linguistic techniques

Question 1

the ones you should know anyways

Answer 1

• rhetoric - pathos, ethos, logos
• alliteration; words w same letter or sound
• metaphor
• anadiplosis
• hyperbole, litotes
• anaphora
• hyperbaton; the word arrangment in a sentence is different than normal. could be inverted or any other order
• hypophora
• chiasmus; inverted parallel clauses
• onomatopoeia
• oxymoron
• parallelism
• repetition

Question 2

anacoluthon

Answer 2

• syntactic deviation or incoherency
• grammatical flow of sentences is interrupted to begin more sentences
• the sentence suddenly stops following its expected path.
• Dashes (or ellipses, abrupt sentence breaks, and self-interruptions) often signal an anacoluthon, but they aren’t the anacoluthon itself. Anacoluthon is the actual disruption in grammatical structure—the moment where the expected syntax breaks down or shifts unexpectedly.

Question 3

antanaclasis

Answer 3

repetition of a word or phrase, but the second occurrence uses it in a different/contrasting meaning

Question 4

antiphrasis

Answer 4

usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to generally accepted meaning

saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that its obvious what the true intention is; thus the phrase is employed in a way that is opposite to its literal meaning

Question 5

antonomasia

Answer 5

using an epithet/title in place of a proper name

Question 6

apophasis

Answer 6

raising of an issue by claiming not to raise or mention it

Question 7

aporia

Answer 7

speaker expresses real or intended doubt for rhetorical effect, to prove a point. often takes the form of a question, to denote uncertainty and occurs frequently in speeches

EG: the famous Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem which begins, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Browning’s pretense that she might not remember all “the ways” is what gives her an opportunity to enumerate them.

Question 8

cacophony

Answer 8

harsh sounds

Question 9

chiasmus

Answer 9

inverted parallel phrases

Question 10

dysphemism

Answer 10

opposite of euphemism, making it seem worse

Question 11

hyperbaton

Answer 11

changing of word order to prove point and lend emphasis

Question 12

hypophora

Answer 12

speaker immediately answering question speak posed, type of rhetorical question

Question 13

litotes

Answer 13

understatement by using the negative to reference the positives

‘not a bad singer’

Question 14

pleonasm

Answer 14

redundancy, using more words than necessary

Question 15

hypallage

Answer 15

when words in a sentence are swapped around in a way that changes their usual relationship. The most common type is when a describing word (adjective) is linked to the wrong thing grammatically, even though it makes sense in meaning.

eg:
“A sleepless night” → The night itself isn’t sleepless, but the person experiencing it is.
“A happy morning” → The morning isn’t happy; the people enjoying it are.

This kind of hypallage is also called a transferred epithet because the adjective is describing something indirectly, often making the sentence more poetic or vivid.

Question 16

syllepsis/zeugma

Answer 16

figure of speech in which a single phrase or word joins different parts of a sentence

When he asked ‘What in heaven?’ she made no reply, up her mind, and a dash for the door.

When the meaning of a verb varies for following nouns there is an order for the nouns: the first takes the most literal meaning of the verb, followed by noun/s taking the more figurative verb meanings:

“The boy swallowed milk and kisses,” as contrasted with “The boy swallowed kisses and milk”.

The opposite process tends to create a comic effect: “and she feeds me love and tenderness and macaroons.”

Question 17

synecdoche

metonymy

Answer 17

a part is used to refer to the whole . allows for unique expression of that whole (to say, object or idea)

object or idea takes the place of another with which it has a close association. is a way of replacing an object with something related to it instead of what is actually meant. enables writers to express in a different way by using a closely related word or thought. Therefore, this is a method for writers to vary their expression and produce an effect for the reader.

Question 18

congeries

Answer 18

piling up of words or phrases in a listing format, often for irony

Question 19

cumulative sentence

Answer 19

starts with an ind clause, then has an additional or modifying one

often used for clarification, contextualising

eg i ran to the store to buy milk, bread, and grapes.
- ‘i ran to the store’ being the ind clause

Question 20

epistrophe

Answer 20

opposite of anaphora; word or phrase is repeated at the end of a sentence. used for emphasis

Question 21

isocolon

Answer 21

two+ phrases have similar structure, rhythm and length

Question 22

poly/asyndeton

Answer 22

poly: repeated use of conjunctions

asy: the omission of conjunctions for dramatic effect

Question 23

euphemism

Answer 23

subtle phrasing to soften harsh realities

opposite of dysphemism

Question 24

colloquial language

Answer 24

use of slang and dialect

Question 25

parataxis

Answer 25

short simple sentences placed together without conjunctions creating fast paced rhythm used for impact Parataxis can be used for both clauses and sentences! It’s a stylistic choice where clauses or sentences are placed side by side without using conjunctions (or with minimal use), giving a sense of equal weight and directness.

