Trope - The use of a word, phrase, or image different from its normal use. Tropes are figures of speech with an unexpected twist in the meaning of words, as opposed to SCHEMES, which only deal with patterns of words. A trope is a figure of speech in which words are used in a way that changes their meaning. One of the most well known examples is a metaphor (when something is something else). There are many other types
of tropes and, when used well, they can be powerful tools. They are also
used extensively in advertising and propaganda.
These figures of speech do indeed twist the meaning of words or phrases. They are so common that many have become cliches, and these overused terms are an important thing for writers to avoid.
Some other examples include irony, metonymy, antanaclasis, and synecdoche.
Many people already know what irony means: it refers to a statement in
which words are used to express the opposite of their conventional
meaning. For example, someone might say that she had a “good time”
getting a filling at the dentist in an ironic way, when she really means
that she had a terrible time.
Similes and metaphors are both used to make comparisons or elucidate concepts.
Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare things.
METAPHORS
Similes and metaphors are both used to make comparisons or elucidate concepts.
Metaphors simply state a comparison. Similes use the words “like” or “as” to compare things.
Purpose of Metaphors
Expressions are used to give effect to a statement. Imagine how bland a statement such as “he was sad” is, compared to a statement describing a “sea of grief.” The metaphor is sure to give the reader a better idea of the depths of grief in this situation.
Similarly, who would really spend time thinking of the vast differences between success and failure if the metaphor was missing, and the statement was just “Everyone wants to be successful, no one wants to be a failure?” That statement would be a failure itself, in inspiring interest in the conversation!
Metaphors are meant to create an impact in the minds of readers. The aim of this literary tool is to convey a thought more forcefully than a plain statement would.
They are exaggerated expressions no doubt, but they are exaggerated because they are supposed to paint a vivid picture, or become a profound statement or saying.
Expressions are used to give effect to a statement. Imagine how bland a statement such as “he was sad” is, compared to a statement describing a “sea of grief.” The metaphor is sure to give the reader a better idea of the depths of grief in this situation.
Similarly, who would really spend time thinking of the vast differences between success and failure if the metaphor was missing, and the statement was just “Everyone wants to be successful, no one wants to be a failure?” That statement would be a failure itself, in inspiring interest in the conversation!
Metaphors are meant to create an impact in the minds of readers. The aim of this literary tool is to convey a thought more forcefully than a plain statement would.
They are exaggerated expressions no doubt, but they are exaggerated because they are supposed to paint a vivid picture, or become a profound statement or saying.
It's raining men - Men do not literally pour from the sky; there are simply an abundance of male suitors (2) around at the time.
Rollercoaster of emotions - A rollercoaster of emotions doesn't exist
anywhere, so when people are on a rollercoaster of emotions, they are
simply experiencing lots of ups and downs.
Broken heart - Your heart is not literally broken into pieces; you just feel hurt and sad.
Time is a thief - Time isn't really stealing anything, this metaphor
just indicates that time passes quickly and our lives pass us by.
Feel blue - No one actually ever feels like the color blue, although
many people say they are "feeling blue" to mean they are feeling sad.
The ladder of success (i.e, success is a ladder).
My brother was boiling mad. (it implies he was too angry). It's boiling hot in here.
The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships)
The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat; therefore, this implies that the coming times are going to be hard for him.)
Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)
My brother was boiling mad. (it implies he was too angry). It's boiling hot in here.
The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)
It is going to be clear skies from now on. (This implies that clear skies are not a threat and life is going to be without hardships)
The skies of his future began to darken. (Darkness is a threat; therefore, this implies that the coming times are going to be hard for him.)
Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)
Hope is a waking dream.* Writing is nothing more than a guided dream.
QUOTES
* Success is a bastard as it has many fathers, and failure is an orphan, with no takers. (How about a game of soccer? Any takers?)
* A friend is, as it were / so to speak, a second self.
* A friend is, as it were / so to speak, a second self.
* Laughter is the music of the soul.
Simile -- when something is like something else:
* A man is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong he is until you put him in hot water.
* Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
* A brain is like a muscle, it's something you should definitely train everyday; "if you don't use it, you loose it".
