Tropes and Schemes Terms List

TROPE: a figure of speech or rhetorical device that uses a word or phrase in a way that's different from its literal meaning. Tropes are used to create imagery and add meaning to writing and can be found in all types of writing and visual media.
Term	Definition of term with example in italics	How device functions in rhetoric
Allusion	an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. To my dog, our neighborhood park is the Garden of Eden. (alludes to the Christian Bible)	Provides context Conveys meaning quickly Connects with reader familiar ideas Elicits emotion
Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally I am so hungry I could eat a whole horse!	Done for emphasis and effect on the audience. Convey intensity or emotion Create vivid images Comic and dramatic effects
Irony	A situation where there is a contrast between reality and expectations. The Titanic is called an unsinkable ship, yet it sank after hitting an iceberg.	Create suspense Contrast knowledge and ignorance Expectations vs reality Twist words, scene, and emphasis for writer’s message
Metaphor	Compare two different things by saying that one thing is the other. Freedom is a bird who flies with no limits.	Allows a better visual of two different topics: abstract and concrete. Draw attention to qualities of the object
Metonymy	One word is substituted for another word that it is closely associated with I could not understand his tongue. (meaning I cannot understand his speech)	Add interest and mood Express things Allow an understanding of abstract ideas by comparing it to concrete. Vivid images
Onomatopoeia	Letter sounds of a word to imitate the natural sound Ring, ring! Someone is calling from the phone.	Add interesting or dramatic effect Give a sensory effect Vivid imagery Relate to audience
Oxymoron	Contradictory terms next to each other in a word or phrase The food was awfully good.	Thought provoking to stand out Prove the author’s purpose Seem foolish, but becomes sharp observation of world Reader thinks of complexity of that idea
Paradox	Statement that contradicts itself, but further inspection reveals a deeper truth. Youth is wasted on the young	Engages audience to think critically Reveal idea and complexity Illustrate themes Show humor
Personification	An object that behaves as a person. The sun smiled at them.	Easier to understand and interpret Lifelikeness to something dull Connect to the story
Simile	To compare similar subjects with like or as. He’s as light as a feather.	Understand abstract ideas Interesting to read Vivid image to engage audience
Synecdoche	A literary device in which a part is used to signify the whole. I play the strings. (refers to guitar, but categorize as strings)	Emphasize important themes for reader Vivid imagery Certain parts of a whole Power of associative thinking; readers automatically understand the reference
Imagery	Words that trigger the reader to recall images that engage one of the five senses. Her perfume smelled like a garden of fresh roses in bloom.	Engages audience Imagine the literature Enhances character, settings, meaning, theme
Symbolism	A person, situation, word, or object is used to represent another thing. A dove flew over the married couple; a match made from heaven.	Readers think deeply about text Abstract ideas in concrete Visualize Invoke thoughts into themes and meaning behind these symbols
Euphemism	A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts. She passed away last week.	Exaggerate correctness to add humor Cover up reality with indirect words. Feel at ease Allow authors to talk about concepts with being rude
SCHEME: a figure of speech that involves an artful arrangement of words in a sentence
Term	Definition of term with example in italics	How device functions in rhetoric
Alliteration	The repetition of sounds, usually in initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words She sells seashells at the seashore.	Gets the attention of readers and listeners. Link words together for a gathered focus memorable
Anaphora	Repetition of word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or clauses in a row. We will fight on the beach, we will fight on the ground, we will fight in the field and in the streets.	Draw the audience into the message that is being delivered Evoke high levels of emotion Inspire followers or call to action Emphasize a concept.
Anastrophe	Involves the inversion or rearrangement of a statement to create a new effect with the sentence. Smart, he was not.	Create a sense of depth or mysticism Reader dwell longer on the idea Emphasizes the statement Affect meaning in a creative way
Antimetabole	Repetition of words in successive sentences in reverse grammatical order. Eat to live, do not live to eat.	Motivate and persuade someone Catchy Emphasis Remember importance
Antithesis	Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses or even ideas with parallel structure It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.	Highlights the difference of opposing ideas Makes it obvious which one is better Persuades the audience
Asyndeton	Coordinating conjunctions are omitted. She wakes up, goes to school, eats, sleeps, goes to school again.	Reader speeds up because the conjunctions are omitted: emotions are occur Emphasis Underline themes
Parallelism	Sentence construction which places equal grammatical construction near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns. “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”	Add emphasis, organization, and pace of the audience to read. Idea is easier to process Sense a pattern and knows what to expect
Juxtaposition	Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison All’s fair in love and war.	Tension Look for meaning in dissimilarity See a single thing in a complex way
Rhetorical Question	Questions that do need an answer. Can we improve the quality of our work?	Convey writer’s perspective Make readers agree with them
Zeugma	One word modifies two other words. She broke his car and his heart.	Pause and create a concise moment of drama or humor Abstract to concrete.
Polysyndeton	Coordinating conjunctions are added for effects between words or phrases. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.	It slows down the rhythm of a phrase to make it memorable Emphasizes each item in a list Pile up traits to give a sense of being overwhelmed. Readers take in all information.
Ellipsis	An omission of words or events that allow readers to fill the gaps in the narrative sentence. I don’t think this is a good idea…	It keeps time Allow readers to engage by filling in the missing portions with imagination Increase tension Something is left unsaid, suspense
Chiasmus	Words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order. The truth is the light and the light is the truth.	Create symmetry Contrast two opposing concepts Emphasize two similar ones Rhythm and give memorable

Punctuation
Ellipses	a trailing off; equally etc.; going off into a dreamlike state
Dash	interruption of a thought; an interjection of a thought into another
Semicolon	parallel ideas; equal ideas; a piling up of detail
Colon	a list; a definition or explanation; a result
Italics	for emphasis
Capitalization	for emphasis
Exclamation Point	for emphasis; for emotion

Types of sentences
declarative	The king is sick.	makes a statement	assertive
imperative	Cure the king!	gives a command	authoritative
interrogative	Is the king sick?	asks a question	questioning
exclamatory	The king is dead; long live the king!	makes an exclamation	emotional

Tropes and Schemes Terms List

Punctuation

Ellipses

a trailing off; equally etc.; going off into a dreamlike state

Dash

interruption of a thought; an interjection of a thought into another

Semicolon

parallel ideas; equal ideas; a piling up of detail

Colon

a list; a definition or explanation; a result

Italics

for emphasis

Capitalization

for emphasis

Exclamation Point

for emphasis; for emotion