Question 26

hypotaxis

Answer 26

use of subordinate clause to create complexity clauses are arranged in a hierarchical, dependent manner, showing a clear logical relationship between them. It often involves subordinate clauses that provide explanations, conditions, reasons, or elaborations, making the sentence complex and structured. EG “*Because* I was late, I missed the beginning of the lecture.”,, “*Although* she was exhausted, she continued working *because* she had a deadline to meet.” in Othello’s speech, uses hypotaxis to reflect his thoughtful, controlled, and sometimes conflicted mind. Eg: _She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them._ demonstrates a rational approach to love. _“Blessed fig’s-end! The wine she drinks is made of grapes: if she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor."_ The conditional clause “if she had been blessed” subordinates the idea that Desdemona’s love is unnatural. The hypotactic structure makes Iago’s logic seem convincing, even though it’s deceptive

Question 27

parenthesis

Answer 27

interruptions in sentences to add detail or commentary

Question 28

dependent/subordinate clause

Answer 28

group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought/meaning. it cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be connected to an independent clause to make sense.

Question 29

periodic sentence

Answer 29

witholds its main clause until end for dramatic effect the main clause or the main point comes at the end, after one or more subordinate clauses or phrases. It creates a sense of suspense or buildup because the meaning is not clear until the final clause.

Question 30

loose sentence

Answer 30

main clause comes first, opposite of periodic

Question 31

elliptical sentence

Answer 31

missing words

Question 32

assonance consonance

Answer 32

rep of vowel sounds rep of consonant sounds

Question 33

chiasmus

Answer 33

a reversal in structure of phrases

Question 34

idiolect

Answer 34

someones individual way of speaking

Question 35

hedges & modality

Answer 35

words expressing uncertainty

Question 36

deixis

Answer 36

words eg this/that depends on context there is 1. *person* - we, our, us - depnds on whos there, whos saying it and why 2. *temporal* - references to time depend on context of piece 3. *spatial* - eg come here, depends on where whos saying it is 4. *discourse* - making references to other parts of the sentence 5. *social* - formal addresses eg show defference and formality

Question 37

discourse markers

Answer 37

g

Question 38

diction and contrast in diction

Answer 38

g

Question 39

circumlocution

Answer 39

overly elaborate language to avoid directness

Question 40

Anastrophe

Answer 40

Anastrophe is a figure of speech wherein the traditional sentence structure is reversed. So a typical verb-subject-adjective sentence such as “Are you ready?” becomes a Yoda-esque adjective-verb-subject question: “Ready, are you?” Or a standard adjective-noun pairing like “tall mountain” becomes “mountain tall.”

Question 41

Erotesis

Answer 41

Erotesis is a close cousin of the rhetorical question. Rather than a question asked without expectation of an answer, this is when the question (and the asker) confidently expects a response that is either negative or affirmative. Example: “Do you then really think that you have committed your follies in order to spare your son them?” — Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Question 42

Eutrepismus

Answer 42

stating your points in a numbered list, so as to structure your speech, or dialogue.

Question 43

Euphony

Answer 43

Pleasing sound patterns

Question 44

Correlative conjunction

Answer 44

Either or Neither nor

Question 45

Metanoia

Answer 45

Definition: Correcting or softening a statement. Effect: Adds nuance or humility. Example: He was the best writer — no, the most visionary writer — of his generation.

Question 46

Aposiopesis

Answer 46

Definition: A deliberate breaking off of a sentence, leaving it unfinished. Effect: Suggests overwhelming emotion, threat, or the unspeakable. “Aposiopesis” = emotional cut-off “Anacoluthon” = thought-train derailment

Question 47

Semiotics

Answer 47

Study of symbols and signs and how visual communication works Media uses signs to communicate messages

Question 48

Relays

Answer 48

Advancing written meaning often with visual communication like images

Question 49

Anchorage

Answer 49

Text interacting with image

Question 50

Procatalepsis

Answer 50

**When a speaker anticipates an objection or counterargument and addresses it before the audience can raise it.** **Strengthens argument by showing awareness of opposing views** - Makes the speaker appear rational, prepared, and persuasive - Helps control the flow of the discourse and pre-empt resistance - Can be used to undermine opposing positions without waiting for interruption - An ethos-building strategy (showing credibility through fairness or foresight)

Question 51

Satire

Answer 51

Exposing and ridiculing flaws in an individual or a society

Question 52

Horatian satire

Answer 52

Mild clever witty Intends to heal situation with smiles

Question 53

Juvenelian satire

Answer 53

Employed to ridicule and attack political figure It is contemptuous, abrasive, expresses anger, outraged Techniques: irony, sarcasm, moral indignation, personal invective (use of rhetorical skill to attack with abrasive language)

Question 54

(illustrative analysis) graphic weight

Answer 54

the way some images draw the eye more than others. due to illustration making it more eye catching eg thicker lines, unique shading

Question 55

(illustrative analysis) panel

Answer 55

individual frame/ single drawing in the multi panel

Question 56

open panel full page spread special effects lettering motion strokes

Answer 56

who knows, theyre just there

Question 57

frame

Answer 57

the lines and borders that contain the panel

Question 58

shading and colour

Answer 58

lends weight, shows feelings and moods

Question 59

gutter

Answer 59

space between framed panels, indicates a shift (panel to panel); guides readers on narrative journey

Question 60

bleed

Answer 60

image that extends to +/ beyond the end of th page, no frame

Question 61

layout

Answer 61

how panels are arranged on a page, their relative size etc

Question 62

fore/mid/background

Answer 62

they provide story support and establish mood. subtextual information showing the main focus, which can be in any ground

Question 63

captions

Answer 63

boxes containing text elements

Question 64

splash page

Answer 64

introduces different themes; like the chapter page