* Promiscuity is like never reading past the first page. Monogamy is like reading the same book over and over.
A whole is represented by naming one of its parts, or visa versa. It is related to metonymy; using a part of a physical object to represent the whole object. Synecdoche can
also work in reverse; for example, someone may say "France recently
enacted a new law” when they really mean “The French government enacted a
new law.”
Here’s a simple illustration of the difference. A new guy at the office might be described as “a new face” (synecdoche) or as “a new suit” (metonymy).
* Twenty eyes watched our every move (i.e., ten people watched our every move).
* A hungry stomach has no ears" (La Fontaine).
* France recently enacted a new law. (The French government)
* Listen, youve got to come take a look at my new set of wheels.
Repetition is the simple repeating of a word, within a sentence or a poetical line, with no particular placement of the words, in order to secure emphasis. This is such a common literary device that it is almost never even noted as a figure of speech.
Frequent repetition of a phrase or question; dwelling on a point.
One of the best known examples of epimone is Travis Bickle's self-interrogation in the film Taxi Driver (1976): "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking . . . you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who . . . do you think you're talking to? Oh yeah? Okay."
* Do what you love and do it often.
* Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
* Don't strive to be perfect. Strive for excellence. (Perfection vs Excellence)
* Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
Pleonasm - occurs when the grammar of a language makes certain function words optional. For example, consider the following English sentences:
The same phenomenon occurs in Spanish with subject pronouns. Since Spanish is a null-subject language, which allows subject pronouns to be deleted when understood, the following sentences mean the same:
The process of deleting pronouns is called pro-dropping, and it also happens in many other languages, such as Korean, Japanese, Hungarian, Latin, Portuguese, Scandinavian languages some Slavic languages, and the Lao language.
Puns -- A pun twists the meaning of words.
* Johnny B. Good. (is a pun for "Johnny be good")
Homonymic Puns -- "." Sound similarities --
Erotema -- asking a rhetorical question to the reader:
* What should honest citizens do?"
Hyperbole -- exaggeration:
* His thundering shout could split rocks.
* Yo' mama's so fat. . . ."
Meiosis -- understatement (opposite of exaggeration):
* I was somewhat worried when the psychopath ran toward me with a chainsaw.
(I was terrified).
Litotes (especially popular in Old English) is a type of meiosis in which the writer uses a statement in the negative to create the effect: "You know, Einstein is not a bad mathematician." (i.e., Einstein is a good mathematician.)
Anthimeria -- using a different part of speech to act as another, such as a verb for a noun, or a noun for a verb, or an adjective as a verb, etc.:
In rhetoric, anthimeria, traditionally and more properly called antimeria involves using one part of speech as another part of speech. Using a noun as a verb has become so common that many nouns have actually become verbs also. For example, "Let's book the flight." The noun "book" is now often used as a verb, as in this example. Other noun-as-verb usages include "I can keyboard that for you," "We need to scissor expenses," and "Desk him." Other substitutions could include an adjective used as a noun, as in "She dove into the foaming wet," interjection as verb, as in "Don't aha me!" a verb as a noun, as in "Help! I need some eat!" and so on.
* The little old lady turtled along the road. (using a noun as if it were a verb)
* Don't aha me!
* I am going in search of the great perhaps
* Words are the weapons with which we wound / hurt.
* Scars are the roadmap to the soul.
SIMILES
Simile -- when something is like something else:
Definition of Simile
Similes can be found just about anywhere; from the printed word to oral conversation; in language, literature, and music. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things that are alike in some way. To help you identify a simile versus a metaphor, know that the words “like” or “as” are typically used in a simile.
A comparison or analogy between two unlike things, usually using the connecting words “like” or “as.”
Simile is an explicit comparison between
two unlike things through the use of connecting words, usually “like”
or “as.” The technique of simile is known as a rhetorical analogy, as it is a device used for comparison. The other most popular rhetorical analogy is metaphor, which shares some traits and is often confused with simile. We explain the difference in greater detail below.
(As) sure as death and taxes: Certain to happen; inevitable and unavoidable. A variation of the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes."
