Words for Different Speech & Writing Styles
Rhetorical devices and literary techniques
20 words available
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allegory
Story with a symbolic meaning, often moral or political.
"The novel is an allegory of oppression."
alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.
"The phrase "Peter Piper" shows alliteration."
aphorism
A short, pithy statement that expresses a general truth.
"“Actions speak louder than words” is an aphorism."
cliche
An overused phrase or idea that has lost originality.
"“At the end of the day” is a cliche."
epigram
A brief, witty, and often paradoxical statement.
"“I can resist everything except temptation” is an epigram."
euphemism
A mild or indirect word used in place of a harsher one.
"“Passed away” is a euphemism for “died.”"
hyperbole
Deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.
"Saying "I'm starving" when slightly hungry is hyperbole."
irony
A contrast between expectation and reality, often humorous or poignant.
"Calling a huge man "Tiny" is irony."
litotes
Understatement expressed by using a negative to affirm a positive.
"Saying "not bad" to mean "very good" is litotes."
metaphor
A direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as".
"“Time is a thief” is a metaphor."
metonymy
Substituting a word with something closely associated with it.
"“The crown” meaning the monarchy is an example of metonymy."
oxymoron
A figure of speech combining contradictory terms.
"“Bittersweet” is an oxymoron."
parody
A humorous or satirical imitation of a work or style.
"The parody mocked the politician's speech."
pun
A humorous play on words that exploits multiple meanings or similar sounds.
"“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana” is a famous pun."
rhetoric
The art of persuasive speaking or writing.
"He studied rhetoric to improve his speeches."
satire
Use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or expose.
"Satire exposes society's flaws through wit."
soliloquy
A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud, often alone on stage.
"Hamlet's soliloquy begins "To be, or not to be.""
sonnet
A 14-line poem, typically with a specific rhyme scheme.
"Shakespeare mastered the sonnet."