Literary and Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
(260 cards)
1
Q
Active Voice
A
The subject of the sentence performs the actions. This is a more direct and preferred style of the writing in most cases.
2
Q
Allusion
A
An indirect reference to something with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.
3
Q
Alter-ego
A
A character that is used by the author to speak the author’s own thoughts; when an author
speaks directly to the audience through a character.
4
Q
Anecdote
A
A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non
fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
5
Q
Antecedent
A
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally
asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.
6
Q
Classicism
A
Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional
themes and structures
7
Q
Comic relief
A
When a humorous scene is inserted into a serious story, in order to lighten the mood
somewhat.
8
Q
Diction
A
Word choice, particularly as an element of style.
9
Q
Colloquial
A
Ordinary or familiar type of conversation.
10
Q
Connotation
A
the associations suggested by a
word; implied meaning rather than literal meaning.
11
Q
Denotations
A
The literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.
12
Q
Jargon
A
The diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity.
13
Q
Vernacular
A
- Language or dialect of a particular country.
- Language or dialect of a regional clan or group.
- Plain everyday speech
14
Q
Didactic
A
A term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or
provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.
15
Q
Adage
A
A folk saying with a lesson.
16
Q
Allegory
A
A story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent
qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an
abstraction or a truth.
17
Q
Aphorism
A
A terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. An aphorism
can be a memorable summation of the author’s point.
18
Q
Ellipsis
A
The deliberate omission of a word or phrase from prose done for effect by the author.
19
Q
Euphemism
A
A more agreeable or less offensive substitute for generally unpleasant words or concepts.
20
Q
Figurative Language
A
writing that is not meant to be taken literally
21
Q
Analogy
A
An analogy is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables.
22
Q
Hyperbole
A
Exaggeration
23
Q
Idiom
A
A common, often used expression that doesn’t make sense if you take it literally.
24
Q
Metaphor
A
Making an implied comparison, not using “like,” as,” or other such words.
25
Metonymy
Replacing an actual word or idea, with a related word or concept.
26
Synecdoche
A kind of metonymy when a whole is represented by naming one of its
parts, or vice versa.
27
Simile
Using words such as “like” or “as” to make a direct comparison between two very
different things.
28
Active voice example
“Anthony drove while Toni searched for the house.”
29
Allusion example
(usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events)
30
Alter-ego example
. In Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest, Shakespeare talks to his audience about his own upcoming retirement, through the main character in the play, Prospero.
31
Anecdote example
a group of coworkers are discussing pets, and one coworker tells a story about how her cat comes downstairs at only a certain time of the night
32
Antecedent example
“If I could command the wealth of all the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it.” An AP question might read: "What is the antecedent for "it"?
33
Classicism example
feelings of inferiority to higher-class
34
Comic relief example
The “gatekeeper scene” in Macbeth
35
Diction example
formal or informal, ornate or plain
36
Colloquialism example
Bo bananas, or go nuts – go insane or be very angry.
37
Connotation example
“policeman,” “cop,” and “The Man” all denote the same literal meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.
38
Denotation example
Pandemic-(of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world.
39
Jargon example
I need a nurse to room 12 stat
40
Vernacular example
An example of vernacular is medical terms used by doctors.
41
Didactic example
An example of didactic writing is Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism
42
Adage example
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
43
Allegory example
Animal Farm, by George Orwell
44
Aphorism example
“God helps them that help themselves,” and “A watched pot never
boils.”
45
Ellipsis example
“The whole
| day, rain, torrents of rain.”
46
Euphemism example
“Vertically challenged” in place
| of “short.”
47
Figurative language example
You're a couch potato
48
Analogy example
“America is to the world as the
| hippo is to the jungle.”
49
Hyperbole example
“My mother will kill me if I am late.”
50
Idiom example
“I got
| chewed out by my coach.”
51
Metaphor example
“My feet
| are popsicles.”
52
Metonymy example
“I could not understand his tongue,”
53
Synecdoche example
“Check out my new wheels.”
54
Simile example
“My feet are so cold they feel like popsicles.”
55
Active voice effect
The opposite is passive voice –
when the subject of the sentence receives the action. “The car was driven by Anthony.” Passive voice is
often overused, resulting in lifeless writing. When possible, try to use active voice.
