Week 1 - Rhetorical Devices Vocab Flashcards
‘Parallelism’ def.
The similarity of structure in a pair or series of related words, phrases, or clauses.
Explain ‘Parrallelism’
This basic principle of grammar or rhetoric demands that equivalent things _ forth in coordinate grammatical structures: nouns with nouns, infinitives with infinitives, and adverb clauses with adverb clauses.
‘Parallelism’ examples
She likes cooking, jogging, and reading, (Adverb)
Every time you smile at someone, it is an act of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. (Nouns)
‘Antithesis’ def.
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure.
Explain ‘Antithesis’
The contrast may be in words or in ideas or both. When used well, antithesis can be very effective, even witty.
‘Antithesis’ examples
Man proposes. God disposes.
Love is an ideal thing; marriage is a real thing.
‘Ellipsis’ def.
The deliberate omission of a word or of words which are already implied by the context.
Explain ‘Ellipsis’
It can be used on occasion for cliches.
‘Ellipsis’ examples
Don’t count your chickens until…
“It was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows broke…” (Hemingway)
‘Asyndeton’ def.
The deliberate omission of conjunctions between a series of related clauses
Explain ‘Asyndeton’
The effect of this device is to produce a hurried rhythm in the sentence. This builds momentum and tension.
‘Asyndeton’ examples
Friends for now, forever.
The picnic had pears, Pepsi, crackers, cheese, potato salad.
‘Polysyndeton’ def.
The deliberate uses of many conjunctions.
Explain ‘Polysyndeton’
The effect is to slow down the rhythm of the sentence.
‘Polysyndeton’ examples.
The picnic had pears, and Pepsi, and crackers, and cheese and potato salad.
“It was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights and windows broke…” (Hemingway)
