rhetorical figures

Alliteration

the recurrence of initial consonant sounds rubber baby buggy bumpers

Allusion

a reference to an event, literary work or person - I can’t do that because I am not Superman.

Amplification

repeats a word or expression for emphasis - Love, real love, takes time.

Analogy

compares two different things that have some similar characteristics - He is flaky as a snowstorm.

Anaphora

repeats a word or phrase in successive phrases - "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?” (Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare)

Antanagoge

places a criticism and compliment together to lessen the impact - The car is not pretty but it runs great.

Antimetabole

repeats words or phrases in reverse order - “ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” (J F Kennedy)

Antiphrasis

uses a word with an opposite meaning - The Chihuahua was named Goliath.

Antithesis

makes a connection between two things - “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong)

Cacophony

consists of harsh sounds - "Critch" "Cratch" mimicking someone walking in stilettos --- The opposite is Euphony. Poetry is considered euphonic,

Chiasmus

Two or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a larger point - Ask not, what your country can do for you. Ask what, you can do for your country.

Appositive

places a noun or phrase next to another noun for descriptive purposes - Mary, queen of the land, hosted the ball.

Enumeratio

makes a point with details - Renovation included a spa, tennis court, pool and lounge.

Ellypsis

Omission of words

Epanalepsis

repeats something from the beginning of a sentence at the end - My ears heard what you said but I couldn’t believe my ears.

Epithet

using an adjective or adjective phrase to describe - mesmerizing eyes

Epizeuxis

repeats one word for emphasis - The amusement park was fun, fun, fun.

Homonyms Words that are identical with each other in pronunciation and spelling, but different in meaning.

I love snow. I need it.

Homophones Words that are identical with each other in pronunciation, but different in meaning

ate after eight

Hyperbole

an exaggeration - I have done this a thousand times.

Litotes

makes an understatement by denying the opposite of a word that may have been used - The terms of the contract are not disagreeable to me.

Metanoia

corrects or qualifies a statement - You are the most beautiful woman in this town, nay the entire world.

Metaphor

compares two things by stating one is the other - The eyes are the windows of the soul.

Metonymy

a metaphor where something being compared is referred to by something closely associated with it - The knights are loyal to the crown.

Onomatopoeia

words that imitate the sound they describe - plunk, whiz, pop

Oxymoron

a two word paradox - near miss, seriously funny

Parallelism

uses words or phrases with a similar structure - I went to the store, parked the car and bought a pizza.

Polysyndeton

Close repetition of conjunctions

Rhetorical question

A Question that is not necessarily expected to be answered

Simile

compares one object to another - He smokes like a chimney.

Understatement

makes an idea less important than it really is - The hurricane disrupted traffic.

Zeugma

The using of one verb for two or more actions, They covered themselves with dust and glory

Zoomorphism

Applying animal characteristics to humans or gods, Any Disney’s film character.