EMPHASIZING STYLE

 COMPARE TO EMPHASIZE

         SIMILE- emphasizing something by comparing it to a thing [having common quality]; as+adj.+as+n., v.+like+n. and v.+as+n.

         She is (AS) (innocent=ADJ.) (AS) (an angel=N.)

         Her romantic mind (was=V.) (LIKE) (the tiny boxes, one within the other=N.phr.)

         Kate (inched=V. over her own thoughts) (LIKE) (a measuring worm=N.phr.).

         It has washed over me, (washed=V. me away), (AS) (if I’m nothing more than a woman of sand=N.phr.) . . .

         . . . and snow (lay=V. here and there in patches in the hollow of the banks), (LIKE) (a lady’s gloves forgotten=N.phr.).

         METAPHOR- emphasizing something by just directly mentioning another of the same quality[but not related]

         She is (-as innocent as) an angel

         ...hurry to reach their car, their locked hands a starfish leaping through the dark.

         The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold that slid near and nearer the sill of the world.

         Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.

         If wits were pins, the man would be a veritable hedgehog.

         Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by / And that has made all the difference.

 

ADDING EFFECTS TO EMPHASIZE/DE-EMPHASIZE

 

         HYPERBOLE- situation + intensifier = exaggerated [opposite of understatement]

         I've told you to "clean your room" (+a million times!)

         It was "so cold", (+I saw polar bears wearing hats and jackets.)

         The skin on her face was as "thin and drawn" (+as tight as the skin of onion) and her eyes were "gray and sharp" (+like the points of two picks).

         UNDERSTATEMENT- statement with down-toner = less important [opposite of hyperbole]

         It rained (+a bit) "more" than usual

         ...wanders off into another dimension as a little problem is (+possibly) "the best" example yet

 

REITERATE TO EMPHASIZE

 

         CHIASMUS- first_phrase + aa [ABBA pattern]

         We (shape=A) our (buildings=B), and afterward our (buildings=B) (shape=A) us.

         I'd (rather die=A) (on my feet=B) than (live=B) (on my knees=A).

         PLEONASM- word + woq rd_similar_in_meaning [opposite of oxymoron]

         (Privilege)&(birthright); (my)(own); PI(N)(number)

         the (most) unkind(est); (Sahara)(desert); (Gnashing)(of teeth); (Frozen)(tundra)

 

SUBSTITUTION STYLE

 

         METONYMY- replacing something by what is closely associated to it

         The (PEN=writing) is mightier than the (SWORD=aggression).

         (EBONY=black) and (IVORY=white) live together in perfect harmony.

         BODY=person; CRADLE=birth; GRAVE=death; CROWN=royal person; SUITS=business people; HEART=love or emotion; WASHINGTON=US government; THE WHITE HOUSE=place of the President & staff; SILICON VALLEY=tech industry; SILVER FOX=attractive older man; VINTAGE=wine; HAND=help

         SYNECDOCHE- replacing a whole by its part to represent the whole [vice versa]

         The (HAND=part of sculptor) that mocked them

         The western (WAVE=part of the sea) was all aflame

         The (DepEd=whole for individual) announced new plans for the education reform.

         METAPHOR- replacing something by the word/concept of the same quality[but not related]

         Life without a dream is a (TRAINWRECK=metaphor_horrible mess)

         She showed off her new (WHEELS=synechdoche_automobile)

         Let's take my new (RIDE=metonymy_automobile) out for a spin.

         Mary's voice is (MUSIC to my ears=metaphor_nice to hear).

         Friends, Romans, Countrymen, (lend me your EARS=metonymy_attention).

         So the whole (EAR of Denmark=synechdoche_ people of Denmark) is by a forgèd process of my death rankly abused

         ALLUSION- [an indirect referencing] replacing one's description by a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance

         Act like a (ROMEO=passinate lover) in front of her.

         You're acting like my (MOTHER=lecturer).

         PANDORA’S BOX=mystery; GARDEN OF EDEN=paradise; NEWTON=genius student

         ONOMATOPOEIA- replacing something by a sound associated to it.

