Alliteration - Alliteration is a literary device that reflects repetition in two or more nearby words of initial consonant sounds. Alliteration does not refer to the repetition of consonant letters that begin words, but rather the repetition of the consonant sound at the beginning of words. For example, the phrase “kids’ coats” is alliterative; though the words begin with different consonant letters, they produce the same consonant sounds. (I.i.58)

Anadiplosis - The term anadiplosis is a Greek word, which means “to reduplicate.” It refers to the repetition of a word or words in successive clauses in such a way that the second clause starts with the same word which marks the end of the previous clause. (I.i.15)

Anaphora - Anaphora is a rhetorical device that features the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses. Anaphora works as a literary device to allow writers to convey, emphasize, and reinforce meaning. (I.i.50-57)

Apostrophe - As a literary device, an apostrophe is a poetic phrase or speech made by a character that is addressed to a subject that is not literally present in the literary work. The subject may be dead, absent, an inanimate object, or even an abstract idea. A literary apostrophe is designed to direct a reader or audience member’s attention to the entity being addressed as a means of indicating its importance or significance. In addition, apostrophe is also utilized as a way for a character to express their internal thoughts and feelings to someone or something that is not able to respond. (III.i.254)

Blank verse - Blank verse is a literary device defined as an un-rhyming verse written in iambic pentameter. In poetry and prose, it has a consistent meter with 10 syllables in each line (pentameter); where, unstressed syllables are followed by stressed ones, five of which are stressed but do not rhyme. It is also known as “un-rhymed iambic pentameter.” (I.i.1-5)

Concessio(n) - Concession is a literary device used in argumentative writing, where one acknowledges a point made by one’s opponent. It allows for different opinions and approaches toward an issue, indicating an understanding of what causes the actual debate or controversy. (II.i.291-94)

Deliberative Rhetoric - see page 189 of YTTM?  (II.i.12-13)

Enthymeme - An argumentative statement in which the writer or the speaker omits one of the major or minor premises, does not clearly pronounce it, or keeps this premise implied, is called an “enthymeme.” However, the omitted premise in an enthymeme remains understandable even if it is not clearly expressed. For instance, in the sentence, “Where there is smoke, there is fire,” the hidden premise is: fire causes smoke. (III.ii.81-82, 85-86, 92-93 – notice the missing step is for effect, not logic)

Epistrophe - Epistrophe is derived from a Greek word that means “turning upon,” which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence. Epistrophe is a stylistic device that can be defined as the repetition of phrases or words at the ends of the clauses or sentences. (III.ii.28-33)

Hyperbole - Hyperbole is a figure of speech and literary device that creates heightened effect through deliberate exaggeration. Hyperbole is often a boldly overstated or exaggerated claim or statement that adds emphasis without the intention of being literally true. (IV.iii.101-103)

Irony - Irony is a literary device in which contradictory statements or situations reveal a reality that is different from what appears to be true. There are many forms of irony featured in literature. The effectiveness of irony as a literary device depends on the reader’s expectations and understanding of the disparity between what “should” happen and what “actually” happens in a literary work. This can be in the form of an unforeseen outcome of an event, a character’s unanticipated behavior, or something incongruous that is said. (I.ii.176 – he does NOT have weak words)

Judicial Rhetoric – see page 208 of YTTM (III.ii.237-9)

Metaphor - A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two non-similar things. As a literary device, metaphor creates implicit comparisons without the express use of “like” or “as.” Metaphor is a means of asserting that two things are identical in comparison rather than just similar (vehicle = figurative, tenor = literal)

(I.i.37)

Metonymy - Metonymy is a figure of speech in which one object or idea takes the place of another with which it has a close association. In fact, metonymy means “change of name.” As a literary device, it is a way of replacing an object or idea with something related to it instead of stating what is actually meant. Metonymy enables writers to express a word or thought in a different way by using a closely related word or thought. (I.ii.220 - it’s not just a crown that is offered; kingship is offered).

Rhetorical Question - A rhetorical question is asked just for effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis on the point. (I.i.50-53)

Paralipsis - Paralipsis is from the Greek word paraleipein, which means “to omit,” or “to leave something on one side.” It is defined as a rhetorical device in which an idea is deliberately suggested through a brief treatment of a subject, while most of the significant points are omitted. It is explained through the use of this device that some points are too obvious to mention. Also, paralipsis is a way of emphasizing a subject by apparently passing over it. (III.ii.139)

Personification - Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Personification is a common form of metaphor in that human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman things. This allows writers to create life and motion within inanimate objects and even abstract ideas by assigning them recognizable human behaviors and emotions. (III.ii.257)

Simile - A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially dissimilar objects or concepts are expressly compared with one another through the use of “like” or “as.” Simile is used as a literary device to assert similarity with the help of like or as, which are language constructs that establish equivalency. A proper simile creates an explicit comparison between two things that are different enough from each other such that their comparability appears unlikely. (I.ii.135-36)

Synecdoche - Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to signify the whole, or vice-versa. In fact, it’s derived from the Greek word synekdoche: “simultaneous meaning.” As a literary device, synecdoche allows for a smaller component of something to stand in for the larger whole, in a rhetorical manner. Synecdoche can work in the opposite direction as well, in which the larger whole stands in for a smaller component of something.

(I.i.38)

• Ethos

• Decorum

• Ascending tricolon

• Meter

  
  

• Polysyndeton

• Logos

• Syllogism

• Enthymeme

• Analogy

• Commonplace

• Pathos

• Concessio

• Paralipsis

• Exordium

• Narration

• Division

• Proof

• Refutation

• Peroration

• Decorum

• Accommodation

• Isocolon

• Iambic

• Synecdoche

• Metonymy (not in the chapter, but contrast with synecdoche)

• Deliberative Rhetoric

• Apothegm

• Kairos

• Enthymeme

• Argumentum ad populum

Metaphor (vehicle and tenor)

Iambic pentameter

Synecdoche

Metonymy

Rhetorical questions

Anaphora

Alliteration

Simile

Irony (dramatic, situational, verbal – see this link)

Transferred Epithet