Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Language Features > Tropes > Flashcards

Tropes Flashcards

1
Q

Adynaton

A

Form of hyperbole that is so extreme it is impossible

“It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a sinner to get into heaven”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Allusion

A

Reference to another work of literature

“This place is like a Garden of Eden” alluding to Book of Genesis — specifically religious allusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Analogy

A

Comparison similar features of two different things

“The structure of the atom is like the solar system”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Anthimeria

A

Using a word in a grammatical form other than standard usage

“The new buds knuckled the naked branches”

Knuckled usually a noun but here is a verb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Anthropomorphism

A

Ascribing human traits to non-humans

(Personification metaphorically applies human traits to non-humans

But anthropomorphism is when non-humans act like humans)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Antonomasia

A

When an epithet replaces a proper name

“The Big Apple” for new york city

“The boy who lived” for harry potter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Cliché

A

When an expression is overused to the point of ineffectiveness

“Red as a rose”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Conceit

A

Extended and elaborate metaphor used throughout a poem or passage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Double entendre

A

A phrase which has two meanings

(One obvious , one hidden)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Dysphemism

A

Opposite to euphemism

Where an extreme phrase replaces a more moderate / accurate phrase

“She bodied that feature, she murdered everyone on that track”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Euphemism

A

Replacing a harsher word with a harmless one

“My brother passed away”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Pataphor / extended metaphor

A

A metaphor that elaborates betond a single phrase

And built across multiple lines and passages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Hypallage

A

When an adjective describes a noun it doesn’t literally refer to

“Restless night” — the night itself wasn’t restless , it was the person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Hyperbole

A
  • exaggeration

Source of criticism, mockery, or intrigue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Hypophora

A

When a writer poses a question, then immediately answers their question

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Innuendo

A

An implication to something that cannot be overtly said

Often implying something negative, politically incorrect, or sexual

17
Q

Verbal irony

A

When what is said is not what is meant

18
Q

Dramatic irony

A

When the audience knows something the character doesn’t

19
Q

Situational irony

A

When there is a big difference between the expected outcome of a situation and the actual outcome

20
Q

Irony

A

An inconsistancy in a straightforward statement undermined by its context

21
Q

Kenning

A

Circumlocution from compound description which replaces a single noun

He is the feeder of the bloody battle axe = he is a warrior

The clashing ring-feast of the darken day = midwinter festival

22
Q

Malaphor

A

Two common idioms or phrases used together
to make a new metaphorical meaning

“We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it” = we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it + burning bridges

23
Q

Meiosis

A

A euphemism that intentionally understates something

“The pond” for the Atlantic ocean

24
Q

Merism

A

Referencing something by describing its parts/descriptors

“Flesh and bone” = body

“Search every nook and cranny” = search everywhere

25
Q

Metaphor

A

Phrase in which one thing is said to be another thing

  • suggests a common quality betweeb them
26
Q

Metonymy

A

Where one thing refers to another thing

tongue meaning language

27
Q

Oxymoron

A

Phrase which juxtaposes contradictory elements in two-word formation

“A grin of bitterness”

“Saddness is beautiful”

“Beautiful dark twisted fantasy”

28
Q

Paradox

A

A statement with a contradiction

  • causes confusion & distraction to work out paradox

“I always lie”

29
Q

Paraprosdokian

A

A passage where the latter part of the sentence is subversive / unexpected which causes a reinterpretation of first part of passage

“If i am reading this graph correctly — i’d be very surprised”

30
Q

Pathetic fallacy

A
  • when the natural world reflect human events
  • ascription of human traits to inanimate nature (cruel sea)
31
Q

Personification

A

Type of metaphor where human characteristics are figuratively applied to animals/inanimate objects

“The rain danced on the rooftops”

32
Q

Rhetorical question

A

A question not literally meant to be answered

33
Q

Simile

A

Comparison of two things using like, as, than

34
Q

Synecdoche

A

Where a term of a whole is used to refer to the whole

“two heads are better than one”

Heads refers to people

35
Q

Triple entendre

A

Phrase with three meanings

36
Q

Ubi sunt

A

Poetry that poses questions about the transitory nature of life and inevitability of death

37
Q

Zeugma

A

Joining multiple parts of a sentence with a shared word

  • often used with one literal meaning & other figurative

“She stole a kiss and my heart”

38
Q

Zoomorphism

A

Applying animal characteristics to humans or gods

Language Features (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions