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Questions tagged [literary-device]

Techniques used by writers to produce certain effects in their writing

Literary Device is a technique a writer uses to produce a special effect in their writing

119 questions
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4 answers

"Thirsty, we drank."

"Thirsty, we drank. Hungry, we ate. Tired, we slept." Is there a name for this form of writing? Is it a recognised literary device?
Lottie Murakami
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17
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4 answers

Is there a literary term for a word which looks completely 'flat' when spelled out in lowercase?

For example, the letters in the lowercase word "narc" align perfectly and therefore make the word appear 'flat'. On the other hand, the letters in the word "blue" or "bed" do not align and therefore causes the word to appear more 'jutted'. Is there…
Filip
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Is there a specific term for nullifying an intentional insult by accepting it as a compliment?

For Example: 1.) Women turned Trump’s insulting “Grab’em by the pussy!” into “Pussy Hats” that they sported proudly in The Women’s March. 2.) Trump also attempted to humiliate Hillary Clinton by comments about her pantsuits, and both men and women…
user305381
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11
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4 answers

Trigonometry is to triangles as ____ is to circles

Trigonometry is to triangles as ____ is to circles What is this kind of sentence called? Does it have a name? Also, what is the blank space in this context called?
Ogen
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6
votes
1 answer

What is the term for this literary device where a name is replaced by a description?

I remember in school being taught a literary device while studying Beowulf where a name is replaced by a description ("wave-rider" instead of boat, a weapon being "life-ender", etc). I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called.
Chris Hampton
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4
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3 answers

What is “alliteration” actually?

I have come across contrasting definitions of alliteration in different dictionaries, grammars and on websites. The website 'Literary Devices' (literarydevices.net) defines it as: "It is a stylistic device in which a number of words, having …
mahmud k pukayoor
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3
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3 answers

Is there a word for constructions that involve intentional false language, with corrections in parentheses?

I realize that the title may not be entirely clear, so here's an example of what I mean: I yelled at (sent a politely worded email to) tech support about their utterly broken (mildly annoying) system. I've seen constructions like this before…
TristanBomb
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3
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3 answers

Is this metonym or synecdoche?

I think that in the phrase, "the Cabinet conferred with the president," Cabinet is an example of a metonym. The answer book for a sample test I'm taking says it's a synecdoche. I thought I had finally figured out the difference. Help!
Beth
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2
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3 answers

Who is the speaker and what is the figure of speech?

"A neighbor of mine in the village Likes to tell how one spring When she was a girl on the farm, she did A childlike thing." (Complete Poem is here) These lines are from the poem "A Girl's Garden" by Robert Frost. It is a narrative poem. The poet…
mahmud k pukayoor
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2
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0 answers

Name for Literary Device

Are the word groups below all fall in the same group, and if so, is there a name for this device? Examples: - Jibber jabber - Flip flam - Hodge podge - Trials & tribulations I thought of alliteration, but the 3rd example doesn't fit.
boxofchalk1
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1
vote
2 answers

too many this tilts his thumb to his lips; is this metaphor?

Mama dances, laughs, dances. All of a sudden, Mama is sick. I fan her hot face with a paper plate. Too many tamales, but Uncle Nacho says too many this tilts his thumb to his lips. The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros What is "too many this…
Murvet Ege
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Can someone please identify this literary device

"Mike-schmike." I muttered, preoccupied by the way he'd said "you and I." I liked it more than I should. This is a line from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight novel (page 25). How would we describe 'Mike-schmike' in terms of a literary device. Is there a…
Wes B
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Literary term for "I picked up my suitcase and convictions and walked out the door"? (intangible and tangible items together in a list)

All! I've been stumped with this question for a while now. What do we call it when you use an intangible object and represent it as though it is tangible, usually coupled with tangible objects? Example: "Both my bike and my pride lay crumpled on the…
Mercy Larner
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1
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What is the literary device used to show internal contradiction in dialogue?

In Joseph's Conrad Heart of Darkness, the Russian, the Brickmaker, and Mr.Kurtz are often contradicting their own statements. For example the Brickmaker hesitant actions paralleled with his short, and clear diction, shows two conflicting…
John Miller
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2 answers

What is this literary device called?

When we use a conjunction such as "but" or "yet" to dramatically interrupt the rhythm of a sentence. What's this literary device called?
Martha
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