Stylistic Devices – Antithesis
contrasting relationship between two ideas
Antithesis emphasises the contrast between two ideas. The structure of the phrases / clauses is usually similar in order to draw the reader's / listener's attention directly to the contrast.
Examples:
* That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. (Neil Armstrong)
* To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Pope)
* It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. (Pope)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Parenthesis
Stylistic Devices – Parenthesis
additional information
The normal progression of a sentence is interrupted by extra information or explanations enclosed in commas, brackets or dashes. The extra information can be a single word, a phrase or even a sentence.
Examples:
* We (myself, wife Lorraine and daughters Caroline and Joanna) boarded our boat 'Lynn', a Duchess class vessel barely a year old, at Black Prince Holidays' Chirk boatyard. (4)
* The boats have remarkably few controls and we were given a thorough briefing about 'driving' ours–along with advice on mooring, lock operation and safety considerations–by Pauline, who even set off with us for a few minutes to ensure we were confident. (4)
additional information
The normal progression of a sentence is interrupted by extra information or explanations enclosed in commas, brackets or dashes. The extra information can be a single word, a phrase or even a sentence.
Examples:
* We (myself, wife Lorraine and daughters Caroline and Joanna) boarded our boat 'Lynn', a Duchess class vessel barely a year old, at Black Prince Holidays' Chirk boatyard. (4)
* The boats have remarkably few controls and we were given a thorough briefing about 'driving' ours–along with advice on mooring, lock operation and safety considerations–by Pauline, who even set off with us for a few minutes to ensure we were confident. (4)
Parallelism
Stylistic Devices – Parallelism
parallel sentence structure
Successive clauses or sentences are similarly structured. This similarity makes it easier for the reader / listener to concentrate on the message.
Example:
* We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interest, and teach us what it means to be citizens. (2)
* The mediocre teacher tells, The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. (William A. Ward)
* The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. (Charles Caleb Colton)
* Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn. (Benjamin Franklin)
Note: When writing, parallelism is a useful device for instructions. Due to the parallel structure, the reader can concentrate on the message and will immediately know what to do (see examples below).
Example 1 (no parallelism):
* Open the book first.
* You must read the text now.
* There are pictures in the book–Look at them.
* The questions must be answered.
Example 2 (parallelism):
* Open the book.
* Read the text.
* Look at the pictures.
* Answer the questions.
You surely agree that the second instruction is easier to follow (and to remember) than the first one. The change of structure in the first example is confusing and distracts the reader from the actual message. It might be okay with simple messages like the ones we used here. But following more complex instructions is really hard if they are not in parallel structure.
parallel sentence structure
Successive clauses or sentences are similarly structured. This similarity makes it easier for the reader / listener to concentrate on the message.
Example:
* We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interest, and teach us what it means to be citizens. (2)
* The mediocre teacher tells, The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. (William A. Ward)
* The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. (Charles Caleb Colton)
* Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn. (Benjamin Franklin)
Note: When writing, parallelism is a useful device for instructions. Due to the parallel structure, the reader can concentrate on the message and will immediately know what to do (see examples below).
Example 1 (no parallelism):
* Open the book first.
* You must read the text now.
* There are pictures in the book–Look at them.
* The questions must be answered.
Example 2 (parallelism):
* Open the book.
* Read the text.
* Look at the pictures.
* Answer the questions.
You surely agree that the second instruction is easier to follow (and to remember) than the first one. The change of structure in the first example is confusing and distracts the reader from the actual message. It might be okay with simple messages like the ones we used here. But following more complex instructions is really hard if they are not in parallel structure.
Hypophora
Stylistic Devices – Hypophora
question raised and answered by the author / speaker
The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience's attention and make them curious. Often the question is raised at the beginning of a paragraph and answered in the course of that paragraph. Hypophora can also be used, however, to introduce a new area of discussion.
Example:
* Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
* How many countries have actually hit […] the targets set at Rio, or in Kyoto in 1998, for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions? Precious few. (6)
question raised and answered by the author / speaker
The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience's attention and make them curious. Often the question is raised at the beginning of a paragraph and answered in the course of that paragraph. Hypophora can also be used, however, to introduce a new area of discussion.
Example:
* Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
* How many countries have actually hit […] the targets set at Rio, or in Kyoto in 1998, for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions? Precious few. (6)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Antithesis
Stylistic Devices – Antithesis
contrasting relationship between two ideas
Antithesis emphasises the contrast between two ideas. The structure of the phrases / clauses is usually similar in order to draw the reader's / listener's attention directly to the contrast.
