apostrophe
[noun]
a figure of speech in which the speaker addresses a person, abstract idea, object, or thing that is not present or cannot respond as if it could respond
Literature - Stylistic Device
Here you will learn some English words related to stylistic devices such as "allegory", "metaphor", and "paradox".
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charactonym
[noun]
a literary term used to describe a character's name that suggests or implies something about their personality, behavior, or role in the story
allegory
[noun]
a specific story, artwork, or performance that embodies symbolic representation of deeper truths
Ex:
The
sculpture
of
blindfolded
Justice
is
an
allegory
.
alliteration
[noun]
the use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of the words in a verse or sentence, used as a literary device
Ex:
allusion
[noun]
a statement that implies or indirectly mentions something or someone else, especially as a literary device
Ex:
In
his
speech
,
he
made
an
allusion
to
the
Trojan War
,
drawing
a
parallel
between
their
struggle
and
that
of
ancient
heroes
.
amplification
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which the writer repeats a word or phrase while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize or clarify the meaning of the original statement
anadiplosis
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase at the end of one clause or sentence is repeated at the beginning of the next clause or sentence
pun
[noun]
a clever or amusing use of words that takes advantage of the multiple meanings or interpretations that it has
Ex:
"
I
used to
be
a
baker
,
but
I
could
n't
make
enough
dough
,
"
is
a
classic
pun
.
antanaclasis
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which a word is repeated, but with a different meaning each time
antithesis
[noun]
a rhetorical device that places contrasting ideas or words in parallel structure to highlight their opposition and create a sense of balance
Ex:
In
her
keynote
she
contrasted
wealth
and
poverty
—
an
antithesis
that
underscored
economic
inequality
.
apophasis
[noun]
a rhetorical device that involves denying or dismissing something while actually acknowledging or emphasizing it
figure of speech
[noun]
a way of using words to create a special effect or meaning by going beyond their literal interpretation
simile
[noun]
a word or phrase that compares two things or people, highlighting the similarities, often introduced by 'like' or 'as'
Ex:
Through
the
simile
"
as
brave
as
a
lion
,
"
the
writer
characterizes
the
hero
's
courage
and
valor
in the face of
danger
.
metaphor
[noun]
a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things to highlight their similarities and convey a deeper meaning
Ex:
His
writing style
relies
heavily
on
vivid
metaphors
and
imagery
.
synecdoche
[noun]
a figure of speech in which a part of something represents the whole or vice versa
Ex:
"
The
White House
"
is
often
used
as
synecdoche
to
refer to
the
entire
United States
government
,
emphasizing
the
executive branch
's
authority
and
power
.
metonymy
[noun]
a figure of speech in which a name of something is used instead of another, the two of which are closely associated or one is an attribute of the other
personification
[noun]
a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, objects, or ideas
Ex:
The
author
used
personification
to
describe
the
trees
whispering
in
the
forest
.
imagery
[noun]
the figurative language in literature by which the audience can form vivid mental images
paradox
[noun]
a logically contradictory statement that might actually be true
Ex:
It
’s
a
paradox
that
standing
is
more
tiring
than
walking
,
even though
walking
requires
more
movement
.
motif
[noun]
a subject, idea, or phrase that is repeatedly used in a literary work
Ex:
Through
the
motif
of
the
"
fall
from
grace
,
"
the
author
explores
the
consequences
of
hubris
and
the
fragility
of
human
ambition
.
assonance
[noun]
the use of similar vowels close to each other in nonrhyming syllables as a literary device
Ex:
Assonance
can
enhance
the
mood
of
a
poem
when
used
effectively
.
consonance
[noun]
a poetic technique involving repeated consonant sounds, especially at word endings
Ex:
Consonance
enriched
the
line
:
"
blank
and
think
and
tank
.
