Figures of Speech Flashcards
Repititio
A word or a phrase is repeated almost verbatim a number of times, hammering it home to the audience.
Anaphora
A repetitio at the start of a number of sentences or lines of verse is called an anaphora.
I have a dream… (M.L. King)
The rule of three
E.g.
veni, vidi, vici
faith, hope and love
liberty, equality, fraternity
Chiasmus
Two related sentences or phrases are each other’s syntactical mirror image.
I say what I think and I do what I say.
Rhetorical question
A question which instead of being a real question is a definite statement in the shape of a question. A rhetorical question is not meant to be answered.
Are you serious?
Metaphor
In a metaphor, you call something by another name directly, comparing that which you really mean with that which you call it.
The government is under fire.
Tautology
A concept is repeated using a different word that has (roughly) the same meaning. Both words belong to the same lexical category. When used carelessly, a tautology is considered to be a stylistic error.
All is well and good.
Give something away for free
Pleonasm
An obvious quality of an object or a concept is repeated. The words or concepts used in a pleonasms are also considered to be stylistic errors.
A round circle.
They decided to cooperate together.
Hyperbole
A more or less appropriate exaggeration, hyperbole often has a comical effect. Hyperbole taken too far easily become bombastic.
To laugh one’s head off.
You’re the sweetest person in the whole wide world.
Enumberation
A number of names, fact, arguments follow each other up, giving each element of the enumeration an emphathic and convincing ring
Paradox
A paradox is an apparent contradiction. Something appears not to be right, but upon closer reading the phrasing turns out to be correct after all.
Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains.
Those who want to live in peace must often apply force to themselves.
Understatement
This is the opposite of hyperbole: intentional trivialization.
Well, at least we have a roof over our heads.
Euphemism
A term which sounds too harsh or unkind is replaced with another, less direct term.
Euphemism are mostly used for fear of calling something by its real name. This figure of speech, is often used ironically.
Peacekeeping force (intervention force)
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a combination of two contradictory terms.
Speaking by keeping silent
Be conspicuous by one’s absence
Litotes
A special kind of understatement: something is strongly emphasised by denying the opposite.
That’s not a bad idea at all (great idea)
