Language technqiues Flashcards
polyptoton
repetition of words derived from the same root
chiasmus
word or concepts are repeated in reverse order.
tricolon
3 repitions of a word or phrase (popular among latin peots)
Emphatic line/ word placement
Placeing key words at the begining or end of the phrase
Direct adress
Talking to the reader
Pathos
Evoking pity for something or someone
Litotes
A double negitve to renforce a postive (not hate)
used in latin but not english
ALLITERATION
The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected
ANAPHORA
The repetition of words or phrases in a group of sentences, clauses or poetic lines.
APOSTROPHE
Breaking out from narration to make a direct address.
ASSONANCE
The repetition of vowel sounds
ASYNDETON
The omission of connective words such as ‘and’.
BATHOS
The effect achieved where a ‘high’ and lofty tone suddenly gives way to brutal and low terms.
DIMINUTIVES
Forms of words which suggest a small version of the simple word.
ECPHRASIS
A digression which pauses the action of the narrative to describe a scene or a work of art.
ENACTMENT
Where the words somehow replicate verbally the scene being described.
ENJAMBEMENT
The emphatic leaving of the last word of a phrase/sentence to the start of the following line of verse.
HENDIADYS
When a single idea is presented as if it were two separate things.
HYPERBATON
The deliberate placing of words outside where they are expected to be.
JUXTAPOSITION
The placing of words next to each other for effect.
METONYMY
A use of words referring to something with words associated with it.
ONOMATOPOEIA
Where the sound of words imitates the thing being described.
OXYMORON
Juxtaposition of words with strongly contrasting meaning; literally ‘sharp-dull’ in Greek.
PERSONA
The ‘mask’ in the theatre: used of the character which the speaker of satire assumes when in his role as satirist.
PLEONASM
Saying more than is needed.
POLYSYNDETON
Excessive use of connective words such as ‘and’.
RING COMPOSITION/ CYCLICAL STRUCTURE
Denotes the shaping of a text so that the ending recalls the beginning.
SIBILANCE
The repetition of the hissing sound created by ‘s’, ‘c’ or ‘sh.’