"
irony
[noun]
a literary device that reveals a contrast between what appears to be true and what actually is true, often creating unexpected or surprising effects
verbal irony
[noun]
a literary device in which the speaker says something but means the opposite, often for humorous or sarcastic effect
situational irony
[noun]
a literary device in which events or circumstances within a story are contrary to what one would expect, often leading to an unexpected outcome or twist
dramatic irony
[noun]
a literary technique by which the audience is more aware of the significance of the words or actions of the story than characters are
aporia
[noun]
a rhetorical device where a speaker or writer shows doubt or uncertainty about a topic to engage the audience or highlight an argument
asyndeton
[noun]
a literary device where conjunctions are omitted between clauses or phrases in a sentence
auxesis
[noun]
a literary device that involves the use of exaggeration to create a dramatic or emotional effect, often used to build tension or emphasize the importance of something
cacophony
[noun]
a literary device that uses a mixture of unpleasant, inharmonious, and harsh sounds to show disorder or chaos
Ex:
The
poet
used
cacophony
to
evoke
the
chaos
and
confusion
of
war
,
with
words
clashing
against
each other
like
opposing
armies
on
the
battlefield
.
catacosmesis
[noun]
a rhetorical device that involves a series of phrases or clauses that are arranged in a descending order of importance or emphasis
chiasmus
[noun]
a rhetorical figure in which words, grammatical structures or concepts are repeated in a reverse order in successive phrases
conduplicatio
[noun]
a writing technique that uses the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences to create emphasis or persuade the audience
derision
[noun]
mockery expressed through words or actions in a biting or sarcastic manner
Ex:
His
comments
,
full
of
derision
,
hurt
the
feelings
of
many
in
the
room
.
diacope
[noun]
the repetition of a word or phrase with only a few words in between, usually to emphasize or create a dramatic effect
diasyrmus
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which an author or speaker ridicules or denounces an opponent's argument, typically by using sarcasm or irony
enthymeme
[noun]
a rhetorical device that involves making a conclusion based on an assumption that is not explicitly stated
epanalepsis
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence or clause is repeated at the end of the same sentence or clause
epistrophe
[noun]
a rhetorical technique that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences to create emphasis or reinforce a point
epizeuxis
[noun]
a figure of speech where a word or a phrase is repeated in quick succession for emphasis or intensity
figurative language
[noun]
the use of words and expressions that are not meant to be taken literally, but rather to create a vivid, imaginative image or effect in the reader's mind
foreshadowing
[noun]
the act of giving a clue of the future events to the audience in advance while narrating a story
Ex:
The
dark
storm clouds
gathering
on
the
horizon
were
a
clear
foreshadowing
of
the
impending
danger
.
hyperbole
[noun]
a technique used in speech and writing to exaggerate the extent of something
Ex:
The
comedian
's
routine
was
full
of
hyperbole
,
exaggerating
everyday
situations
to
absurd
proportions
for
comedic
effect
.
hypophora
[noun]
a rhetorical device in which an author raises a question, and provides an answer right away
metanoia
[noun]
a figure of speech that involves a self-correction or a revision of what has just been said, usually to strengthen or emphasize the speaker's argument or to make a point more clearly
oxymoron
[noun]
a figure of speech that combines two contradictory or contrasting terms to create a unique expression
Ex:
The
term
"
jumbo
shrimp
"
is
a
classic
example
of
an
oxymoron
,
combining
contradictory
ideas
of
size
and
smallness
.
pleonasm
[noun]
(linguistics) the redundant use of words in a way that might be considered a fault of style, or to create an emphatic effect
procatalepsis
[noun]
a rhetorical strategy in which the speaker or writer anticipates an objection or counterargument from the audience and addresses it before it can be raised
rhyme
[noun]
agreement between the sound or the ending of a word and another word
Ex:
The
children
enjoyed
making up
rhymes
during
their
playtime
.
rhythm
[noun]
a strong repeated pattern of musical notes or sounds
Ex:
The
rhythm
of
the
song
made
everyone
want
to
dance
.
syllepsis
[noun]
a figure of speech where a word is used in the same sentence with two or more other words, but with different meanings
symploce
[noun]
a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning and end of successive clauses or sentences
understatement
[noun]
a figure of speech in which the speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it actually is
zeugma
[noun]
the use of a word with two senses each of which apply to a different word in a sentence, as a figure of speech
Ex:
antimetabole
[noun]
a literary and rhetorical device that involves repeating words or phrases in successive clauses or sentences, but in reverse order