Rhetorical/Literary Terms

Question 1

Diction

Answer 1

The writer’s word choices, especially concerning their correctness, clarity, or effectiveness

Question 2

Syntax

Answer 2

The grammatical relationship of words to each other, sentence patterns and variations, schemes

Question 3

Alliteration

Answer 3

A stylistic device in which several words with the same first constant sound occur close together in a series

Question 4

Assonance

Answer 4

when two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds

Question 5

Parallelism

Answer 5

The use of successive verbal constructions in poetry or prose that correspond in grammatical structure, sound, meaning, or meter.

Question 6

Tricolon

Answer 6

Three parallel clauses, phrases, or words that come quickly without interruption, could refer to three lines, paragraphs, chapters, or stanzas

Question 7

Anaphora

Answer 7

Deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence

Question 8

Epistrophe

Answer 8

Repeating the same words at the end of consecutive phrases, clauses, sentences, and paragraphs

Question 9

Anadiplosis

Answer 9

A form of repetition in which the last word of one clause or sentence is repeated as the first word of the following clause or sentence

Question 10

Polysyndeton

Answer 10

Several coordinating conjunctions are used in succession

Question 11

Asyndeton

Answer 11

intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and in the sentence

Question 12

Tautology

Answer 12

A phrase, sentence, or paragraph that reiterates the same idea using different words or repeats the meaning despite appearing to provide new context

Question 13

Crescentdo/Climax

Answer 13

Words, phrases, or clauses are arranged in order of increasing importance

Question 14

Idiom

Answer 14

A set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words where a phrase is understood to mean something quite different from what individual words of the phrase would imply, interpreted figuratively

Question 15

Aphorism

Answer 15

A short, often commonly known saying that expresses a truth in a memorable way

Question 16

Oxymoron

Answer 16

Two opposite ideas are joined to create an effect, usually a combination of an adjective preceded by a noun contrasting meanings

Question 17

Euphemism

Answer 17

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Question 18

Hyperbole

Answer 18

Unreal exaggeration to emphasize the actual situation

Question 19

Litotes

Answer 19

An understatement that uses double negative or, in other words, a positive statement expressed by negating its opposite expressions

Question 20

Metonymy

Answer 20

Replaces the name of a thing with the name of something else with which it is closely associated– but not part of it

Question 21

Synecdoche

Answer 21

A part is made to represent the whole, or the whole is made to represent the sum of its parts

Question 22

Allusion

Answer 22

A reference, typically brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or literary work with which the reader is presumably familiar

Question 23

Imagery

Answer 23

Figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical senses

Question 24

Situational Irony

Answer 24

When one expects one outcome but get another

Question 25

Verbal Irony

Answer 25

Saying the opposite of what is meant

Question 26

Sarcasm

Answer 26

Saying the opposite of what is meant with intention of to be biting and critical

Question 27

Dramatic Irony

Answer 27

The audience is aware of something that a character is not

Question 28

Analogy

Answer 28

A comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to another thing that is quite different from it. It aims to explain that idea or thing by comparing it to something familiar

Question 29

Simile

Answer 29

Makes a comparison, showing similarities between two different things. Draws resemblance with the help of the words “like” or “as”. Therefore, it is a direct comparison

Question 30

Metaphor

Answer 30

Comparing one idea, object, or image directly to another dissimilar one without like or as

Question 31

Personification

Answer 31

A figure of speech in which an object or animal is given human feelings, thoughts, or attitudes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings