Stylistic Devices Flashcards
Alliteration
repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginning of words
Consonance
repetition of consonant sounds in words close together
Assonance
the repetition of the same vowel ounds in words
Onomatopoeia
the sounds of the word which mimics a sound to which is refers to
Dissonance
refers to a disruption in the harmonic sounds or rhythm (Is used to create deliberately awkward or jarring sounds within a text).
Allusion
A reference to a famous or historic person, place, or event within a literary text
Anaphora
The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of lines or successive clauses
Epistrophe
repetition of the same word or group of words at the end of lines or successive clauses
Repetition
the repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis or for effect
Anticlimax
the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses so that there is a deliberate lapse from an ascending order of importance
Antithesis
involving a seeming contradiction of ideas, words, clauses, or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure
Asyndeton
deliberate omission of conjunctions between a series ( too few coordinating conjunctions).
Polysyndeton
Deliberate use of too many conjunctions.
Chiasmus
A rhetorical device in which two or more clauses are balanced against each other by the reversal of their structure.
Climax
the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses in an ascending order of importance.
Dysphemism
A statement expressed in its harshest or unpleasant manner
Euphemism
A figure or speech in which the harsh or unpleasant fact is so state that its harshness or unpleasantness is concealed
Elision
The omission of a letter or syllable as a means of contraction; most omissions are marked with an apostrophe
Hyperbole
A figure of speech in which extreme exaggeration is used
Understatement
When the severity or harshness of something is diminished
Euphony
A pleasing and harmonious combination of sounds –melodious (associated with Alliteration, consonance, or assonance)
Cacophony
a harsh discordant unpleasant combination of sounds
Rhetorical Question
a question that is used more as a statement for greater emphasis; no formal answer is expected
Hypophora
A figure of speech in which the speaker raises a question then answers it
Imagery
A description that appeals to the senses ( Is achieved through sensory adverbs and adjectives)
Visual Imagery
A description that appeals to the sense of sight
Auditory Imagery
A description that appeals to the sense of hearing
Gustatory Imagery
A description that appeals to the sense of taste
Olfactory Imagery
A description that appeals to the sense of smell
Tactile Imagery
A description that appeals to the sense of touch
Kinesthetic Imagery
A description that appeals to motion or movement
Organic Imagery
A description that appeals to an internal sensation (a tingling in an arm, a lump in my throat, etc.)
Synesthesia
The description of a sense impression but in terms of another seemingly inappropriate sense
Idiom
A words or group of words whose meaing is created from usage and not the definition of the words
Inversion
changing of normal word order or syntax
Verbal Irony
stating the opposite of what one really means
Situational Irony
The contrast between what we think should happen and what actually does happen
Dramatic Irony
A device in which a character holds a position or has an expectation reversed or fulfilled in a way that the character did not expect but that the audience or readers have anticipated because their knowledge of events or individuals is more complete than the character’s ( when the auidence/reader knows more than what the character).
Socratic Irony
When someone feigns ignorance in order to reveal the ignorance of someone else (reveals foolishness through pretend teachings).
Juxaposition
the fact of two things being seen or placed close together for comparison
Litotes
Understatement in which an idea is conveyed by the use of its opposite with a negative
Metaphor
A comparison not using like or as
Simile
A comparison using like or as or than
Metonymy
A kind of metaphor. An object is given the name of something else with which it is associated
Synecdoche
Referring to something by referencing a part of it or by referencing something of which it is a part (part=whole OR whole=part)
Oxymoron
Joining two contradictory words or phrases often but not always side by side
Paradox
A statement which at first seems to be self-contradictory, but which on closer inspection turns out to have a valid meaning
Pathetic Fallacy
Projecting the emotions of a character onto its environment. It is a form of personification that must connect to environment and then to character
Personification
Giving human qualities to nonhuman things
Apostrophe
to address a person who is not present or to address an object or concept as if it were a person
Prosopopoeia
give speech or a voice to nonhuman things.
Pun
A play on words mostly for witty or humourous effect
Symbol
Words or images that signify more than they literally represent. Symbols are linked to associated meanings – not just function.
Tautology
The redundant or pointless use of words, which effectually delivers the same meaning. Retelling the same thing by using different words or phrases
Tmesis
Is an insertion of a word between the parts of a word
Zeugma
Term for the use of a single word to denote two or more words in a sentence and is fraught with literal and metaphorical undertones (2 different definitions but one word)
Metafication
Literature that references itself. It can be created by addressing the reader directly (uses you or reader), or it can be created by mentioning a related action or term that connects to read/writing (sentence, symbol, forshadow, writing, etc.)
Metaplasmus
Intentional misspelling to a dialect or meaning (slang).
Logos
presuasive appeals to logic
Pathos
presuasive appeals to emotion
Ethos
Presuasive appeals to authority (relies on creditability)
Kairos
Presuasive appeals presented at the most opportune time and place (right place and right timing (favours)).
Charatonym
When the name of a character reveals elements of his or her characterization
Foreshadow
Subtle hints given as to future events
How is a simile set up
Tenor (subject) like a vechicle (description)
How is a metaphor set up
Tenor (Subject) is vechicle (description)
What are the coordinating conjunctions
FANBOYS (For-And-Not-But-Or-Yet-So)
