Style: Schemes and Tropes Flashcards
Parallelism
(Scheme of Balance)
Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses.
Emphasizes similarities and connections
Isocolon
(Scheme of Balance)
use of parallel elements similar in structure and length.
addition of symmetry of length to similarity of structure contributes to the rhythm of sentences.
i.e. His purpose was to impress the ignorant, to perplex the dubious, and to confound the scrupulous.
Antithesis
(Scheme of Balance)
juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure
Emphasizes dissimilarities and contraries; produces the quality of an aphorism:
i.e. Though studious, he was popular; though argumentative, he was modest; though inflexible, he was candid; and though metaphysical, yet orthodox.
Anastrophe
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
Inversion of the natural or usual word order.
b/c deviation surprises expectation, anastrophe can be an effective device for gaining attention, though its chief function is to secure emphasis
Backward run the sentences, till reels the mind.
Parenthesis
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
Insertion of some verbal unit in a position that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of the sentence.
Allows the author’s voice to be heard commenting… charging the statement with emotion
But wherein any man is bold - I am speaking foolishly - I also am bold…
Apposition
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
Placing side by side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of the first.
Less intrusive than parenthesis, allows for the insertion of additional information or emphasis:
John Morgan, the president of the Sons of the Republic, could not be reached by phone.
Ellipsis
(Schemes of Omission)
deliberate omission of a word or of words which are readily implied by the context.
Denoted: “…” - APA or “[…]” - MLA
an artful and arresting means of securing economy of expression (saves time):
And he to England shall along with you.
Asyndeton
(Schemes of Omission)
deliberate omission of conjuctions between a series of related clauses.
Produces a hurried rhythm in the sentence:
I came, I saw, I conquered.
Polysyndeton
(Schemes of Repetition)
Deliberate use of many conjuctions.
Opposite of asyndeton
Suggests flow or continuity in some cases, special emphasis in others:
I said, “Who killed him?” and he said, “I don’t know who killed him but he’s dead all right,” and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows…
Alliteration
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of initial or medial consonants in two or more adjacent words
contributes to euphony of verse; sometimes used for humorous effect:
A sable, silent, solemn forest stood. Tart, tingling, and even ticklish.
Similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases or clauses.
Emphasizes similarities and connections
Parallelism
(Scheme of Balance)
use of parallel elements similar in structure and length.
addition of symmetry of length to similarity of structure contributes to the rhythm of sentences.
i.e. His purpose was to impress the ignorant, to perplex the dubious, and to confound the scrupulous.
Isocolon
(Scheme of Balance)
juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure
Emphasizes dissimilarities and contraries; produces the quality of an aphorism:
i.e. Though studious, he was popular; though argumentative, he was modest; though inflexible, he was candid; and though metaphysical, yet orthodox.
Antithesis
(Scheme of Balance)
Inversion of the natural or usual word order.
b/c deviation surprises expectation, anastrpohe can be an effective device for gaining attention, though its chief function is to secure emphasis
Backward run the sentences, till reels the mind.
Anastrophe
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
Insertion of some verbal unit in a position that interrupts the normal syntactical flow of the sentence.
Allows the author’s voice to be heard commenting… charging the statement with emotion
But wherein any man is bold - I am speaking foolishly - I also am bold…
Parenthesis
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
Placing side by side two coordinate elements, the second of which serves as an explanation or modification of the first.
Less intrusive than parenthesis, allows for the insertion of additional information or emphasis:
John Morgan, the president of the Sons of the Republic, could not be reached by phone.
Apposition
(Scheme of Unusual or inverted word order)
deliberate omission of a word or of words which are readily implied by the context.
Denoted: “…” - APA or “[…]” - MLA
an artful and arresting means of securing economy of expression (saves time):
And he to England shall along with you.
Ellipsis
(Schemes of Omission)
deliberate omission of conjuctions between a series of related clauses.
Produces a hurried rhythm in the sentence:
I came, I saw, I conquered.
Asyndeton
(Schemes of Omission)
Deliberate use of many conjuctions.
Opposite of asyndeton
Suggests flow or continuity in some cases, special emphasis in others:
I said, “Who killed him?” and he said, “I don’t know who killed him but he’s dead all right,” and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows…
Polysyndeton
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of initial or medial consonants in two or more adjacent words
contributes to euphony of verse; sometimes used for humorous effect:
A sable, silent, solemn forest stood. Tart, tingling, and even ticklish.
Alliteration
(Schemes of Repetition)
Assonance
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of similar vowel sounds in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.
produces euphonious, onomatopoetic, or humorous effect:
,An old, mad, bli**nd, desp**i**sed, and d**y**ing king - Prices, the dregs of their d**u**ll race, who flow Through p**u**blic scorn- m**u**d from a m**uddy spring
Anaphora
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginnings of successive clauses.
opposite of epistrophe
used deliberately to establish a marked rhythm and often produces strong emotional effect:
The Lord sitteth above the water floods. The Lord remaineth a King forever. The Lord shall give strength unto his people. The Lord shall give his peoplethe blessing of peace. (Psalm 29)
Epistrophe
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of the same word or group of words at the ends of successive clauses.
opposite of anaphora
sets up a pronounced rhythm and secures a special emphasis:
I’ll have my bond! Speak not against my bond! I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond!
Epanalepsis
(Schemes of Repetition)
(e-pon-a-lep-sis)
repetition at the end of a clause of the word that occured at the beginning of the clause.
gives language an appearance of emotional spontaneity:
Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answered blows: Strength match’ with strength, and pwoer confronted power. (Shakespeare)
Anadiplosis
(Schemes of Repetition)
(an-a-di-plo-sis)
repetition at the last word of one clause at the beginning of the following clause
emphasis through repetition i think?
Labor and care are rewarded with success, sucess produces confidence, confidence relaxes industry, and negligence ruins the reputation which diligence had raised. (Samuel Jackson)
Climax
(Schemes of Repetition)
arrangement of words, phrases or clauses in an order of increasing importance
Renounce my love, my life, myself - and you
I think we’ve reached a point of great decision, not just for our nation, not only for all humanity, but for life upon the earth.
Antimetabole
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of words, in successive clauses, in reverse grammatical order.
Produces the impressive turn of phrase typical of an aphorism:
One should eat to live, not live to eat
Chiasmus
(Schemes of Repetition)
reversal of grammatical structure insuccessive phrases or clauses.
like antimetabole, but without the repetition:
By day the frolic, and the dance by night.
Polyptoton
(Schemes of Repetition)
(po-lip-toe-t-on)
repetition of words derived from the same root.
similar to word play, but the meanings of the words do not lose their literal meaning:
The Greeks are strong, and skillful** to their **strength**. **Fierce** to their **skill**, and to their **fierceness valient. (Shakespeare)
Metaphor
(Tropes of Comparison)
an implied comparison between two things of unlike nature that yet have something in common.
A comparison of two things without using the words “like” or “as”
repetition of similar vowel sounds in the stressed syllables of adjacent words.
produces euphonious, onomatopoetic, or humorous effect:
,An old, mad, bli**nd, desp**i**sed, and d**y**ing king - Prices, the dregs of their d**u**ll race, who flow Through p**u**blic scorn- m**u**d from a m**uddy spring
Assonance
(Schemes of Repetition)
repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginnings of successive clauses.
opposite of epistrophe
used deliberately to establish a marked rhythm and often produces strong emotional effect:
The Lord sitteth above the water floods. The Lord remaineth a King forever. The Lord shall give strength unto his people. The Lord shall give his peoplethe blessing of peace. (Psalm 29)
Anaphora
(Schemes of Repetition)
