Lit Devices Pt 3: Syntax & Characterization

Question 1

Anaphora

Answer 1

A deliberate repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences in a row to help make the writer’s point more coherent

Question 2

Anastrophe

Answer 2

Inversion of the usual, normal or logical order of the parts of a sentence in order to create rhythm, emphasis, or euphony

Question 3

Antagonist

Answer 3

Opponent who struggles against or blocks the protagonist in a story; not always a human

Question 4

Antimetabole

Answer 4

A figure of speech in which words or clauses from the first half of a sentence are repeated in the second half of the sentence in reverse order, i.e. “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.“ -JFK or “fair is foul and foul is fair.“ – Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Question 5

Antithesis

Answer 5

Figure of speech in which a thought is balanced with a contrasting thought in parallel arrangement (i.e. “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times“, “many are called, but few are chosen“)

Question 6

Asyndeton

Answer 6

Commas used without conjunction to separate a series of words, this emphasizing the parts equally, i.e. “Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils/ Shrunk to this little measure?” -Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar

Question 7

Characterization

Answer 7

The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character

Question 8

Indirect Characterization

Answer 8

The author reveals the personality of a character by describing physical appearance, using dialogue, revealing character’s thoughts or effect on other characters, or through the character’s action

Question 9

Direct Characterization

Answer 9

Author tells the reader directly what the character is like: sneaky, generous, hateful, etc. ; classic romantic literature relied heavily on this form

Question 10

Static Character

Answer 10

A character who does not change much throughout the course of the story

Question 11

Dynamic Character

Answer 11

A character who changes in some important way as a result of the story’s action; character could change for the better or for the worse

Question 12

Flat Character

Answer 12

A character tat has only one or two personality traits; one-dimensional

Question 13

Round Character

Answer 13

A character that is complex and most like a real person

Question 14

Foil

Answer 14

A character who acts as a contrast to another; often a villain contrasting the hero

Question 15

Chiasmus

Answer 15

Two or more clauses which are related grammatically and conceptually, but in which the grammar and concepts are reversed, i.e. We ran away quickly; speedily, we fled. Chiasmus and antimetabole are often used as synonyms, although there is a slight difference

Question 16

Epistrophe

Answer 16

Device if repetition in which the same expression (single word or phrase) is repeated at the end of two or more lines, clauses, or sentences; this is the opposite of anaphora

Question 17

Litotes

Answer 17

A figure of speech in which a negative statement is used to affirm a positive sentiment, i.e. When a person is asked how he or she is doing, and respond with, “I’m not bad.” In fact, this means the person is doing fine or even quite well.

Question 18

Polysyndeton

Answer 18

The repetition of a number of conjunctions in close succession without the use of commas, i.e. “We have men and arms and planes and tanks.”

Question 19

Protagonist

Answer 19

The central character in a story who drives the action; usually the hero or antihero

Question 20

Syntax

Answer 20

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language