Examples:
* That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. (Neil Armstrong)
* To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Pope)
* It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. (Pope)
contrasting relationship between two ideas
Antithesis emphasises the contrast between two ideas. The structure of the phrases / clauses is usually similar in order to draw the reader's / listener's attention directly to the contrast.
Examples:
* That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. (Neil Armstrong)
* To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Pope)
* It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. (Pope)
Parenthesis
Stylistic Devices – Parenthesis
additional information
The normal progression of a sentence is interrupted by extra information or explanations enclosed in commas, brackets or dashes. The extra information can be a single word, a phrase or even a sentence.
Examples:
* We (myself, wife Lorraine and daughters Caroline and Joanna) boarded our boat 'Lynn', a Duchess class vessel barely a year old, at Black Prince Holidays' Chirk boatyard. (4)
* The boats have remarkably few controls and we were given a thorough briefing about 'driving' ours–along with advice on mooring, lock operation and safety considerations–by Pauline, who even set off with us for a few minutes to ensure we were confident. (4)
additional information
The normal progression of a sentence is interrupted by extra information or explanations enclosed in commas, brackets or dashes. The extra information can be a single word, a phrase or even a sentence.
Examples:
* We (myself, wife Lorraine and daughters Caroline and Joanna) boarded our boat 'Lynn', a Duchess class vessel barely a year old, at Black Prince Holidays' Chirk boatyard. (4)
* The boats have remarkably few controls and we were given a thorough briefing about 'driving' ours–along with advice on mooring, lock operation and safety considerations–by Pauline, who even set off with us for a few minutes to ensure we were confident. (4)
Parallelism
Stylistic Devices – Parallelism
parallel sentence structure
Successive clauses or sentences are similarly structured. This similarity makes it easier for the reader / listener to concentrate on the message.
Example:
* We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interest, and teach us what it means to be citizens. (2)
* The mediocre teacher tells, The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. (William A. Ward)
* The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. (Charles Caleb Colton)
* Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn. (Benjamin Franklin)
Note: When writing, parallelism is a useful device for instructions. Due to the parallel structure, the reader can concentrate on the message and will immediately know what to do (see examples below).
Example 1 (no parallelism):
* Open the book first.
* You must read the text now.
* There are pictures in the book–Look at them.
* The questions must be answered.
Example 2 (parallelism):
* Open the book.
* Read the text.
* Look at the pictures.
* Answer the questions.
You surely agree that the second instruction is easier to follow (and to remember) than the first one. The change of structure in the first example is confusing and distracts the reader from the actual message. It might be okay with simple messages like the ones we used here. But following more complex instructions is really hard if they are not in parallel structure.
parallel sentence structure
Successive clauses or sentences are similarly structured. This similarity makes it easier for the reader / listener to concentrate on the message.
Example:
* We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interest, and teach us what it means to be citizens. (2)
* The mediocre teacher tells, The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. (William A. Ward)
* The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise man are known to himself, but not to the world. (Charles Caleb Colton)
* Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn. (Benjamin Franklin)
Note: When writing, parallelism is a useful device for instructions. Due to the parallel structure, the reader can concentrate on the message and will immediately know what to do (see examples below).
Example 1 (no parallelism):
* Open the book first.
* You must read the text now.
* There are pictures in the book–Look at them.
* The questions must be answered.
Example 2 (parallelism):
* Open the book.
* Read the text.
* Look at the pictures.
* Answer the questions.
You surely agree that the second instruction is easier to follow (and to remember) than the first one. The change of structure in the first example is confusing and distracts the reader from the actual message. It might be okay with simple messages like the ones we used here. But following more complex instructions is really hard if they are not in parallel structure.
Hypophora
Stylistic Devices – Hypophora
question raised and answered by the author / speaker
The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience's attention and make them curious. Often the question is raised at the beginning of a paragraph and answered in the course of that paragraph. Hypophora can also be used, however, to introduce a new area of discussion.
Example:
* Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
* How many countries have actually hit […] the targets set at Rio, or in Kyoto in 1998, for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions? Precious few. (6)
question raised and answered by the author / speaker
The author / speaker raises a question and also gives an answer to the question. Hypophora is used to get the audience's attention and make them curious. Often the question is raised at the beginning of a paragraph and answered in the course of that paragraph. Hypophora can also be used, however, to introduce a new area of discussion.
Example:
* Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
* How many countries have actually hit […] the targets set at Rio, or in Kyoto in 1998, for cutting greenhouse-gas emissions? Precious few. (6)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)