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Verbal Irony

Definition of Verbal Irony Verbal irony is a form of irony in which someone says or writes something that is in opposition to the person’s true meaning. There must be some indication, however, that the speaker does not exactly mean what she or he says. This can be demonstrated through competing information, tone of voice, etc. This makes verbal irony

Dramatic Irony

Definition of Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs in a piece of literature when the audience knows something that some characters in the narrative do not. The spectator of a play, or reader of a novel or poem, thus has information that at least some of the characters are unaware of, which affects the way the audience member reacts to the

Situational Irony

Definition of Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when something happens that is very different than what was expected. Every type of irony involves some contrast between what seems to be the case on a surface level and what is really happening. In cases of situational irony, there is often a twist that plays with the expectations of the audience and/or

Irony

Definition of Irony As a literary device, irony is a contrast or incongruity between expectations for a situation and what is reality. This can be a difference between the surface meaning of something that is said and the underlying meaning. It can also be a difference between what might be expected to happen and what actually occurs. The definition of irony

Essay

Definition of Essay An essay is a short piece writing, either formal or informal, which expresses the author’s argument about a particular subject. A formal essay has a serious purpose and highly structured organization, while an informal essay may contain humor, personal recollections and anecdotes, and any sort of organization or form which the author wants. Note that while a

Semantic

Definition of Semantic Semantic refers to the different meanings of words, phrases, signs, or other symbols. The study of these meanings is called semantics. Just as important as the individual meaning of a certain word in semantics (i.e., the denotation) is the relationship between different signifiers and how meaning in one word influences meaning in another word or sign. Semantics

Eulogy

Definition of Eulogy A eulogy is a commemorative speech or piece of writing in praise of someone who has recently died, or someone who is leaving, such as a retiree. Eulogies are a common part of funeral services around the world, and can also be found in retirement celebrations or farewell parties. The word eulogy comes from the Classical Greek

Trope

Definition of Trope A trope is any word used in a figurative sense (i.e., a figure of speech) or a reoccurring theme or device in a work of literature. The first definition of trope can refer to numerous types of figures of speech, which we explore below. The second definition of trope can be slightly derogatory in that a reoccurring

Exaggeration

Definition of Exaggeration Exaggeration is a way of over-emphasizing something, either making it better or worse than it really is. Exaggeration can be used to communicate the importance of something, to create a lasting impression, or to evoke stronger feelings than otherwise. The word exaggeration comes from the Latin word exaggerationem, which means “elevation” or “exaltation.” The original literal root

Comedy

Definition of Comedy Comedy is a form of entertainment meant to be humorous, whether in literature, television, film, or stand-up. The goal of most comedy examples is to induce laughter in the audience. There are many different forms of comedy, such as screwball comedy, black comedy, innuendo, parody, satire, pun, comedy of manners, romantic comedy, farce, burlesque, sarcasm, dramatic irony,

Villanelle

Definition of Villanelle A villanelle is a poetic form with nineteen lines and a strict pattern of repetition and a rhyme scheme. Each villanelle is comprised of five tercets (i.e., a three-line stanza) followed by one quatrain (a stanza with four lines). The first and third lines of the opening tercet are repeated in an alternating pattern as the final

Bathos

Definition of Bathos Bathos is a sudden change of tone in a work of writing, usually from the sublime to the ridiculous. This may be done unintentionally, and creates a sappy, overly sentimental effect that is a mark of amateur writing. On the other hand, it can be done knowingly and for comedic effect, and is found in many skits

Synecdoche

Definition of Synecdoche Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that refers to a part of something is substituted to stand in for the whole, or vice versa. For example, the phrase “all hands on deck” is a demand for all of the crew to help, yet the word “hands”—just a part of the crew—stands

Satire

Definition of Satire Satire is a genre of literature that uses wit for the purpose of social criticism. Satire ridicules problems in society, government, businesses, and individuals in order to bring attention to certain follies, vices, and abuses, as well as to lead to improvements. Irony and sarcasm are often an important aspect of satire. Satirists also often use juxtaposition,

Antithesis

Definition of Antithesis Antithesis is the use of contrasting concepts, words, or sentences within parallel grammatical structures. This combination of a balanced structure with opposite ideas serves to highlight the contrast between them. For example, the following famous Muhammad Ali quote is an example of antithesis: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” This is an antithesis example because

Literary Devices

What are Literary Devices? From the very first time humans began sharing stories, literary devices have played a key role in our history. Along with the creation of storytelling came the development of narrative elements like plot, character, and tone. As storytelling evolved over the millennia, so too did the range and complexity of techniques available to authors. Many of

Style

Definition of Style In literature, style comprises many literary devices that an author employs to create a distinct feel for a work. These devices include, but are not limited to, point of view, symbolism, tone, imagery, diction, voice, syntax, and the method of narration. Style is a fundamental aspect of fiction, as it is naturally part of every work of

Sarcasm

Definition of Sarcasm Sarcasm is a remark made mockingly, ironically, or in bitter contempt so as to show some foolishness on the part of the interlocutor. Sarcasm can be quite harsh and biting, or it can be said in teasing jest. Usually sarcastic statements could be construed as being genuine, because they are often appropriate to the situation on a

Epistrophe

Definition of Epistrophe Epistrophe is a figure of speech that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Epistrophe is also known as epiphora or antistrophe. The word epistrophe comes from the Greek for “return.” The definition of epistrophe is opposite to that of anaphora, which is the repetition of words at

Ellipsis

Definition of Ellipsis Ellipsis is the omission of a word or series of words. There are two slightly different definitions of ellipsis which are pertinent to literature. The first definition of ellipsis is the commonly used series of three dots, which can be place at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence or clause. These

Epiphany

Definition of Epiphany When used as a literary device, an epiphany is a moment in which there is a sudden realization that leads to a new perspective that clarifies a problem or situation. A character may have an epiphany, or it may also occur in the narration such that the reader has the epiphany. The word epiphany comes from the