Literary Devices
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calling to higher power- can be religious/mythological Ex. "Oh Zeus", "O fair Hermes" | ||
stopping abruptly and leaving a statement unfinished Ex. "If I don't get into Stanford, I'll -" | ||
same beginning/middle/end | ||
vowels, beginning/middle/end Ex. "I lie in the wild woods like a lizard with a knowing eye." | ||
a name that refers to something else (association) Ex. News came from the White House (President), John Hancock (your name) | ||
whole used for part, part for whole Ex. I want some wheels. - car, All hands on deck. - yourself to help | ||
absence of conjunctions Ex. On his return, he received medals, book. | ||
use of conjunctions for effect Ex. I studied and studied and studied | ||
repetition at beginning of line of prose or poetry Ex. I like coffee, I like tea, I like mochas, mochas like me | ||
repetition at end of line of prose or poetry Ex. You are subdued, emotions are subdued, reason is subdued | ||
pleasing to ear, "good sound" | ||
displeasing to ear "bad sound" | ||
understatement Ex. Young lovers are kissing and an observer says, "I think they like each other" | ||
that which is the opposite Ex. good vs evil | ||
brief recounting of an episode/event | ||
arrangement of repeated words in a pattern, usually brief, summarizes key idea Ex. XY YX | ||
quotation or aphorism at beginning of a literary work | ||
brief witty statement about life | ||
an exaggerated imitation of a serious work for numerous purposes | ||
work that reveals a critical attitude toward human behavior - purpose is to draw attention to societal ills. Target large groups or concepts rather than individuals | ||
the use of a word, phrase, or image in a way not intended by its normal signification | ||
a change in standard word order or pattern | ||
a scheme in which normal word order is changed for emphasis Ex. "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" - chiasmus | ||
a trope composed of exaggerated words or ideals used for emphasis and not to be taken literally Ex. I've told you a million times not to call me a liar. | ||
a trope in which a word or phrase is used to mean the opposite of its literal meaning Ex. I just love scrubbing the floor | ||
a trope that contains two contradictory terms Ex. Bill is a cheerful person | ||
a trope in which one substitutes a descriptive word or phrase for a proper noun Ex. The big man upstairs hears your prayers | ||
a trope in which human qualities or abilities are assigned to abstractions or inanimate objects Ex. Integrity thumbs its nose at pomposity | ||
a play on words in which a homophone is repeated but used in a different sense Ex. She was always game for any game | ||
a trope in which the one asks a leading question Ex. With all the violence on tv today, is it any wonder kids bring guns to school? | ||
a trope in which one states a comparison between two things that are not alike but have similarities Ex. Her eyes are as blue as a robin's egg | ||
a statement appears to contradict itself Ex. If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love | ||
subject at beginning of sentence | ||
subject at the end of sentence (close to the period) |