Terms Flashcards
Reference to a famous person
Allusion
Repeating of the first sound in a word
Alliteration
Repetition of a word or words at the beginning of sentences or clauses
Anaphora
Short story, usually within a larger text (brief narrative)
Anecdote
“Reverse parallelism”, repeated grammatical ideas in reverse order, often to show contrast
Antimetabole
Contrasts 2 ideas by juxtaposing them (often with parallel structure)
Antithesis
Leaving conjunctions out to give the sense of incompleteness
Asyndeton
An extended metaphor which explores metaphoric ideas
Conceit
Sentence beginning with an independent clause and add dependent clauses
Cumulative sentence
A better way of saying something; a pleasant metaphor for something unpleasant
Euphemism
Writing not meant to be take literally
Figurative language
Deliberate exaggeration of a person, thing, quality, event to emphasize a point external to the object of exaggeration
Hyperbole
Reversing the customary order of elements in a sentence or phrase; used effectively in many cases such as posing a question
Inversion
The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect
Juxtaposition
Another form of metaphor, the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with the subject with it is to be compared
Metonymy
A paradox reduced to two words; used for effect, complexity, emphasis, or wit
Oxymoron
A statement that seems to contradict itself but that turns out to have a rational meaning
Paradox
A use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
Paralepsis
Recurrent syntacil similarity. Several parts of the sentences are expressed similarly to show that the ideas I the parts or sentences are equal importance.
Parallelism
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence; the writer begins with subordinate elements and postpones the main clause
Periodic sentence
The use of a conjunction between each word, phrase, or clause
Polysyndeton
Meant not to be answered; answer is obvious and desired; used for effect, emphasis, or provacatation, or for drawing a conclusion statement from the facts at hand
Rhetorical sentence
Quoting a maxim or wise saying to apply a general truth to the situation; concluding or summing foregoing material by offering a single, pithy statement of general wisdom
Sententia
Includes several similar rhetorical devices, all involving grammatically correct linkage of two or more parts of speech by another part of speech
Zeugma
