Rhetoric Devices (1) Flashcards
Anecdote
brief story told by a character (ex.)
Perspective
character’s view of situation or events in story (ex.)
Contradiction
a direct opposition between things being compared; inconsistency
Apostrophe
a figure of speech where something not present is addressed as if it is (ex. Hamlet talking to a skull while addressing dead character)
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines contradictory elements (ex. minor crisis)
Allusion
A figure of speech making a casual reference to a historical or literary event, person, or object to indicate a symbolic connection (usually religious)
Satire
A literary style used to make fun of an idea, usually a human weakness/vice (often political, like a cartoon)
Foil
A person/thing that makes another thing seem better by contrast
Epitaph
A piece of writing praising someone dead (ex. on gravestone)
Parody
A satirical imitation of a work of art ridiculing its style or subject
Sarcasm
A sharp, bitter remark of verbal irony where praise is critical (ex. saying “good catch” to someone who dropped a ball)
Irony
A situation/statement in which there is an obvious difference between the understood/expected and what actually happens/is meant; frequently humorous
Eulogy
Writing in praise of a (dead) person or thing (ex. what a preacher might say at a funeral)
Paradox
A statement that seems contradictory, but is actually true (ex. But the end was just the beginning)
Onomatopoeia
Words that are spelled like the sounds they describe (ex. buzz)
