Questions and Answers
What is alliteration?
What is assonance?
What does consonance refer to?
What is cacophony?
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Define euphony.
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What does parallelism achieve?
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What is isocolon?
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Define chiasmus.
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What is antithesis?
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What is climax in literary terms?
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What does anticlimax mean?
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Define paraprosdokian.
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What is anaphora?
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What is epistrophe?
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Define epanalepsis.
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What is anadiplosis?
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Define commoratio.
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What is tautology?
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Define anacoluthon.
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What is anastrophe?
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Define parenthesis.
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What does apposition refer to?
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Define hysteron proteron.
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What is ellipsis?
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What does juxtaposition refer to?
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Define asyndeton.
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What is polysyndeton?
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Define metaphor.
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What is a simile?
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Define personification.
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What is praeteritio?
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Define apostrophe in a rhetorical context.
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What is metonymy?
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Define synecdoche.
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What does allusion mean?
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Define apotheosis.
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What is allegory?
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Define anthimeria.
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What is periphrasis?
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Define euphemism.
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What does archaism refer to?
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Define onomatopoeia.
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What is zeugma?
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Define antanaclasis.
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What is paranomasia?
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Define syllepsis.
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What is imagery?
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Define pleonasm.
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What is hyperbole?
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What does litotes mean?
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Define irony.
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What is sarcasm?
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Define oxymoron.
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What is a paradox?
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Define synaesthesia.
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Study Notes
Rhetorical Devices Overview
- Alliteration: Repetition of initial sounds in words, enhancing rhythm and memorability.
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds in close proximity, contributing to a musical quality.
- Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds, especially at the end of words, creating harmony in sound.
- Cacophony: A jarring combination of sounds, often used for expressive effect (e.g., "jack cut crispy carrots").
- Euphony: A pleasing arrangement of sounds, creating a melodious effect in language.
Structural Devices
- Parallelism: Repeating similar words, phrases, or ideas to emphasize their equal value.
- Isocolon: A specific type of parallelism that features phrases or clauses of equal length.
- Chiasmus: A rhetorical inversion where concepts are repeated in reverse order (e.g., "the fire burned, burned the fire").
- Antithesis: Juxtaposition of opposing ideas in a balanced format to highlight contrast.
Narrative Techniques
- Climax: The peak of tension or suspense in a narrative, structured for increasing importance.
- Anticlimax: A disappointing conclusion that fails to meet the expectations set by the buildup of preceding events.
Wordplay and Rhetorical Tricks
- Paraprosdokian: A sentence where the second half surprises the reader, prompting a reevaluation of the first half.
- Anaphora: Repetitive use of a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive sentences.
- Epistrophe: Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive sentences.
- Epanalepsis: Initiating and concluding a sentence with the same word or phrase for emphasis.
- Anadiplosis: Repetition of the last word or phrase from one sentence at the beginning of the next.
Redundancies and Clarifications
- Commoratio: Restating a point several times in different ways for reinforcement.
- Tautology: Unnecessary repetition of an idea or phrase, resulting in redundancy.
- Anacoluthon: A grammatical interruption or break in sentence structure that can create emphasis.
Syntax Manipulations
- Anastrophe: Alteration of the typical order of words, often for poetic effect.
- Parenthesis: Insertion of explanatory remarks in a sentence that adds information but is not essential.
- Apposition: Placing two noun phrases next to each other where one defines the other.
Figurative Language
- Hysteron Proteron: Reversing the natural order of events in a statement for dramatic effect.
- Ellipsis: Omitting words that are implied in the context, creating a succinct expression.
- Juxtaposition: Contrasting elements placed alongside each other to highlight differences.
Conjunctions and Relationships
- Asyndeton: Omission of conjunctions for a faster pace or emphatic effect.
- Polysyndeton: Intentionally overusing conjunctions to slow down the rhythm and create emphasis.
Comparisons and Symbolism
- Metaphor: Directly referring to one thing as another to draw a comparison.
- Simile: Comparing two different things using "like" or "as" for clarity.
- Personification: Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts.
Rhetorical Strategies
- Praeteritio: Drawing attention to something while feigning disregard for it.
- Apostrophe: Addressing a non-present person or an abstract concept directly.
- Metonymy: Using a related term to represent something else, often based on a conceptual relationship.
- Synecdoche: Referring to a part to represent the whole or vice versa (e.g., "wheels" for cars).
Literary References
- Allusion: Indirect references to well-known figures, events, or cultural touchstones.
- Apotheosis: Elevating someone or something to divine status, often through praise.
Narrative Techniques and Imagery
- Allegory: A narrative that conveys abstract ideas through characters, events, and symbols.
- Anthimeria: Using one part of speech in place of another to create a novel linguistic effect (e.g., using "google" as a verb).
- Periphrasis: Using descriptive language in place of a proper noun for emphasis or clarity.
Tone and Emotion
- Euphemism: Substituting a mild, indirect expression for a harsher or direct one.
- Archaism: Utilizing outdated language that has largely fallen out of common use.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate the sound they refer to (e.g., "buzz").
- Zeugma: A word that applies to multiple parts of a sentence, often producing varied meanings.
Stylistic Devices
- Antanaclasis: Repeating a word but with different meanings in each instance.
- Paranomasia: Wordplay or pun that leverages similar-sounding words for humor or emphasis.
- Syllepsis: A single word governs multiple others, often creating a shift in meaning.
Descriptive Language
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions that evoke sensory experiences.
- Pleonasm: Using more words than necessary to convey an idea, enhancing emphasis.
- Hyperbole: Deliberate exaggeration for dramatic or comedic effect.
- Litotes: A form of understatement that employs double negatives for emphasis.
Irony and Contradictions
- Irony: Conveying a meaning that contrasts with the literal interpretation.
- Sarcasm: A form of verbal irony meant to mock or convey contempt.
- Oxymoron: Pairing contradictory terms for effect.
- Paradox: A seemingly self-contradictory statement that may reveal a truth upon further analysis.
Sensory Language
- Synaesthesia: Blending of senses where one type of sensory experience affects another.
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