Stylistic features Flashcards
Plosive alliteration
P/T/C - generally harsh or violent sounding
Nasal alliteration
M/N - generally solemn, mournful or slow
Fricative alliteration
F - generally harsh/forceful or creating a sense of swift motion
Sibilance
S alliteration - generally sinister or harsh
Assonance
Repetition of vowel sounds
Hyberbaton
Manipulation of the usual word order, often to emphasise a particular word or to separate words that would usually be next to each other
Anaphora
Repetition of a word at the beginning of a line or clause
Polyptoton
Repetition of different forms of the same word
Ellipsis
Omission of a word, often of the verb “to be,” generally draws attention to the other words in the clause and creates a sense of pace
Asyndeton
Omission of “and” - creates a sense of pace
Polysyndeton
Repeated use of “and” - creates a sense of things building up / a lot of things going on
Tricolon
A three-part list / three successive clauses - usually builds towards the final of the three
Tricolon crescens
A tricolon where the clauses get successively longer
Diction
Striking choice of words
Rhetorical question
A question that is asked to make a point, without necessarily expecting an answer
Pleonasm/doublet
Saying two things when you could just say one (eg his behaviour was cruel and mean - generally emphasises the point that is bein made)
Juxtaposition
The placement of two words directly next to each other, often to draw out a contrast or similarity
Chiasmus
Words arranged in an ABBA structure - often results either in the BB words being juxtaposed or the AA words being separated, or simply emphasising the meaning of the clause
Synchesis
Words interlocked in an ABAB structure - often creates a sense of balance, contrast or a parallel being drawn
Antithesis
A strong contrast drawn between two things or concepts
Hyperbole
Exaggeration
Zeugma
When one verb governs two nouns, often meaning something different in relation to each of them (eg she broke his car and his heart) - often emphasises the more metaphorical of the two meanings
Litotes
A double negative which in latin reinforces the negative (eg nullam amphoram non portavit = she was not carrying any jug)
Variatio
Using a variety of different ways of referring to something to create interest (eg using lots of different words for “hot” or changing the wording of a repeated phrase slightly each time)
