Literary and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
What is the definition of Active Voice?
When the subject of the sentence performs an action
What is an example of Active Voice?
Beethoven composed the symphony
What is the effect of Active Voice?
Makes the writing easier to follow
What is the definition of Allusion?
An indirect reference to something that should be familiar to the reader
What is an example of Allusion?
Leon referring to his professor as Einstein
What is the effect of Allusion?
To make a concept easier to understand
What is the definition of Alter-Ego?
When an author uses a character to communicate their own thoughts to the reader
What is an example of Alter-Ego?
An author using the character of Simon to voice their opinions on a certain matter though the character’s words or actions
What is the effect of a Alter-Ego?
It gives authors an opportunity to express their message with a character
What is the definition of an Anecdote?
A short story that is relevant to a current situation
What is an example of an Anecdote?
When at the airport with his class, Davis tells them about a time when his family waited at the airport for over 8 hours
What is the effect of an Ancedote?
They are usually utilized to make a point or to inject humor
What is the definition of an Antecedent?
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun.
What is an example of an Antecedent?
John was regretting the choice to procrastinate on “his” essay. The word “his” would be an example
What is the effect of an Antecedent?
It makes writing more clear by not having to refer to a subject by name constantly
What is the definition of Classicism?
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world. Sticks to mostly traditional themes
What is an example of Classicism?
Andromaque, a work by Jean Racine talked about the Trojan War
What is the effect of Classicism?
Helps the reader understand the author’s message by showcasing their viewpoint
What is the definition of Comic Relief?
A humorous scene inserted into a serious story
What is an example of Comic Relief?
A character cracking a joke during a tense moment
What is the effect of Comic Relief?
To make sure the story doesn’t get too dark.
What is the definition of Diction?
An author’s word choice
What is an example of Diction?
The author’s word choice reflects the formal tone
What is the effect of Diction?
Effects the style of the writing
What is the definition of Colloquial?
An ordinary or familiar type of conversation
What is an example of Colloquial?
Greeting your teacher when you join class
What is the effect of Colloquial?
To give the writing a casual mood
What is the definition of Connotation?
The implied meaning of a word rather than its literal meaning
What is an example of a Connotation?
The term “The Man” has the same meaning as “Boss”
What is the effect of a Connotation?
It can change the way a reader interprets a passage
What is the definition of a Denotation?
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, with no connotations
What is an example of a Denotation?
Using the word “Boss” to refer to your boss
What is the effect of a Denotation?
To influence the way a reader interprets a passage.
What is the definition of Jargon?
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession
What is an example of Jargon?
Members of a fan club use a certain diction to communicate with each other
What is the effect of Jargon?
To give the impression that the author is a part of a certain group
What is the definition of Venacular?
The language or dialect of a particular country
What is an example of Venacular?
Common language such as “What’s up?”
What is the effect of Venacular?
Used to diversify word choice
What is the definition of 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.
What is an example of Didactic?
An instruction book
What is the effect of Didactic?
To inform the reader about something
What is the definition of Adage?
A folk saying with a lesson
What is an example of Adage?
A rolling stone gathers no moss
What is the effect of Adage?
To let the reader know the author’s message
What is the definition of Allegory?
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts.
What is an example of Allegory?
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
What is the effect of Allegory?
Meant to reveal an abstraction of Truth
What is the definition of Aphorism?
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle.
What is an example of Aphorism?
A watched pot never boils
What is the effect of Aphorism?
Used to summarize the author’s main point
What is the definition of Ellipsis?
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
What is an example of Ellipsis?
The shop was bursting with excitement…the customers seemed to be looking forward to the evening.
What is the effect of an Ellipsis?
To omit unnecessary information
What is the definition of Euphemism?
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
What is an example of Euphemism?
Using the term “vertically challenged” instead of short
What is the effect of Euphemism?
To remain politically correct
What is the definition of Figurative Language?
Language that is not meant to be taken literally
What is an example of Figurative Language?
Mountains were being moved next door
What is the effect of Figurative Language?
To add more emphasis on a phrase
What is the definition of Analogy?
A comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables
What is an example of an Analogy?
You took this like a duck to water
What is the effect of an Analogy?
To imply the relationship between the first pair of variables is the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
What is the definition of a Hyperbole?
An exaggeration
What is an example of a Hyperbole?
I will die if I don’t have my morning coffee
What is the effect of a Hyperbole?
To over-emphasize a phrase
What is the definition of an Idiom?
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
What is an example of an Idiom?
I am drowning in homework
What is the effect of an Idiom?
To put emphasis on a phrase
What is the definition of a Metaphor?
Making an implied comparison
What is an example of a Metaphor?
My brain is a turtle today
What is the effect of a Metaphor?
To make a passage easier to understand
What is the definition of Metonymy?
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
What is an example of Metonymy?
I could not understand his tongue
What is the effect of Metonymy?
To simplify a concept
What is the definition of Synecdoche?
A type of Metonymy that talks about a part of something greater.
What is an example of Synecdoche?
This company makes superior sticks, referring to arcade sticks that is a part of the controller
What is the effect of Synecdoche?
To simplify a concept
What is the definition of a Simile?
A comparison that uses “like” or “as”
What is an example of a Simile?
He was a cunning as a fox
What is the effect of a Simile?
To emphasize a point that the author has
What is the definition of Synthesia?
a description involving a crossing of the senses.
What is an example of Synthesia?
The Sonic energy drink tasted blue.
What is the effect of Synthesia?
To provide a new perspective of a familiar concept.
What is the definition of Personification?
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human
What is an example of Personification?
The stubborn stain refused to come off of the shirt
What is the effect of Personification?
To emphasize a statement
What is the definition of Foreshadowing?
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
What is an example of Foreshadowing?
Dark clouds forming on a cloudless day
What is the effect of Foreshadowing?
To make the reader curious as to what will happen next
What is the definition of Genre?
The major category into which a literary work fits
What is an example of a Genre?
Prose, poetry, autobiography, and prose
What is the effect of a Genre?
To introduce the reader to the overall mood of the passage
What is the definition of Gothic?
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death.
What is an example of Gothic?
Dracula by Bram Stoker
What is the effect of Gothic?
It gives the reader an idea of things such as the setting and the overall mood of the passage
What is definition of Imagery?
Word or words that create a picture in the reader’s mind. Usually this involves the five senses.
Authors often use imagery in conjunction with metaphors, similes, or figures of speech.
What is an example of Imagery?
The bakery reminded the boy of his old home. It was always warm and smelled like chocolate.
What is the effect of Imagery?
It helps to further develop the setting
What is the definition of Invective?
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language
What is an example of an Invective?
Four months of pent up aggression was released in a strongly worded email to her co-worker about their incompetence with projects.
What is the effect of an Invective?
To put extremely strong emphasis on a certain message
What is the definition of Irony?
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
What is an example of Irony?
An archaeologist that is afraid of the unknown
What is the effect of Irony?
To add humor to a situation
What is the definition of Verbal Irony?
When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.
What is an example of Verbal Irony?
When your friend plans to run a marathon in 3 hours or less and claims that it will be a cakewalk
What is the effect of Verbal Irony?
To add humor to the author’s message
What is the definition of Dramatic irony?
When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the character doesn’t and would be surprised to find out.
What is an example of Dramatic irony?
When the audience knows about certain misfortune (such as the death of someone) that the character(s) do not know about
What is the effect of Dramatic irony?
To put an emphasis on the perspective of the passage
What is the definition of Situational irony?
Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie. Sometimes it makes you laugh because it’s funny how things turn out.
What is an example of Situational irony?
In order to test the security of a convenience store, Nico steals candy from a box labeled “Free Candy”
What is the effect of Situational irony?
To add humor to a situation
What is the definition of Juxtaposition?
Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.
What is an example of Juxtaposition?
Juxtaposing the average day of a typical American with that of someone in a third world country in order to make a point of social commentary
What is the effect of Juxtaposition?
Used by authors to make a point
What is the definition of Mood?
The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice
What is an example of Mood?
Using a certain diction that describes the dark undertones of a town
What is the effect of Mood?
Used to describe what tone or the severity the author has put the message in.
What is the definition of Motif?
A recurring idea in a piece of literature
What is an example of a Motif?
A constant reference to something, such as seeing broken glass representing a broken person
What is the effect of a Motif?
To show the reader a key point that pertains to the main idea of the passage.
What is the definition of an Oxymoron?
When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox
What is an example of an Oxymoron?
A bright darkness
What is the effect of an Oxymoron?
To make the reader think twice about the message that is being presented
What is the definition of Pacing?
The speed or tempo of an author’s writing.
What is an example of Pacing?
An author’s speed can be brisk, sluggish, stabbing, even vibrato or staccato.
What is the effect of Pacing?
It determines the speed at which the plot moves.
What is the definition of a Paradox?
A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.
What is an example of a Paradox?
If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing.
What is the effect of a Paradox?
To make the reader think twice about the message that is being presented
What is the definition of Parallelism?
Sentence construction which places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.
What is an example of Parallelism?
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
What is the effect of Parallelism?
Used to add emphasis, organization, or sometimes pacing to writing
What is the definition of Anaphora?
The repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or clauses in a row.
What is an example of Anaphora?
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
What is the effect of Anaphora?
Helps make the writer’s point more coherent
What is the definition of Chiasmus?
When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of the words is reversed.
What is an example of Chiasmus?
When the going gets tough, the tough get
going.
What is the effect of Chiasmus?
Used to add organization to the text
What is the definition of Antithesis?
Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel structure.
What is an example of an Antithesis?
Was the new job opportunity a blessing or a curse?
What is the effect of an Antithesis?
To give an additional meaning to a certain idea