Parallelism
The use parts of a sentence that are similar grammatically: in their meter, sound, or meaning.
Parody
An imitation of a particular writer, genre, or style, generally for comedic effect.
Pathos
Emotion put into writing for effect, it creates emotion from readers
Persona
The persona of a piece of writing is the voice of the author or supposed writer that pops through in the writing, and represents their thoughts
Polysyndeton
The use of coordinating conjunctions over and over to create an artistic effect: "and the men, and the women, and the children, and the fish in the sea, and the animals on the earth.
Purpose
The authorial intent of a piece of writing: their reason for writing what they are
Repetition
The repetition of words or ideas to make a point clear, or to prove its important/significance
Rhetorical Questions
A question asked to make readers consider the answer, or to show emphasis. The answer could be obvious, or the answer could be unknown.
Satire
A technique used to express foolishness by using fictional characters, based on real people, to expose corruption.
Syllogism
This is an argument that connects two things: Example: Dogs are canines. Buddy is a dog. Therefore, Buddy is a canine. Syllogisms are two part statements.
Tone
Tone is an authors attitude or treatment of a certain subject. It is conveyed by word choice and viewpoint.
Understatement
A statement made by authors that makes something seem less important than it actually is.
Zeugma
A figure of speech where a verb or adjective applies to more than one noun or idea: "Tim lost his phone and his patience.
Aphorism
A statement of truth expressed in a concise way.
Colloquialism
The use of informal phrases or words in writing, sometimes not intentionally. More conversational writing.
Deduction
A method of reasoning that turns a general statement into a specific one. A conclusion follows a statement of deduction.
Induction
A method of reasoning that turns a specific statement into a general one. It takes many instances and reaches a conclusion based on all of them.
Didactic
A piece of literature overflowing with informative or realistic matter, therefore generally being boring and dull.
Synecdoche
When a small part of something represents the entire thing: "Bread" refers to a large amount of money, "suits" refers to business men.
Alliteration
A device in which number of words starting with the same consonant sound occur near each other.
Allusion
A reference in writing to another piece of art or literature or some sort of significance.
Analogy
A device where an idea is compared to another different from it. It is used to explain a certain idea with something familiar. Example: the analogy of Jesus and his disciples in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with
Antithesis
When two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to have a contrasting effect.
Assertion
A strong, dedicated statement regarding a belief or opinion. Often, there is no proof or support going with it.
Asyndeton
A device used to eliminate conjunctions while maintaining correct grammar: Example: Without looking, without making a sound, without walking: There is no "and" but it is grammatically correct.
Bathos
When a writer uses many absurd metaphors or analogies with descriptive ideas to be extra emotional.
Cliche
An expression overused so much it seems typical and does not maintain its original meaning. It may also refer to actions that are predictable due to to being common.
Connotation
A meaning implied by a word that is not its definition: Wall Street is an actual street, but it implies wealth and power, and perhaps corruption.
Denotation
The literal or dictionary meaning of word, as compared to the connotative, or associated, meaning.
Diction
A style of writing determined based on a writer's word choice.
Ethos
A writer's credibility in writing about a certain topic, involving the ability to persuade and convince
Euphemism
A polite or indirect expression or word used to talk about something harsh, impolite, or unpleasant: "Pass away" = Died
Hyperbole
An exaggeration of ideas for the purpose of emphasis: "I haven't seen you in forever!
Juxtaposition
When unlike two ideas, people, or things are placed next to each other in literature for comparison. Example: A rose bush outside a prison. (Flashback to Scarlet Letter)
Logos
The logic in a piece of writing, involving induction and deduction.
Metaphor
A comparison of two things that are not the same but are related, does not use like or as. Example: "The moon was a sliver dish in the sky.
Objective
Objective writing is writing that can be verified with facts and research, it is unemotional and facts based.
Subjective
Subjective writing is writing that cannot be evaluated or tested for credibility, because it is written based on emotion.
Oxymoron
When two separate things or ideas are combined to create a phrase: Jumbo shrimp, civil war. An oxymoron could also appear in sentence form: In order to lead, you must walk behind.
Paradox
A self contrary statement that illustrates an opinion unlike those traditional.