Enthymeme describes an argument where one premise is assumed to be so obvious to the audience that it is implied rather than stated. Enthymemes make it much easier to form a logical argument, because it is not necessary to explain each premise.
Enthymeme examplesThe low voter turnout is a concern to everyone. [It is implied that high voter turnout is good.]
It’s a good idea on a long drive to take regular breaks. [It is implied that driving while tired is dangerous.]
There are lots of apps that will help you track and regulate your screen time. [It is implied that too much screen time is harmful.]
Published on
December 10, 2024
by
Trevor Marshall.
Revised on
January 30, 2025.
Anastrophe is a literary device, sometimes called “inversion,” where the word order in a sentence or phrase is reversed. It is done for emphasis, to maintain rhyme or meter in a poem, or for some other effect desired by the author.
Anastrophe examples“Stone Walls do not a Prison make,
Nor Iron bars a Cage” —“To Althea, from Prison” by Richard Lovelace
“Ask not what your country can do for you” —John F. Kennedy’s inauguration speech
“So here I go, it’s my shot; feet, fail me not” —“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
An allusion is commonly used in literature, cinema, music, and art. It is a reference to a person, place, or event that the speaker or writer assumes will be understood by their audience, with the effect that it adds a layer of meaning or insight to the text.
Allusion examplesMicawber-like, Eric assumed that the answer to his problems was just around the corner. [Mr. Micawber in Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield optimistically believes that “something will turn up” to solve his problems.]
Booking this late meant that it was Hobson’s choice for Julie when it came to flights. [Named after a livery stable owner who offered customers the horse nearest the door, or none.]
Winning the election was the governor’s Austerlitz and marked a new phase in local politics. [Napoleon won the battle of Austerlitz, and the battle is often seen as a brilliant and decisive victory.]
Published on
December 4, 2024
by
Ryan Cove.
Revised on
February 5, 2025.
Litotes is a rhetorical device in which a positive point is expressed by using double negatives (e.g., “that’s not bad” to describe something amazing). It’s used in everyday language and literature to subtly emphasize a point, create irony, or use a subtle or modest tone.
Litotes examples“I’m not unfamiliar with the topic” to say you know about something.
“You’re not wrong” to say that someone is correct.
Paronomasia, commonly known as a pun, is a type of wordplay that uses multiple meanings of a word or phrase or homophones for humorous effect (e.g., “I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. I can’t put it down”).
Paronomasia exampleIn Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio says, “Ask me for tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” In this example, he exploits both interpretations of “grave”—“serious” and “dead”—to mean two different things.
Pleonasm is when you use more words than necessary to express your point. Pleonasms are sometimes considered a stylistic error because they add superfluous and often redundant words. However, pleonasms can be used as a literary device to bring attention to specific ideas or create rhythm.
Pleonasm examples“Don’t forget your PIN number.” (The N in “PIN” stands for “number”)
“I’ll love you forever and always.” (“Forever” and “always” mean the same thing)
Published on
December 3, 2024
by
Ryan Cove.
Revised on
February 5, 2025.
Understatement is a rhetorical device in which someone deliberately downplays the significance or severity of a situation. Depending on the context, it can be used to bring attention to something indirectly or create a humorous or ironic effect.
Understatement examples“It’s a bit windy” to describe a hurricane.
“That didn’t go as planned” to describe something that was a disaster.
Published on
November 26, 2024
by
Ryan Cove.
Revised on
February 7, 2025.
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.
Overstatement examplesHe runs faster than the speed of light.
Published on
November 25, 2024
by
Ryan Cove.
Revised on
January 31, 2025.
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).
Synecdoche examplesThat’s a lot of mouths to feed. [people]
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.
Enjambment example: excerpt from “The Waste Land” by T. S. EliotApril is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
