Poetry: Devices and figurative language COPY COPY Flashcards
enjambement
a run-on line, continuing into the next without a grammatical break
(no comma at the end of a line)
metaphor
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of unlike objects using identification or substitution
simile
a figure of speech which makes a direct comparison of two unlike objects, using the works like or as
Conceit
an extended metaphor, used to create a powerful effect
personification
giving objects/animals human qualities
apostrophe
an address to a person or personified object not present (or dead)
(Oh sun, please shine on my flowers)
Metonymy
the substitution of a word which relates to the object or person to be named in place of the name itself
(not part of the whole)
(the SERPENT lied to me)
Synecdoche
a part of something represents the whole object/idea (unlike metonymy)
(the TONGUE lied to me)
hyperbole
an exaggeration/overstatement for effect
litotes
a form of understatement in which the negative of an antonym is used to achieve emphasis and intensity
irony
the contrast between actual meaning and another meaning
verbal: oral
dramatic: audience knowledge vs character knowledge
situational: unexpected outcome of a situation
symbolism
the use of one object to suggest another, hidden object/idea
imagery
the use of words to represent things/actions/ideas by sensory description
paradox
a seemingly self-contradictory statement that underlines a basis of truth
oxymoron
contradictory terms used together to expressed a paradox for strong effect
allusion
a reference to an outside fact, event or another source
Allegory
a story or narrative, often told at some length, which has a deeper meaning below the surface
Ambiguity
use of language where the meaning is unclear or has two or more possible interpretations or meanings
Ambivalence
indicates more than one possible attitude is being displayed by the writer towards a character, theme, or idea, etc
Anachronism
something that is historically inaccurate
Anthropomorphism
the endowment of something that is not human with human characteristics
Antithesis
contrasting ideas or words that are balanced against each other
Archaic
language that is old-fashioned - not completely obsolete but no longer in current use
Atmosphere
the prevailing mood created by a piece of writing
Caricature
a character described through the exaggeration of a small number of features that he or she possesses
Catharsis
a purging of the emotions which takes place at the end of a tragedy
Cliché
a phrase, idea, or image that has been used so much that it has lost much of its original meaning, impact, and freshness
Colloquial
ordinary, everyday speech and language
Comedy
originally simply a play or other work which ended happily. Now we use this term to describe something that is funny and which makes us laugh.