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figures of speech definitions

Terms in this set (27)

hyperbole
exaggeration and overstatement used for rhetorical effect
euphemism
inoffensive expression used instead of an offensive one, to soften an expression
personification
endowing an object or concept with human characteristics
metonymy
using, instead of a word, a term closely associated to it
synecdoche
a part represents a whole
portmanteau
mot valise, mixing two words
simile
comparison between two things using a conjunction
foreshadowing
hint to where the story is going
litotes
understatement (used for ironical effect)
mood
general feeling the writer wants to give
tone
writer or narrator's attitude towards a subject
pun
play on words
polysyndeton
repetition of conjunction
soliloquy
long speech to oneself, a type of monologue
polyptoton
same word declined differently
Onomatopoeia
a word that imitates a sound
oxymoron
contradictory terms side by side
anadiplosis
repetition of the last word of one sentence at the beginning of the following clause
asyndeton
absence of conjuction
paradox
a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement but which contains (underlying) truth
alliteration
repetition of an initial letter or sound
assonance
repetition of a vowel sound in a sentence
consonance
Repetition of a consonant sound within two or more words in close proximity.
byronic hero
a proud, moody, cynical man yet capable of deep and strong affection
Colloquialism
use of informal language or slang
zeugma
a verb applies to more than one noun, blending together grammatically and logically different ideas
pleonasm
a redundant and tautological phrase or clause
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