English language techniques Flashcards 5
(8 cards)
What is a simile?
a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different
What is sibilance?
Sibilance is a literary device that creates a hissing or whispering sound through the repetition of “s”, “sh”, “ch”, or “z” sounds.
- It can be used to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere, or to emphasize certain words or phrases.
What is symbolism?
Simply put, symbolism is the idea that things can represent other things. Symbolism can convey abstract ideas, themes, or emotions.
e.g.the color red — and conclude that it represents not the color red itself but something beyond it: for example, passion, or love, or devotion.
What is syntax (sentence structure).
Simple syntax refers to a basic sentence structure that follows an obvious subject-verb-object pattern, making the sentence clear and easy to understand.
What is a paradox?
a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.
“the uncertainty principle leads to all sorts of paradoxes, like the particles being in two places at once”
What is an oxymoron?
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. A classic example is “deafening silence,”
What is an antithesis?
Antithesis is a specific type of juxtaposition that uses direct opposites to emphasize their contrast.
To create antithesis from our landscape example, we’d use direct opposites like “sunshine and darkness”
What is incongruity?
the quality of being inconsistent, incompatible, not harmonious, or otherwise in disagreement with an accepted mode or standard.
