Literary Devices

Question 1

paradox

Answer 1

a statement that is contradictory but reveals truth

ex: less is more

Question 2

eutrepismus

Answer 2

stating points in a numbers list

ex: first, explain what it is. second, show how it works. third, explain what it achieves.

Question 3

anadiplosis

Answer 3

repeated word/phrase at the end of one sentence and begging of the next.

ex: fear leads to anger. anger leads to hate.

Question 4

polysyndeton

Answer 4

multiple uses of conjunctions

ex: the party was filled with laughter and music, and fun, and dancing, and joy.

Question 5

asyndeton

Answer 5

leaving out conjunctions

ex: the party was filled with laughter, music, joy, dancing.

Question 6

alliteration

Answer 6

repetition of constant sound

ex: bob bought a bag of bell peppers.

Question 7

epistrophe

Answer 7

repetition of a word at the end of multiple sentences

ex: where now? who now? when now?

Question 8

rhetorical question

Answer 8

question asked to make a point rather than have an answer

ex: smooth move, huh?

Question 9

repetition

Answer 9

repeating words for emphasis

ex: oh no, oh no, oh no

Question 10

euphemism

Answer 10

substituting mild words for blunt harsh ones

EX: she passed away peacefully in her sleep –> she died last night

Question 11

anaphora

Answer 11

repetition of word at begging of sentences

ex: a target for emotions, a target for frustration, a target for outburst.

Question 12

parallelism

Answer 12

using similar grammatical structures so the word flows together

ex: the coach told the team to work hard, to stay focused, and to never give up

Question 13

litotes

Answer 13

double negative

“I wont say no”

Question 14

pathos

Answer 14

appeal to audience emotions

ex: in writing about animal cruelty, they may describe how the animals suffer in detail

Question 15

logos

Answer 15

appeal to logic and reason

ex: may use statistics

Question 16

ethos

Answer 16

appeal to credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker

ex: may reference their credentials

Question 17

metaphor

Answer 17

comparison between two unlike things

ex: you’re an open book

Question 18

simile

Answer 18

comparison between two unlike things, using like or as

ex: we fight like cats and dogs

Question 19

imagery

Answer 19

vivid description appealing to senses

Question 20

symbolism

Answer 20

symbols to represent abstract ideas or concepts

ex: fire often represents anger, hate, or chaos

Question 21

theme

Answer 21

underlying meaning of the story

ex: life decisions can be hard

Question 22

motif

Answer 22

reocurring thematic or symbolic element

ex: death

Question 23

allusion

Answer 23

reference to a well known person, place, or thing

ex: you’re such a grinch

Question 24

foreshadowing

Answer 24

future events are hinted to before they happen

Question 25

verbal irony

Answer 25

intended meaning is different from how to appears

EX: its such a great day outside (its raining)

Question 26

situational irony

Answer 26

situation is not expected

ex: a blizzard of the first day of spring

Question 27

dramatic irony

Answer 27

the audience knows more then the character in the story

ex: a character is about to open a door but the audience knows theres a killer on the other side

Question 28

hyperbole

Answer 28

exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally

ex: i could eat a horse right now

Question 29

oxymoron

Answer 29

contradictory words for dramatic effect

EX: there was a deafening silence in the room

Question 30

flashback

Answer 30

takes reader back in time

Question 31

juxtaposition

Answer 31

placing two things side by side to highlight their differences

ex “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

Question 32

pun

Answer 32

create humor is clever twist

ex: a boiled egg for lunch is hard to beat