Periphrasis and circumlocution are often considered synonymous and can be used interchangeably. However, some sources differentiate between the two, considering periphrasis as an indirect manner of speaking or writing used for stylistic or rhetorical purposes, while circumlocution has a more negative connotation, implying an evasive communication style.
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Anthypophora, also known as hypophora, is a rhetorical device in which the speaker or writer raises a question and then answers it. For example, “How can we increase productivity? The answer lies in focus, organization, and prioritization.” Some sources distinguish between hypophora and anthypophora, with the first term denoting the question and the latter the answer.
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The following are some common rhetorical devices with examples:
- Metaphor: an implicit comparison between two unlike things (e.g., “He is a night owl. He prefers working at night.”)
- Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement, not to be taken literally (e.g., “I was bored to tears during the lecture.”)
- Synecdoche: A part is used to represent a whole or vice versa (e.g., “I got a new set of wheels.”)
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Rhetorical devices and literary devices are both techniques used in writing and speech, but they serve different purposes and contexts.
Rhetorical devices aim to influence an audience’s perception or evoke an emotion and are often found in persuasive communication.
Literary devices, on the other hand, enhance storytelling and make a narrative more artistic and creative in works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
While rhetorical devices are often discussed separately from literary devices, there is a significant overlap between the two terms. For example, metaphors, similes, and irony, can serve both rhetorical and literary purposes.
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The term “florid” describes something that is excessively decorated or detailed, often in a way that can be seen as overly elaborate or flowery. This can apply to architecture, writing, or any other form of artistic expression featuring intricate detail. In literature, florid language is often associated with purple prose.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using words like “florid” correctly in your writing.
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Flowery language is an elaborate, ornate, and overly descriptive way of writing or speaking. It is marked by the excessive use of complicated words and figurative language in an attempt to sound poetic.
Flowery language is a characteristic of purple prose and the opposite of plain language. While it aims to impress, it can come across as inauthentic and tiresome, potentially putting off the reader.
The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you vary the tone and style of your writing to avoid flowery language.
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An enthymeme example is the sentence “Socrates is a human; therefore, Socrates is mortal.” In an enthymeme, there is a missing premise the audience must infer for the conclusion to make sense. This missing piece of information is usually a generally accepted truth or a commonly held belief. In this case, the premise “All humans are mortal” is implied, rather than explicitly stated, because it is common sense.
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The phrase “The storm sank my boat and my dreams” is an example of zeugma. Instead of using a more literal phrasing like “My boat sank in the storm, and I couldn’t realize my dreams,” the speaker employs zeugma by combining the literal and figurative senses of the verb “sank” to underscore the sadness over the loss of both a boat and a lifelong dream.
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An example of chiasmus is the line “By day the frolic, and the dance by night” from The Vanity of Human Wishes, a Juvenalian satire by Samuel Johnson.
The first part of the sentence (“by day the frolic”) begins with a time of day and is followed by an event. In contrast, the second part of the sentence (“and the dance by night”) starts with an event and concludes with a time of day. Therefore, the second half serves as a conceptual mirror image of the first. While the exact words are not repeated, the underlying concepts are reflected.
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An example of anadiplosis is the line “When I give, I give myself” from “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman. The word “give” is repeated at the end of one clause and the beginning of the next creating a rhythmic effect and underlying the concept of selflessness.
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