Literary and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
Active Voice
The subject of the sentence performs the actions. This is a more direct and preferred style of the writing in most cases.
Allusion
An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
Alter-ego
A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character.
Anecdote
A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non
fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
Antecedent
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally
asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.
Classicism
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional
themes and structures
Comic relief
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood
somewhat.
Diction
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
Colloquial
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
Connotation
the associations suggested by a
word; implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
Denotations
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
Jargon
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
Vernacular
- Language or dialect of a particular country.
- Language or dialect of a regional clan or group.
- Plain everyday speech
Didactic
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
Adage
A folk saying with a lesson.
Allegory
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an
abstraction or a truth.
Aphorism
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.
Ellipsis
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
Euphemism
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
Figurative Language
writing that is not meant to be taken literally
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Idiom
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
Metaphor
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
Metonymy
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
Synecdoche
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its
parts, or vice versa.
Simile
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very
different things.
Active voice example
“Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house.”
Allusion example
(usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events)
Alter-ego example
. In Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest, Shakespeare talks to his audience about his own upcoming retirement, through the main character in the play, Prospero.
Anecdote example
a group of coworkers are discussing pets, and one coworker tells a story about how her cat comes downstairs at only a certain time of the night
Antecedent example
“If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it.” An AP question might read: “What is the antecedent for “it”?
Classicism example
feelings of inferiority to higher-class
Comic relief example
The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth
Diction example
formal or informal, ornate or plain
Colloquialism example
Bo bananas, or go nuts – go insane or be very angry.
Connotation example
“policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.
Denotation example
Pandemic-(of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world.
Jargon example
I need a nurse to room 12 stat
Vernacular example
An example of vernacular is medical terms used by doctors.
Didactic example
An example of didactic writing is Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism
Adage example
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
Allegory example
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
Aphorism example
“God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never
boils.”
Ellipsis example
“The whole
day, rain, torrents of rain.”
Euphemism example
“Vertically challenged” in place
of “short.”
Figurative language example
You’re a couch potato
Analogy example
“America is to the world as the
hippo is to the jungle.”
Hyperbole example
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
Idiom example
“I got
chewed out by my coach.”
Metaphor example
“My feet
are popsicles.”
Metonymy example
“I could not understand his tongue,”
Synecdoche example
“Check out my new wheels.”
Simile example
“My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
Active voice effect
The opposite is passive voice –
when the subject of the sentence receives the action. “The car was driven by Anthony.” Passive voice is
often overused, resulting in lifeless writing. When possible, try to use active voice.
Allusion effect
it can give deeper meaning to a story by referring to another piece of work that most are familiar with.
Alter-ego effect
to see their perspective
Anecdotes effect
Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non
fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
Antecedent effect
The AP language exam occasionally
asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.
Classicism effect
sticks to traditional
themes and structures
Comic relief effect
in order to lighten the mood
somewhat.
Diction effect
Different types of words have significant effects
on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise
than street slang. You should be able to describe an author’s diction.
Colloquial effect
When appropriately used, colloquial language can be useful in creating a bond between reader and writer that makes it easier for the reader to agree with the writer’s point of view,
Adage effect
The truths they communicate are reflections on life experiences that many people can relate to. One of the best ways to gain knowledge is to read, read, and read some more.
Allegory effect
The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.
Aphorism effect
increased understanding and relatability of the audience.
Ellipsis effect
To show an omission of a word or words
Euphemism effect
Sometimes they are used for political correctness. “Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.” Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor.
Figurative Language effect
enhance the emotional significance of passages,
Analogy effect
to show that the relationship between the first pair of variables is
the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
Hyperbole effect
to emphasize the text
Idiom effect
amplify messages in a way that draws readers in and helps awaken their senses
Metaphor effect
writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions
Metonymy effect
enables writers to express a word in a different way by using a closely related word.
Synecdoche effect
allows variation of expression and produces an effect for the reader
Simile effect
eliminates the need for excessive information and description on the writer’s part
Connotation
words that are strongly negative or positive effects how readers feel
Denotation
helps reader understand the word
Jargon
enhance communication
Vernacular
helps express that the language is used for a specific group
Didactic effect
meant to entertain, the aesthetics in a didactic work of literature are subordinate to the message it imparts
Synesthesia
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
Synesthesia example
“I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
Synesthesia effect
It makes their ideas more vivid, and adds more layers of meaning to a text
Personification
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
Personification example
“The tired old truck
groaned as it inched up the hill.”
Personification effect
to make descriptions of non-human entities more vivid
Foreshadowing
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
Foreshadowing example
weather motifs: clouds, rain, wind etc.
Foreshadowing effect
creates an atmosphere of suspense in a story
Genre
The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose,
poetry, and drama.
Genre example
(poetry can be classified into lyric, dramatic,
narrative, etc.). autobiography,
biography, diaries, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.
Genre effect
Genres appeal to writers because they give a structure and something to build on, while they offer audiences the pleasure of the familiar and ingenious diversion from it.
Gothic
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death.
Gothic example
18th century literature like vampires, witches, curses and ghosts
Gothic effect
gave audience mystery and suspense, atmosphere and setting, and omens and curses
Imagery
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind.
Imagery example
The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days.
Imagery effect
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind.
Invective
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.
Invective example
how slavemasters talk to slaves
Invective effect
to express strong negative emotion or to stir up emotion in the audience
Irony
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
Irony example
A post on instagram complaining about how useless instagram is
