English Literary Devices and Rhetorical Modes for Analyzing Texts

narration

An account of events as they happen. A narrative organizes material on the basis of chronological order or pattern, stressing the sequence of events and pacing these events according to the emphasis desired.

oxymoron

From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp" and "cruel kindness."

pacing

The speed at which a piece of writing moves along. Pacing depends on the balance between summarizing action and representing action in detail. Syntax can also affect pacing.

paradox

A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. The first scene of Macbeth, for example, closes with the witches' cryptic remark "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

parallelism

The principle of coherent writing requiring that coordinating elements be given the same grammatical form, as in Daniel Webster's dictum, "I was born an American; I will live an American; I will die an American."

parody

A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. As comedy, parody distorts or exaggerates distinctive features of the original. As ridicule, it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words, phrases, or characteristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the original.

personification

Attributing human qualities to objects, abstractions, or animals: "'Tis beauty calls and glory leads the way."

point of view

The perspective from which a piece of writing is developed. In nonfiction the point of view is usually the author's. In fiction the point of view can be first- or third-person point of view. In the first-person point of view, the author becomes part of the narration and refers to himself as "I." In the third-person point of view the narrator simply observes the action of the story.

rhetoric

The art of using persuasive language.

rhetorical modes

This flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.

exposition

The purpose of exposition (or expository writing) is to explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.

argumentation

The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.

persuasive writing

Persuasive writing is a type of argumentation having an additional aim of urging some form of action.

description

The purpose of description is to re-create, invent, or visually present a person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that being described.

modes of discourse

These four writing modes (exposition, argumentation, description, and narration) are sometimes referred to as modes of discourse.

simile

A figure of speech which, like the metaphor, implies a similarity between things otherwise dissimilar, always using the words like, as, or so to introduce the comparison.

slanting

The characteristic of selecting facts, words, or emphasis to achieve a preconceived intent.

style

The way a writer writes, expressing an author's individuality through the use of words, sentence patterns, and selection of details.

tone

The tone of a particular work can be due in part to a writer's style.

James Baldwin's style

James Baldwin is known for his highly rhetorical style, mixing formal, sometimes biblical, language and a more conversational style.

advice to fledgling writers

Develop a style that combines sincerity with clarity.

descriptive writing

Good descriptive writing can be sensuous and picturesque, and may be straightforward and objective or highly emotional and subjective.

tools of descriptive writing

Narration frequently uses the tools of descriptive writing.

senses in description

Sometimes an author engages all five senses in description.

validity of an idea

The purpose of argumentation is to prove the validity of an idea or point of view.

characteristic of slanting

Favorable intent: 'Although the Senator looks bored, when it comes time to vote he's on the right side of the issue.' Unfavorable intent: 'The Senator may vote on the right side of the issues, but he always looks bored.'

expository topics

The AP language exam essay questions are frequently set up as expository topics.

visual presentation

The purpose of description is to visually present a person, place, event, or action.

re-creating in description

The purpose of description is to re-create or invent a person, place, event, or action.

narrate an event

The purpose of narration is to narrate an event or series of events.