Never be so kind you forget to be clever and never be so clever you forget to be kind”
Contradiction
When two statements or ideas are in direct opposition to each other, such that both cannot be true at the same time
Example: Saying “I always lie”
Epistrophe
A rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive clauses or sentences to emphasize a point
Example: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
Epanalepsis
A rhetorical device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at both the beginning and the end of a sentence or clause, creating a sense of emphasis or closure
Example: “A king is born, long live the King!”
Expletive
A word or phrase, often an interjection or a filler word, that does not add significant meaning to a sentence but serves to emphasize or convey emotion, or sometimes simply to fill space in speech.
Example: Saying “oh, really?” (oh is the filler word because it doesn’t add meaning)
Inversion
A rhetorical device in which the normal order of words in a sentence is reversed, often for emphasis or stylistic effect.
Example: Quote from Star Wars: “"Powerful you have become; the dark side I sense in you.”
Juxtaposition
A literary and rhetorical device where two or more elements (such as ideas, characters, actions, or settings) are placed side by side to highlight their contrasts or differences.
Example: “The bright lights of the city illuminated the darkness of the alley”
Parallelism
Rhetorical device in which parts of a sentence or several sentences are structured in a similar way to create a sense of balance, rhythm, or emphasis
Example: “She loves reading, writing, and speaking”
Symploce
A rhetorical device that combines both anaphora and epistrophe—the repetition of a word or phrase at both the beginning and the end of successive clauses or sentences
Example: "I am not afraid of the darkness, but I am afraid of the light; I am not afraid of the silence, but I am afraid of the sound" (repetition of “I am not afraid” and “of the”)
Repetition
A rhetorical device where a word, phrase, or idea is repeated for emphasis or effect
Example: MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech repeats that phrase often
Zeugma
Rhetorical device in which a single word (usually a verb or adjective) governs or modifies two or more words, although these words typically would not be linked together in a literal sense.
Example: They stole my wallet and my heart
Sentence
A group of words that expresses a complete thought, containing at least a subject and a predicate (verb).
Example: The bird watched the dog.
Simple sentence
A sentence that consists of just one independent clause, with a subject and a predicate, and expresses a complete thought.
Example: I run everyday.
Complex sentence
A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent (or subordinate) clause, which cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Example: Even though we didn’t want to go, we still went to practice in the pouring rain.
Compound sentence
A sentence that contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet) or a semicolon.
Example: I wanted to go running, but it was snowing.
Compound-complex sentences
A sentence that has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent (or subordinate) clause.
Example: Although they were tired, the students did their work, and they stayed up until it was all finished.
Cumulative sentence
A sentence that begins with a main clause (or independent clause) and then adds extra details or information at the end, often through subordinate clauses or phrases.
Example: I went to the bookstore, bought a coffee, and read a book, feeling completely at peace."
Delayed sentence
A sentence in which the main idea or independent clause is placed at the end, after a series of subordinate clauses or phrases that build suspense or add details.
Example: “In the silence of the night, while everyone was sleeping, Santa slipped down the chimney.”
Hortative sentence
A sentence that urges, advises, or encourages someone to take action. It is often used to give a call to action.
Example: “Let’s get inside before it starts to rain.”
Imperative sentence
A sentence that gives a command, request, or direction. It often has an implied subject (usually "you").
Example: “Please leave a donut for your sister.”
Periodic sentence
A sentence in which the main idea or independent clause is withheld until the end, creating suspense or emphasis. Similar to a delayed sentence, but a periodic sentence uses more suspense.
Example: Despite the cold temperatures, strong winds, and lack of sunlight, we kept racing.
Gerund
A verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun in a sentence. It can act as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
Example: Running is fun and good for your health.
Nominalization
The process of turning a verb, adjective, or adverb into a noun. This transformation can make a sentence more formal or abstract.
Example: Turning the verb “decide” into a noun: “She made a decision.”
Root
The base form of a word from which other words are derived by adding prefixes, suffixes, or other modifications. It carries the primary meaning of the word and cannot be further broken down into smaller parts.
Example: The root of transportation is “port,” which means to carry.
Stem
The base form of a word that can take affixes (prefixes or suffixes) to form new words. The stem may not always be a complete word on its own, but it carries the core meaning and serves as the foundation for word formation.
Example: The stem of “happiness” is “happy.”
Modifier
A word, phrase, or clause that provides additional information about another word or phrase in a sentence, typically describing, limiting, or clarifying it. They can be adjectives or adverbs.
Example: The tall man (tall is an adjective and a modifier)
Passive voice
A grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. In a passive voice sentence, the object of an action becomes the subject of the sentence.
Example: “The meal was cooked by the chef.”
Active voice
A grammatical construction in which the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. In active voice, the subject does the action and the object receives the action.
Example: “The chef cooked the meal.”