         It’s sort of whack, whir, wheeze, whine, sputter, splat, squirt, scrape, clink, clank, clunk, clatter, crash, bang, beep, buzz, ring, rip, roar, retch, twang, toot, tinkle, thud, pop, plop, plunk, pow, snort, snuck, sniff, smack, screech, splash, squish, squeak, jingle, rattle, squeal, boing, honk, hoot, hack, belch.

         I’ll (re) you, I’ll (fa) you. Do you note me?

         EUPHEMISM- replacing a negative by a lesser negative

         What’d you do?’ I said. ‘Give her (THE TIME=rated spg) in Ed Banky’s goddam car?

         But he could do little for them; and now he is (GONE=dead).”

         CIRCUMLOCUTION- replacing something by a long/complicated definition to mask the true meaning [Euphemism may fall under this]

         The vehicle that I use to drive to work in the mornings = car

 

CONTRADICTING STYLE

 

         IRONY- concept + but/yet[maybe hidden] + opposite concept = sarcasm

         The witch, who intended to eat Hansel and Gretel, is trapped by the children in her own oven [the witch is intended to eat the children BUT she is trapped in her own oven]

         Sweden’s Icehotel, built of snow and ice, contains fire alarms. [built of snow & ice YET it contains fire alarm]

         ANTITHESIS- concept + but/yet[maybe hidden] + opposite_concept = neutral/balance

         Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man BUT a giant step for mankind.

         To err is human; to forgive divine. [Human is erring YET God is forgiving]

         Folks who have no vices have very few virtues. [no vices BUT has few virtues---experiences gained even in  bad ways are still learnings]

         LITOTES- concept + opposite_concept + understatement[in thought] = gentle irony

         The (sword) (WASN'T) (useless to the warrior)."

         To express the (odd) and (not A LITTLE eerie) contrast between them

         I am (NO) (prophet) and (here is no good matter).

         I (CANNOT) (say) that (I consider you to be kind to the ladies).

         OXYMORON- word + opposite_word

         Parting is such (sweet) (sorrow).

         We're (busy) (doing nothing).

         Prevent the dog from barking with a (juicy) (bone)

         (controlled)(chaos); (old)(news); (friendly)(fight); (Waking)(Dream); (only)(choice); (act)(naturally)

         PARADOX- statement opposing itself

         If everyone is special, no one is.

         The second sentence is false. The first sentence is true.

         I can resist everything except temptation.

 

OTHER FIGURE OF SPEECH

 

         APOSTROPHE- addressing something as if near or still existing

         Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

         Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee! I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

         EPIGRAM- a witty popular statement/quotation often satirical but with positive impression [Chiasmus may fall under this if popular quotation]

         It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

         If we don’t end war, war will end us.” – G. Wells

         I’m starting with the man in the mirror.” – Michael Jackson

         PUN- using specific word/phrase with one or more meaning

         The road to success is always under "construction".

         I am a very committed wife. And I should be "committed" too – for being married so many times

         Give me a torch: I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy I will bear the "light".

         As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my "forte".

         RHETORICAL QUESTION- a question does not expecting an answer for being obvious or for might not having an answer [just an effect to lay an emphasis]

         It's too hot today, isn't it?

         If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

         Do you want to be a failure for the rest of your life?

 

 

SERIES STYLE

 

         CLIMAX  - increasing importance series

         There are three things that will endure: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

         ... Lost, vaded, broken, dead within an hour.

         I came, I saw, I conquered

         ANTICLIMAX  - higher to lower series

         Tension builds in a horror movie as a young girl approaches a closed door. There is a scratching sound coming from behind the door. When she opens it, a cat comes out.

         He has seen the ravages of war, he has known natural catastrophes, he has been to singles bars.

 

REPETITION STYLE

         ALLITERATION- (S)he (s)ells (s)ea (s)hell

         ANAPHORA- (Mad) world! (Mad) kings! (Mad) composition!

         EPISTROPHE/EPIPHORA/ANTISTROPHE- Face the (dawn), fear the (dawn), own the (dawn) [opposite of anaphora]

         ASSONANCE- Therefore, all s(ea)sons shall b(e) sw(ee)t to th(ee).


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