rhetorical devices Flashcards
What is Antimetabole?
Repeats words or phrases in reverse order.
Example: “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (J F Kennedy)
What is Litotes?
Makes an understatement by denying the opposite of a word that may have been used.
Example: The terms of the contract are not disagreeable to me.
What is Antiphrasis?
Uses a word with an opposite meaning.
Example: The chihuahua was named Goliath.
What is Amplification?
Repeats a word or expression for emphasis.
Example: Love, real love, takes time.
What is Metanoia?
Corrects or qualifies a statement.
Example: You are the most beautiful woman in this town, nay the entire world.
What is Enumeratio?
Makes a point with details.
Example: Renovation included a spa, tennis court, pool and lounge.
What is Antanagoge?
Places a criticism and compliment together to lessen the impact.
Example: The car is not pretty but it runs great.
What is Epizeuxis?
Repeats one word for emphasis.
Example: The amusement park was fun, fun, fun.
What is Epanalepsis?
Repeats something from the beginning of a sentence at the end.
Example: My ears heard what you said but I couldn’t believe my ears.
What is Allusion?
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Example: He made an allusion to Shakespeare in his speech.
What is Anaphora?
The use of a word referring back to a word used earlier in a text or conversation, to avoid repetition.
Example: Pronouns he, she, it, and they in I like it and so do they.
What is Metonymy?
The substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant.
Example: suit for business executive, or the turf for horse racing.
