Literary/rhetorical devices
Alliteration: When two or more words that start with the same
sound are used repeatedly in a phrase or a sentence.
Ex: Coca-Cola.
Allusion: A reference to another work of literature, person, or
event. Use of common knowledge.
Ex: Chocolate is his Kryptonite. In this example, the word
"kryptonite" alludes to, or hints at, the hero Superman.
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or a small group of words (2)
at the beginning of each sentence.
Ex: I Have a Dream that one day this nation will rise up, I have a
dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia
Calambur (spanish): Combining two words to make a new one
(play on words).
Ex: Hilos cruzados --> Y los cruzados
Comprobatio: Complimenting the audience in the hopes that they
will look kindlier on your case.
Ex: Ladies and gentlemen...
Diazeugma: When several phrases, clauses or sentences are
governed by the same word (noun).
Ex: The university is much more than learning, is much more than
attending the classes, much more than grades. → university
governs the sentences.
Epistrophe: The repetition of a word or a small group of words (2)
at the end of each sentence.
, Ex: There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem.
There is no Northern problem. There is only an American
problem.
Euphemism: An indirect, less offensive way of saying something
that is considered unpleasant.
Ex: "Passed away" instead of "died"
Homonyms: Two words that sound alike and are spelled alike but
have different meanings.
Ex: Pen - This can mean both "a holding area for animals" and "a
writing instrument."
Hyperbaton: When the words are not arranged in the correct
order. (Talking like Yoda)
Ex: This I must see.
Hypophora: The set of a question and its answer → when you
answer a rhetorical question.
Ex: Should students wear uniforms to school? The answer is yes.
Inclusive Language: Using the first person of plural, "we". It
erases any barrier between reader and writer.
Ex: "We are... We have..."
Metaphor: A comparison without using like or as.
Ex: "It's raining cats and dogs" --> Metaphor for "It's raining a lot."
Onomatopoeia: Reproducing sound in words.
Ex: Boom, Pow, Clap, Boing...
Oxymoron: Two words that are opposite but together form a
concept.
Ex: Dark light, loud silence.
Alliteration: When two or more words that start with the same
sound are used repeatedly in a phrase or a sentence.
Ex: Coca-Cola.
Allusion: A reference to another work of literature, person, or
event. Use of common knowledge.
Ex: Chocolate is his Kryptonite. In this example, the word
"kryptonite" alludes to, or hints at, the hero Superman.
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or a small group of words (2)
at the beginning of each sentence.
Ex: I Have a Dream that one day this nation will rise up, I have a
dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia
Calambur (spanish): Combining two words to make a new one
(play on words).
Ex: Hilos cruzados --> Y los cruzados
Comprobatio: Complimenting the audience in the hopes that they
will look kindlier on your case.
Ex: Ladies and gentlemen...
Diazeugma: When several phrases, clauses or sentences are
governed by the same word (noun).
Ex: The university is much more than learning, is much more than
attending the classes, much more than grades. → university
governs the sentences.
Epistrophe: The repetition of a word or a small group of words (2)
at the end of each sentence.
, Ex: There is no Negro problem. There is no Southern problem.
There is no Northern problem. There is only an American
problem.
Euphemism: An indirect, less offensive way of saying something
that is considered unpleasant.
Ex: "Passed away" instead of "died"
Homonyms: Two words that sound alike and are spelled alike but
have different meanings.
Ex: Pen - This can mean both "a holding area for animals" and "a
writing instrument."
Hyperbaton: When the words are not arranged in the correct
order. (Talking like Yoda)
Ex: This I must see.
Hypophora: The set of a question and its answer → when you
answer a rhetorical question.
Ex: Should students wear uniforms to school? The answer is yes.
Inclusive Language: Using the first person of plural, "we". It
erases any barrier between reader and writer.
Ex: "We are... We have..."
Metaphor: A comparison without using like or as.
Ex: "It's raining cats and dogs" --> Metaphor for "It's raining a lot."
Onomatopoeia: Reproducing sound in words.
Ex: Boom, Pow, Clap, Boing...
Oxymoron: Two words that are opposite but together form a
concept.
Ex: Dark light, loud silence.
