R - Z Flashcards
Repetition
When a word, phrase or sentences or repeated more than once.
Rhetorical Question
A question asked, where no answer is expected.
Note: similar yet opposite to hypophora.
Satire
A phrase, sentence, or entire work that uses irony to critique aspects of society, whether it be political, cultural or anything else.
Semantic Field
A lexical set of semantically related items.
Sensory Language
Words used to invoke imagery.
Sibilance
A specific type of alliteration that only uses the word “s” to make a hissing sound.
Simile
A comparison between two subjects that involves the words “like” or “as”.
Superlative
The form of an adjective or an adverb that describes the subject to have more of that particular quality than anything else. For example, the word “fastest” as opposed to “fast” or the words “most beautiful” instead of “beautiful”
Note: in regards to the situation of “most beautiful”, the word “beautifulest” would be an example of anthimeria.
Symbolism
Something used to represent a larger concept or idea.
Synecdoche
When a whole thing is described by only a part of it ie a car described as a “set of wheels”.
Synesthesia
When one sense is described or associated with another.
Tautology
When a sentence or short paragraph repeats a word or phrase twice to express the same idea twice.
Tmesis
When a phrase or word is split into two parts by another word being inserted in the middle ie “fan-bloody-tastic”.
Tone
The general attitude of either the narrator or speaker’s attitude towards the subject of the piece.
Tricolon
A sentence with three clearly defined parts, typically dependent clauses. Most commonly referred to as a list of three.
