Lit Devices Pt 3: Syntax & Characterization Flashcards
Anaphora
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
Anastrophe
Inversion of the usual, normal or logical order of the parts of a sentence in order to create rhythm, emphasis, or euphony
Antagonist
Opponent who struggles against or blocks the protagonist in a story; not always a human
Antimetabole
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
Antithesis
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“)
Asyndeton
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
Characterization
The process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character
Indirect Characterization
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
Direct Characterization
Author tells the reader directly what the character is like: sneaky, generous, hateful, etc. ; classic romantic literature relied heavily on this form
Static Character
A character who does not change much throughout the course of the story
Dynamic Character
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
Flat Character
A character tat has only one or two personality traits; one-dimensional
Round Character
A character that is complex and most like a real person
Foil
A character who acts as a contrast to another; often a villain contrasting the hero
Chiasmus
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
Epistrophe
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
Litotes
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.
Polysyndeton
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.”
Protagonist
The central character in a story who drives the action; usually the hero or antihero
Syntax
The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language
