Language devices Flashcards
Metonymy
A phrase that stands in for something else - symbolises it
Synecdoche
Refers to the whole by naming a part or refers to a part to describe a whole
Satire
ridiculing the follies of a person or community with the aim of entertaining and educating
Sarcasm
Saying the opposite of what you mean with the intention to hurt
Innuendo
hidden/implied meaning or suggestion
Euphemism
saying something uncomfortable or unpleasant in an acceptable way
Oxymoron
Contradictory words or phrases
Paradox
An apparent self-contradictory statement which, on closer inspection, is found to contain a truth reconciling the conflicting opposites
Hyperbole
Gross exaggeration
Allusion
indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, literary or political significance (shared knowledge is assumed)
Spoonerism
The first letter of each word is changed
Malopropism
Wrong word used
Anaphora
Repetition that does not bore
Litotes
Using a negative to suggest a positive
Antithesis
Placing an idea next to one which is sharply contrasted or directly opposed
Neologism
Newly created words
Portmanteau
Two or more words joined together to form a new word
Apostrophe
Figure of speech in which the poet addresses an abstract idea or thing
Epigram
Short, sharp, memorable saying
Cliché
Phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays lack of orginal thought
Platitutde
A remark or comment, especially one with moral contenet, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
e.g nobody’s perfect
