Overstatement is a rhetorical device that uses deliberate over-exaggeration to emphasize a point or evoke an emotional reaction (e.g., “I’ve told you a million times!”). Overstatement is used in literature and everyday language not to lie but to make something seem more important or serious than it actually is.
I laughed so hard I almost died.
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Synecdoche is a figure of speech that uses a word for a single part of something in place of a word th”at describes the whole (e.g., “threads” to refer to clothing). Synecdoche can also be used in the opposite way, using a word that describes the whole in place of the single part (e.g., “the classroom” to refer to the students and teacher).
All hands on deck. [workers]
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Enjambment is when one line of a poem continues onto the next line without any end punctuation. Because ideas flow from one line to the next, it creates a sense of momentum and changes the flow of a stanza.
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A malaphor is a blend of two or more idioms or phrases into a single expression that ends up being nonsensical, confusing, amusing, or surprising.
Don’t count your chickens in one basket. (“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” + “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”)
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A trope is a word or phrase that implies something other than its original meaning. Tropes use nonliteral language to convey a figurative meaning. They’re often used in literature, everyday language, and even things like advertising and political speeches.
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Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses to create rhythm, emphasize a point, or evoke emotion. Repetition of the same phrase, especially at the beginning of each new line, can reinforce key ideas and captivate audiences.
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Chiasmus is where the ideas or grammatical structures in the first part of a sentence are repeated in reverse order in the second part of the sentence using different words. The meaning of the first part is almost a mirror image of the meaning of the second part and creates an ABBA structure.
“She” (A) and “her” (A) have the same meaning, as does “my love” (B) and “my heart” (B).
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Metonymy (pronounced meh-tah-nuh-mee) is a figure of speech in which a word or term is used to replace or represent another closely related word or term. For example, “the crown” is often used to describe the British monarchy, and “Hollywood” is often used to describe the American film industry.
Metonymy is used in all sorts of writing, from everyday speech to headlines and song lyrics. Writers use it to add layers of meaning to their words and be concise.
The heart knows what it wants. [emotions or love]
She was the brains of the operation. [intelligence]
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Consonance is a literary device that repeats consonant sounds within nearby words (e.g., “He struck the clock with a quick flick”). Using consonance can add rhythm, a specific mood, or a catchy feel to your writing.
The old man hummed a calm, solemn hymn.
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Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in close proximity to each other (e.g., “whispering winds,” “busy bee”). Alliteration gives a rhythmic and almost musical quality to words that makes them more engaging, memorable, and impactful.
Frothy foam formed over the fierce waves.
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