* They just aren't right for each other; they're sure as death and taxes to break up eventually. * Your explanation is as clear as mud. * They are as different as night and day. * This contract is as solid as the ground we stand on. * Last night, I slept like a log.* As sure as death and taxes * As hot as hell * As cold as ice *
QUOTES
* Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going
to get. (comparing the uncertainty of life to the uncertainty of
choosing a chocolate from a box). * A man is like a tea bag. You can't tell how strong he is until you put him in hot water.
* Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
* A brain is like a muscle, it's something you should definitely train everyday; "if you don't use it, you loose it".
* Promiscuity is like never reading past the first page. Monogamy is like reading the same book over and over.
METONYMY VS SYNECDOCHE
In practice, there isn't much difference: you could arguably pick just
one of the terms and use it to describe both types of rhetorical
substitution. (I like metonymy: it's easier to spell, more spelling checkers know it, and the meaning is more apparent to me: meta+name.)
METONYMY DEFINITION
1. A figure of speech in which a word which is similar to another substitutes itself for the original. 2. A strategy for describing something indirectly by using a substitution for its name.
1. A figure of speech in which a word which is similar to another substitutes itself for the original. 2. A strategy for describing something indirectly by using a substitution for its name.
SYNECDOCHE DEFINITION
Here’s a simple illustration of the difference. A new guy at the office might be described as “a new face” (synecdoche) or as “a new suit” (metonymy).
QUOTES
* Twenty eyes watched our every move (i.e., ten people watched our every move).
* A hungry stomach has no ears" (La Fontaine).
* France recently enacted a new law. (The French government)
* Listen, youve got to come take a look at my new set of wheels.
REPETITION
Repetition is the simple repeating of a word, within a sentence or a poetical line, with no particular placement of the words, in order to secure emphasis. This is such a common literary device that it is almost never even noted as a figure of speech.
Frequent repetition of a phrase or question; dwelling on a point.
One of the best known examples of epimone is Travis Bickle's self-interrogation in the film Taxi Driver (1976): "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking . . . you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who . . . do you think you're talking to? Oh yeah? Okay."
* Do what you love and do it often.
* Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
* Don't strive to be perfect. Strive for excellence. (Perfection vs Excellence)
* Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
Pleonasm - occurs when the grammar of a language makes certain function words optional. For example, consider the following English sentences:
- "I know you are coming."
- "I know that you are coming."
The same phenomenon occurs in Spanish with subject pronouns. Since Spanish is a null-subject language, which allows subject pronouns to be deleted when understood, the following sentences mean the same:
- "Yo te amo."
- "Te amo."
The process of deleting pronouns is called pro-dropping, and it also happens in many other languages, such as Korean, Japanese, Hungarian, Latin, Portuguese, Scandinavian languages some Slavic languages, and the Lao language.
Metonymy
-- using a vaguely suggestive, physical object to
embody a more general idea: CROWN for royalty. We
use metonymy in everyday speech when we refer to
the entire movie-making industry as a mere suburb
of L.A., "Hollywood," or when we refer to the
collective decisions of the United States government
as "Washington," or the "White House."
Metonymy refers to replacing a word or phrase in a statement with a concept that is closely related. For example, pens are associated with writers, and when Thomas Paine wrote that “The pen is mightier than the sword,” he really meant that the power of words and writers was greater than that of military power. Many examples of metonymy rely on the expectation that people will understand the reference, which is why foreign examples of metonymy sometimes seem utterly mysterious or even laughable.
* The PEN is mightier than the SWORD
* If we cannot strike offenders in the heart, let us strike them in the wallet.
Metonymy refers to replacing a word or phrase in a statement with a concept that is closely related. For example, pens are associated with writers, and when Thomas Paine wrote that “The pen is mightier than the sword,” he really meant that the power of words and writers was greater than that of military power. Many examples of metonymy rely on the expectation that people will understand the reference, which is why foreign examples of metonymy sometimes seem utterly mysterious or even laughable.
* The PEN is mightier than the SWORD
* If we cannot strike offenders in the heart, let us strike them in the wallet.