56
Allusion effect
it can give deeper meaning to a story by referring to another piece of work that most are familiar with.
57
Alter-ego effect
to see their perspective
58
Anecdotes effect
Anecdotes are often inserted into fictional or non
| fictional texts as a way of developing a point or injecting humor.
59
Antecedent effect
The AP language exam occasionally
| asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.
60
Classicism effect
sticks to traditional
| themes and structures
61
Comic relief effect
in order to lighten the mood
| somewhat.
62
Diction effect
Different types of words have significant effects
on meaning. An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise
than street slang. You should be able to describe an author's diction.
63
Colloquial effect
When appropriately used, colloquial language can be useful in creating a bond between reader and writer that makes it easier for the reader to agree with the writer's point of view,
64
Adage effect
The truths they communicate are reflections on life experiences that many people can relate to. One of the best ways to gain knowledge is to read, read, and read some more.
65
Allegory effect
The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth.
66
Aphorism effect
increased understanding and relatability of the audience.
67
Ellipsis effect
To show an omission of a word or words
68
Euphemism effect
Sometimes they are used for political correctness. “Physically challenged,” in place of “crippled.” Sometimes a euphemism is used to exaggerate correctness to add humor.
69
Figurative Language effect
enhance the emotional significance of passages,
70
Analogy effect
to show that the relationship between the first pair of variables is
the same as the relationship between the second pair of variables.
71
Hyperbole effect
to emphasize the text
72
Idiom effect
amplify messages in a way that draws readers in and helps awaken their senses
73
Metaphor effect
writer is more able to convey emotions and impressions
74
Metonymy effect
enables writers to express a word in a different way by using a closely related word.
75
Synecdoche effect
allows variation of expression and produces an effect for the reader
76
Simile effect
eliminates the need for excessive information and description on the writer's part
77
Connotation
words that are strongly negative or positive effects how readers feel
78
Denotation
helps reader understand the word
79
Jargon
enhance communication
80
Vernacular
helps express that the language is used for a specific group
81
Didactic effect
meant to entertain, the aesthetics in a didactic work of literature are subordinate to the message it imparts
82
Synesthesia
a description involving a “crossing of the senses.”
83
Synesthesia example
“I was deafened by his brightly-colored clothing.”
84
Synesthesia effect
It makes their ideas more vivid, and adds more layers of meaning to a text
85
Personification
Giving human-like qualities to something that is not human.
86
Personification example
“The tired old truck
| groaned as it inched up the hill.”
87
Personification effect
to make descriptions of non-human entities more vivid
88
Foreshadowing
When an author gives hints about what will occur later in a story.
89
Foreshadowing example
weather motifs: clouds, rain, wind etc.
90
Foreshadowing effect
creates an atmosphere of suspense in a story
91
Genre
The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are prose,
poetry, and drama.
92
Genre example
(poetry can be classified into lyric, dramatic,
narrative, etc.). autobiography,
biography, diaries, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.
93
Genre effect
Genres appeal to writers because they give a structure and something to build on, while they offer audiences the pleasure of the familiar and ingenious diversion from it.
94
Gothic
Writing characterized by gloom, mystery, fear and/or death.
95
Gothic example
18th century literature like vampires, witches, curses and ghosts
96
Gothic effect
gave audience mystery and suspense, atmosphere and setting, and omens and curses
97
Imagery
Word or words that create a picture in the reader's mind.
98
Imagery example
The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days.
99
Imagery effect
Word or words that create a picture in the reader's mind.
100
Invective
A long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.
101
Invective example
how slavemasters talk to slaves
102
Invective effect
to express strong negative emotion or to stir up emotion in the audience
103
Irony
When the opposite of what you expect to happen does.
104
Irony example
A post on instagram complaining about how useless instagram is
105
Irony effect
can create suspense or tension for the audience
106
Verbal irony
When you say something and mean the opposite/something different.
107
Verbal irony example
For example,
if your gym teacher wants you to run a mile in eight minutes or faster, but calls it a "walk in the
park" it would be verbal irony.
