Tropes
Tropes
Trope is a figure of speech in which the use of a word or a phrase other than in its literal meaning changes the meaning of a sentence. The word trope comes from Greek tropos meaning turn. That is, turning the meaning of a sentence another way by the use of a word(s). There are [...]
Zoomorphism
Zoomorphism is the attributing of animal characteristics or form to Gods. For example: Hanuman (the monkey god) in Indian mythology or the Holy Spirit represented as a dove in Christianity.
The use of animal figures in decoration, art or literature is also called zoomorphism. Also, seeing human behavior in terms of animal behavior is zoomorphism.
Examples of [...]
Tricolon
A tricolon is a sentence in which there are three equal parts, usually independent clauses. Tricolon is a powerful writing technique that is concise yet explanatory.
There are two types of tricolon, the ascending tricolon (tricolon crescens) and the descending tricolon (tricolon diminuens). In the ascending tricolon, the words increase with each pause; and in descending [...]
Truism
A truism is an observation that is taken as common knowledge and is widely acceptable. Some undeniable truths are also called truisms.
For example -
All men die.
There is no smoke without fire.
Satisfaction is its own reward.
All organisms reproduce.
Epithet
An epithet is an adjective used to denote certain characteristics to a person or a thing. For example – That is a cheerful hello. In literature, adjectives for people are used to describe things for creative purposes. For example – The restless night passed like a nightmare.
Examples of epithets
In the face of such a tragedy, [...]
Rhetorical question
Rhetorical question is a type of question that is used to emphasize emotions rather than expect an answer in reply. For example – “Gowd! When will you stop being so loud?” The aim here is to show that the speaker is immensely irritated by the other person’s loudness.
Examples of rhetorical question
“Could you please polish my [...]
Paradox
A paradox is a statement or a theory that is self-contradictory in nature or leads to a contradiction without seeming to. For example – ‘I tell lies only to truthful people.’ Now, the speaker is telling a lie if he thinks the other person is a truthful person, but the speaker is telling the truth [...]
Parable
A parable is a short fictitious narration with the aim of delivering a moral, religious or philosophical message. Jesus of Nazreth, Parable of the Cave and the Sun in Plato’s Republic, Parable of the Good Samaritan are some of the examples of parable.
The word parable comes from Greek paraballo meaning to cast beside. The narrative [...]
Neologism
A neologism is a word or phrase that has been newly created or ‘coined’. The word neologism comes from French néologisme meaning new word. A change in the meaning of an existing word is also called neologism. For example: gay meant happy in the 19th century, but now it means a homosexual.
There has been a [...]
Malapropism
Malapropism is substituting a word with an incorrect one with a similar sound for comic effect. Malapropism is unintentional on the part of the speaker and arises out of the speaker’s limited vocabulary or confusion of words due to their similar sound.
The word malaprop comes from French mal à propos meaning inappropriate. But malapropism [...]
Double Negative
When two negations are used in a sentence, then it is called double negative. In some languages and dialects, double negative is used to emphasize the positive while in others it is used to enforce the negative.
Double negative leading to a positive (Litotes)
Negative + Negative = Positive
For example: Your work is not bad. (Your work [...]
Aphorism
Aphorism is a general truth or a deep observation expressed in a concise manner. The word aphorism comes from Greek aphorismos meaning to define.
Examples of aphorism
Children should be seen, not heard.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
Better to say silent and be thought a fool than to open [...]
Hysteron proteron/Preposterous
Hysteron Proteron (latter first) is a rhetorical device in which the more prominent word or concept comes before the less important one. For example – The thunder and the lightening dipped my spirits or Put on your shoes and socks.
Everybody knows that lightening comes before thunder, and you put on socks before shoes, but sometimes [...]
Innuendo
An innuendo is a hint or a veiled pointer at a person or a thing. It is used to insult, humiliate, accuse, make fun of or as a cover for sexual talk. Taken literally, an innuendo seems totally harmless. The use of an innuendo is always intentional. For example – He bit hard on the [...]
Antonomasia
Antonomasia (an-to-no-maz-ya) is giving a proper name to something that has qualities associated with that name. For example – a philanderer can also be called Don Juan. Even the reverse of this, that is, using an epithet or a phrase for a proper noun, is also called Antonomasia. For example – ‘the little corporal’ instead [...]