Puns -- A pun twists the meaning of words.
* Johnny B. Good. (is a pun for "Johnny be good")
Homonymic Puns -- "." Sound similarities --
Personification -- giving human qualities to inanimate objects:
* The ground thirsts for rain.
* The wind whispered secrets to us.
* The clouds sailed across the sky.
* The ground thirsts for rain.
* The wind whispered secrets to us.
* The clouds sailed across the sky.
Apostrophe
-- (not to be confused with the punctuation
mark): addressing someone or some abstraction that
is not physically present: "Oh, Death, be not
proud" (John Donne). "Ah, Mr. Newton, you would be
pleased to see how far we have progressed in
physics."
Erotema -- asking a rhetorical question to the reader:
* What should honest citizens do?"
Onomatapoeia
-- echoic words or words that create an auditory
effective similar to the sound they represent:
* Buzz; Click; Rattle; Clatter; Squish; Grunt.
* Buzz; Click; Rattle; Clatter; Squish; Grunt.
Hyperbole -- exaggeration:
* His thundering shout could split rocks.
* Yo' mama's so fat. . . ."
Meiosis -- understatement (opposite of exaggeration):
* I was somewhat worried when the psychopath ran toward me with a chainsaw.
(I was terrified).
Litotes (especially popular in Old English) is a type of meiosis in which the writer uses a statement in the negative to create the effect: "You know, Einstein is not a bad mathematician." (i.e., Einstein is a good mathematician.)
Anthimeria -- using a different part of speech to act as another, such as a verb for a noun, or a noun for a verb, or an adjective as a verb, etc.:
In rhetoric, anthimeria, traditionally and more properly called antimeria involves using one part of speech as another part of speech. Using a noun as a verb has become so common that many nouns have actually become verbs also. For example, "Let's book the flight." The noun "book" is now often used as a verb, as in this example. Other noun-as-verb usages include "I can keyboard that for you," "We need to scissor expenses," and "Desk him." Other substitutions could include an adjective used as a noun, as in "She dove into the foaming wet," interjection as verb, as in "Don't aha me!" a verb as a noun, as in "Help! I need some eat!" and so on.
* The little old lady turtled along the road. (using a noun as if it were a verb)
* Don't aha me!
* I am going in search of the great perhaps
Catachresis
-- A completely impossible figure of speech,
especially one breaking the limits of realism or grammar. For example,
many figures of speech describe something biologically or physically
impossible: "Joe will kittens when he hears this!"
"I will sing victories for you." Or as Milton so elegantly
phrased it, catachresis is all about "blind mouths."
For
a more recent example, consider the disturbingly cheerful pop song by
Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks," which deals with a school
shooting. Here, the shooter/narrator states, "I've waited for a long
time. Yeah, the sleight of my hand is now a quick-pull trigger. / I
reason with my cigarette." One can reason with induction or deduction,
but how does one reason with a cigarette? Here, the catachresis might
evoke the idea of the "cool" kid using personal style instead of a
persuasive argument, or it might evoke the imagery of torture--burning
victims with a cigarette-butt to make one's point. This sort of
evocative, almost nonsensical language is the heart of good catachresis.
Catachresis is closely related to hyperbole and synaesthesia.
Synæsthesia
-- Mixing one type of sensory input with another
in an impossible way, such as speaking of how a
color sounds, or how a smell looks: "The scent of
the rose rang like a bell through the garden." "I
caressed the darkness with cool fingers."
Aporia
-- Talking about not being able to talk about
something: "I can't tell you how often writers use
aporia."
Aposiopesis --
Breaking off as if unable to continue: "The fire
surrounds them while -- I cannot go on."
Oxymoron (plural oxymora also called Paradox)--
Using contradiction in a manner that oddly makes
sense. Examples of oxymora include jumbo shrimp, sophisticated rednecks, and military intelligence.
The best oxymora seem to reveal a deeper truth
through their contradictions. For instance,
"without laws, we can have no freedom." Shakespeare's
Julius Caesar also makes use of a famous oxymoron: "Cowards die many times before their deaths" (2.2.32).
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