Rhetorical devices Flashcards
Allegory
narrative form in which characters and actions have meaning outside of themselves
allusion
a figure of speech which makes a brief, or even casual, reference to a historical or literary figure, event, or object to create symbolic meaning to the character or object
analogy
comprehension of two things that are alike in some respects
anecdote
a brief story or tale told by the character in a piece of literature
aphorism
a concise statement designed to make a point or to illustrate a common belief
Catharism
purification or cleansing of the spirit through the emotions of pity and terror as a witness to tragedy
didactic
intended for teaching or to teach moral lesson
bildungsroman
a novel or story whose theme is the moral or phycological growth of the main character
doppelganger
ghostly counterpart of a living person or an alter ego
epiphany
a sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of something usually brought on by a simple or common occurrence or experience
epistolary
a piece of literature contained or carried on by letters
Eulogy
a speech or writing in praise of another person or thing ; orientation of a deceased person
expletive
a single word or short phrase intended to emphasize surrounding words and usually are set off by commas: In fact, after all…
in medias res
an opening to a story in the middle of the action, causing to use flashbacks and etc. to give info about the event.
juxtaposition
placing two items by each other to create a certain effect, reveal an attitude, or accomplish some other purpose
