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Literature - Stylistic Device

Here you will learn some English words related to stylistic devices such as "allegory", "metaphor", and "paradox".

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Words Related to Literature

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

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a literary term used to describe a character's name that suggests or implies something about their personality, behavior, or role in the story

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symbol
[noun]

something that represents an idea, quality, or concept beyond its literal meaning

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allegory
[noun]

a story, poem, etc. in which the characters and events are used as symbols to convey moral or political lessons

Ex: The children 's book uses an allegory to teach lessons about friendship and teamwork through a story about a group of animals working together .
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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: The advertising slogan 's alliteration made it memorable and catchy .
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allusion
[noun]

a statement that implies or indirectly mentions something or someone else, especially as a literary device

Ex: The poet 's allusion to Icarus served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overambition and hubris .
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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

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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

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pun
[noun]

a clever or amusing use of words that takes advantage of the multiple meanings or interpretations that it has

Ex: The pun in the advertisement was so funny that it went viral on social media .
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a rhetorical device in which a word is repeated, but with a different meaning each time

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a figure of speech in which two ideas or concepts are arranged in parallel clauses, words, or sentences to express a contrast

Ex: " Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country " - John F. Kennedy employed antithesis to make a patriotic appeal .
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apophasis
[noun]

a rhetorical device that involves denying or dismissing something while actually acknowledging or emphasizing it

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a way of using words to create a special effect or meaning by going beyond their literal interpretation

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simile
[noun]

a word or phrase that compares two things or people, highlighting the similarities, often introduced by 'like' or 'as'

Ex: The poet 's use of a simile comparing the stars to diamonds in the sky adds a touch of beauty and sparkle to the nighttime landscape .
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metaphor
[noun]

a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things to highlight their similarities and convey a deeper meaning

Ex: Her speech was filled with powerful metaphors that moved the audience .
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a figure of speech in which a part of something represents the whole or vice versa

Ex: The term " mouths to feed " is an example of synecdoche, where " mouths " are used to represent people who need to be fed , typically in the context of providing for a family .
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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

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a literary device where human qualities or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, objects, or ideas

Ex: She used personification to depict the flowers as dancing in the breeze .
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imagery
[noun]

the figurative language in literature by which the audience can form vivid mental images

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paradox
[noun]

a logically contradictory statement that might actually be true

Ex: The famous paradox of Schrödinger 's cat illustrates the complexity of quantum mechanics .
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motif
[noun]

a subject, idea, or phrase that is repeatedly used in a literary work

Ex: The motif of " nature versus civilization " serves as a central theme in the story , highlighting the tension between humanity 's primal instincts and societal norms .
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assonance
[noun]

the use of similar vowels close to each other in nonrhyming syllables as a literary device

Ex: His writing style features assonance to add harmony to his prose .
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a literary device that refers to the repetition of consonant sounds, particularly at the end of words, to create a pleasing or rhythmic effect in a sentence or phrase

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a word that mimics the sound it represents

Ex: The use of onomatopoeia adds vividness and immediacy to descriptive writing .
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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

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a literary device in which the speaker says something but means the opposite, often for humorous or sarcastic effect

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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

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a literary technique by which the audience is more aware of the significance of the words or actions of the story than characters are

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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

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asyndeton
[noun]

a literary device where conjunctions are omitted between clauses or phrases in a sentence

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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

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cacophony
[noun]

a literary device that uses a mixture of unpleasant, inharmonious, and harsh sounds to show disorder or chaos

Ex: The cacophony of sounds in the short story mirrored the protagonist 's descent into madness , with each noise amplifying their sense of paranoia and fear .
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a rhetorical device that involves a series of phrases or clauses that are arranged in a descending order of importance or emphasis

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chiasmus
[noun]

a rhetorical figure in which words, grammatical structures or concepts are repeated in a reverse order in successive phrases

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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

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derision
[noun]

mockery expressed through words or actions in a biting or sarcastic manner

Ex: The film was not a sincere tribute but a piece of derision, mocking the original 's intent .
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diacope
[noun]

the repetition of a word or phrase with only a few words in between, usually to emphasize or create a dramatic effect

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diasyrmus
[noun]

a rhetorical device in which an author or speaker ridicules or denounces an opponent's argument, typically by using sarcasm or irony

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enthymeme
[noun]

a rhetorical device that involves making a conclusion based on an assumption that is not explicitly stated

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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

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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

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epizeuxis
[noun]

a figure of speech where a word or a phrase is repeated in quick succession for emphasis or intensity

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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

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the act of giving a clue of the future events to the audience in advance while narrating a story

Ex: The mysterious stranger's ominous warning served as foreshadowing for the danger lurking ahead.
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hyperbole
[noun]

a technique used in speech and writing to exaggerate the extent of something

Ex: The politician 's speech was rife with hyperbole, promising to " solve all of society 's problems overnight " if elected .
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hypophora
[noun]

a rhetorical device in which an author raises a question, and provides an answer right away

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innuendo
[noun]

a vague and allusive hint, especially a disapproving or suggestive one

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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

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oxymoron
[noun]

a figure of speech that combines two contradictory or contrasting terms to create a unique expression

Ex: The poet 's use of " cruel kindness " as an oxymoron underscores the paradoxical nature of actions meant to help but causing pain .
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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

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a deliberate repetition of a conjunction in a phrase, used as a literary trope

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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

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rhyme
[noun]

agreement between the sound or the ending of a word and another word

Ex: The poet carefully chose words with rhymes that enhanced the meaning .
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rhythm
[noun]

a strong repeated pattern of musical notes or sounds

Ex: The marching band followed a precise rhythm.
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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

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symploce
[noun]

a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of words or phrases at the beginning and end of successive clauses or sentences

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a figure of speech in which the speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it actually is

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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: The English teacher explained zeugma by illustrating how one verb could link both a literal and a figurative object in a sentence .
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a literary and rhetorical device that involves repeating words or phrases in successive clauses or sentences, but in reverse order

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