108
Verbal irony effect
It allows readers to exercise a little bit of perception and omniscience
109
Dramatic irony
When the audience of a drama, play, movie, etc. knows something that the
character doesn't and would be surprised to find out.
110
Dramatic irony example
For example, in many horror movies, we (the
| audience) know who the killer is, which the victim-to-be has no idea who is doing the slaying.
111
Dramatic irony effect
Dramatic irony can stimulate strong emotions in a reader because the reader knows what awaits a character and may see the character act against his or her own well-being.
112
Situational irony
Found in the plot (or story line) of a book, story, or movie. Sometimes it
makes you laugh because it's funny how things turn out.
113
Situational irony example
(For example, Johnny spent two hours
planning on sneaking into the movie theater and missed the movie. When he finally did manage to
sneak inside he found out that kids were admitted free that day).
114
Situational irony
lay emphasis on important scenes and make strange and unusual images vivid
115
Juxtaposition
Placing things side by side for the purposes of comparison.
116
Juxtaposition example
(For example, an author my juxtapose the average day of a
| typical American with that of someone in the third world in order to make a point of social commentary).
117
Juxtaposition effect
Authors often use juxtaposition
| of ideas or examples in order to make a point.
118
Mood
The atmosphere created by the literature and accomplished through word choice
119
Mood example
Syntax
is often a creator of mood since word order, sentence length and strength and complexity also affect pacing
and therefore mood. Setting, tone, and events can all affect the mood.
120
Mood effect
It evokes various emotional responses in readers, and thus ensures their emotional attachment
121
Motif
a recurring idea in a piece of literature.
122
Motif example
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the idea that “you never really
| understand another person until you consider things from his or her point of view”
123
Motif effect
strengthen a story by adding images and ideas to the theme present throughout the narrative
124
Oxymoron
When apparently contradictory terms are grouped together and suggest a paradox
125
Oxymoron example
wise fool or jumbo shrimp
126
Oxymoron effect
creating an impression, enhancing a concept, and even entertaining the reader.
127
Pacing
The speed or tempo of an author’s writing.
128
Pacing example
syntax, polysyndeton, anaphora, meter
129
Pacing effect
It refers to how fast or slow events in a piece unfold and how much time elapses in a scene or story.
130
Paradox
A seemingly contradictory situation which is actually true.
131
Paradox example
"You can't get a job without
| experience, and you can't get experience without getting a job.”
132
Paradox effect
The purpose of a paradox is to arrest attention and provoke fresh thought.
133
Parallelism
Sentence construction which
| places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns.
134
Parallelism example
“Cinderella swept the
| floor, dusted the mantle, and beat the rugs.”
135
Parallelism effect
It also shows that each repeated structure is of equal importance
136
Anaphora
Repetition of a word, phrase, or clause at the beginning of two or more sentences or
clauses in a row.
137
Anaphora example
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
138
Anaphora effect
helps make the writer's point more
| coherent.
139
Chiasmus
When the same words are used twice in succession, but the second time, the order of
the words is reversed.
140
Chiasmus example
“When the going gets tough, the tough get
| going.”
141
Chiasmus effect
To give structure and poetic form, making text more digestible and memorable
142
Antithesis
Two opposite or contrasting words, phrases, or clauses, or even ideas, with parallel
structure.
143
Antithesis example
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”
144
Antithesis effect
strengthen an argument by using either exact opposites or simply contrasting ideas, but can also include both
145
Zuegma (Syllepsis)
When a single word governs or modifies two or more other words, and the
meaning of the first word must change for each of the other words it governs or modifies.
146
Zuegma (Syllepsis) example
“The
| butler killed the lights, and then the mistress.”
147
Zuegma (Syllepsis)
when used skillfully, produces a unique artistic effect, making the literary works more interesting and effective as it serves to adorn expressions, and to add emphasis to ideas in impressive style
148
Parenthetical Idea
Parentheses are used to set off an idea from the rest of the sentence.
149
Parenthetical Idea example
“In a short time (and the time is getting shorter by the
| gallon) America will be out of oil.”
150
Parenthetical Idea effect
It is almost
considered an aside...a whisper, and should be used sparingly for effect, rather than repeatedly. Parentheses
can also be used to set off dates and numbers.
151
Parody
An exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes.
152
Parody example
The Simpsons often parody Shakespeare plays.
153
Parody effect
It borrows words or phrases
| from an original, and pokes fun at it.
154
Persona
The fictional mask or narrator that tells a story.
155
Persona example
The persona of Nectar In a Sieve is the main character, Rukmani.
156
Persona effect
it is the voice chosen by the author for a particular artistic purpose.
157
Poetic Device
A device used in poetry to manipulate the sound of words, sentences or lines.
158
Poetic Device example
Alliteration, personification, metaphor
159
Poetic Device effect
Poetic devices may enhance the timing and rhythm of the poem, the meaning of the words or the emotions felt by those reading it.
160
Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
161
Alliteration example
“Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore”
162
Alliteration effect
focuses readers' attention on a particular section of text
163
Assonance
The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds.
164
Assonance example
“From the molten-golden notes”
165
Assonance effect
it develops the internal rhyme that enhances the pleasure of reading.
166
Consonance
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the end of words or within words.
167
Consonance example
“Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door"
168
Consonance effect
makes the structure of poetry or prose appealing for the reader.
169
Onomatopoeia
The use of a word which imitates or suggests the sound that the thing makes.
170
Onomatopoeia example
Snap, rustle, boom, murmur
171
Onomatopoeia effect
. It can add excitement, action, and interest by allowing the reader to hear and remember your writing
172
Internal rhyme
When a line of poetry contains a rhyme within a single line.
173
Internal rhyme example
“To the rhyming and the chiming of the bells!”
174
Internal rhyme effect
It is employed to heighten the poem's effect,s and this internal rhyme can take place in the same line or two separate alternating lines
175
Slant rhyme
When a poet creates a rhyme, but the two words do not rhyme exactly – they are merely similar.
176
Slant rhyme example
“I sat upon a stone, / And found my life has gone.”
177
Slant rhyme effect
catches the reader by surprise and subverts their expectations, delivering a satisfyingly unexpected twist
178
End rhyme
When the last word of two different lines of poetry rhyme.
179
End rhyme example
“Roses are red, violets are blue, / Sugar is sweet, and so are you.”
180
End rhyme effect
It serves as a strong mnemonic device that facilitates memorization.
181
Rhyme Scheme
The pattern of a poem’s end rhymes.
182
Rhyme Scheme example
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? a
Thou art more lovely and more temperate. b
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May. a
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. b
183
Rhyme Scheme effect
helps establish the form
184
Stressed and unstressed syllables
In every word of more than one syllable, one of the syllables is stressed, or said with more force
than the other syllable(s).
185
Stressed and unstressed syllables example
In the name “Nathan,” the first syllable is stressed. In the word
“unhappiness,” the second of the four syllables is stressed.
186
Stressed and unstressed syllables effect
When a poem has a recognizable but varying pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, the poetry is written in verse.
187
Free verse
Poetry that doesn’t have much meter or rhyme.
188
Meter example
Iamb, Trochee, Dactyl
189
Meter effect
Meter is an important part of poetry because it helps readers understand rhythm as it relates to words and lines in a poem
190
Free verse effect
gives a greater freedom for choosing words, and conveying their meanings to the audience
191
Iambic pentameter effect
to keep up decorum and grandeur of the language.
192
Free verse example
The red wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams
193
Sonnet example
Death be not proud- John Donne
194
Sonnet effect
contain strong themes of love
195
Polysyndeton
When a writer creates a list of items which are all separated by conjunctions.
196
Polysyndeton example
“I walked the dog, and fed
| the cat, and milked the cows.”
197
Polysyndeton effect
Polysyndeton is often used to slow down the pace of the writing and/or add an authoritative tone.
198
Pun
When a word that has two or more meanings is used in a humorous way.
199
Pun example
I was struggling to figure out how lightning works, but then it struck me
200
Pun effect
It also used to create a comedic effect and also covey a sense of irony.
201
Rhetoric
The art of effective communication.
202
Rhetoric example
MLK I have a dream Speech. "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends."
203
Rhetoric effect
uses language to appeal mainly to emotions, but also in some cases to shared values or logic.
204
Rhetorical Question
Question not asked for information but for effect.
205
Rhetorical Question example
“The angry parent asked the
| child, ‘Are you finished interrupting me?’”
206
Rhetorical Question effect
draws the attention to what they wanted to express
207
Romanticism
Art or literature characterized by an idealistic, perhaps unrealistic view of people and the
world, and an emphasis on nature.
208
Romanticism example
ex
209
Romanticism effect
ef
210
Sarcasm
Sarcasm - A generally bitter comment that is ironically or satirically worded. However, not all satire and
irony are sarcastic.
211
Sarcasm example
ex
212
Romanticism example
Song of myself by Walt Whitman
213
Romanticism effect
It questioned the settled way of thinking which had widely spread with the age of Enlightenment
214
Satire example
Good satire usually has three layers: serious
on the surface; humorous when you discover that it is satire instead of reality; and serious when you discern
the underlying point of the author.
215
Sarcasm example
When you get a F on a test and your friend says Good Job Einstein.
216
Sentence
A sentence is group of words (including subject and verb) that expresses a complete thought.
217
Sentence example
ex
218
Sentence effect
to express a complete thought
219
Sentence example
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
220
Appositive
A word or group of words placed beside a noun or noun substitute to supplement its
meaning.
221
Appositive example
“Bob, the lumber yard worker, spoke with Judy, an accountant from the city.”
222
Appositive effect
ef
223
Clause
A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent clause
expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
224
Clause example
(Example: “Other than baseball, football is my favorite sport.” In this sentence, the independent
clause is “football is my favorite sport” and the dependent clause is “Other than baseball.”
225
Clause effect
An independent clause
expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate
clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause.
226
Balanced sentence
A sentence in which two parallel elements are set off against each
other like equal weights on a scale.
227
Balanced sentence example
“If a free
| society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”
228
Balanced sentence effect
ef
229
Compound sentence
Contains at least two independent clauses but no dependent
| clauses.
230
Compound sentence example
ex
231
Balanced sentence effect
It draws attention of the readers to the sentence and makes it stand out among the rest
232
Complex sentence
Contains only one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause.
233
Compound sentence example
Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
234
Compound sentence effect
can make your writing rich and colorful
235
Complex sentence example
I took a walk because I need exercise
236
Complex sentence effect
show relationships between clauses, such as cause and effect, contrast, and time relationships
237
Cumulative sentence example
“He doubted whether he could ever
again appear before an audience, his confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet
with perspiration.”
238
Cumulative sentence effect
The effect can be natural as it parallels what often happens in speech.
239
Periodic sentence
When the main idea is not completed until the end of the sentence.
240
Periodic sentence example
“His confidence broken, his limbs shaking, his collar wet with perspiration, he doubted whether he could ever again appear before an audience.”
241
Periodic sentence effect
The writer begins with subordinate elements and postpones the main clause.
242
Simple sentence
Contains only one independent clause.
243
Simple sentence example
The train was late.
244
Simple sentence effect
create tension, haste or urgency,
245
Declarative Sentence
States an idea
246
Declarative Sentence example
The ball is round
247
Declarative Sentence effect
To give a statement
248
Imperative Sentence
Issues a command.
249
Imperative Sentence example
“Kick the ball.”
250
Imperative Sentence effect
to tell someone/something what to do
251
Interrogative sentence
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which,
| who, whom, and whose).
252
Interrogative sentence example
Sentences incorporating interrogative pronouns (what, which,
| who, whom, and whose). “To whom did you kick the ball?”
253
Interrogative sentence effect
to ask a question
254
Style
The choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes. Style may be conscious or unconscious.
255
Style example
She picked a rose from the ground. Scarlet was the rose she plucked from the earth.
256
Style effect
The way the author writes to keep readers attention.
257
Symbol
Anything that represents or stands for something else.
258
Symbol example
Examples of symbols
include the Whale in Moby Dick, the river and the jungle in Heart of Darkness, and the Raven in “The
Raven.”
259
Symbol effect
Usually a symbol is something concrete
| such as an object, actions, character...that represents something more abstract.
260
Syntax/sentence variety
Grammatical arrangement of words.
