Starting with C
a phrase, idea, or sentence that has become overly familiar or commonplace.
Cliche
the arrangement of details or ideas in order of increasing importance or force: the principle of saving the best for last
Climactic order
an emphatic statement; declaration
Assertion
a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase
an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant.
Euphemism
categorizing something or someone into a certain group or system based on certain characteristics
Classification
The repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence
Parallel Structure
modify, limit, or restrict your agreement or disagreement by presenting exceptions
Qualification
A comical imitation of another work.
Parody
a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept.
Metonymy
A statement that might be true but is not proven; like an educated guess
Conjecture
a comment concerning the sentence or paragraph
Parenthetical Commentary
used for listing details, or a process of mentioning words or phrases step by step.
Enumeration
A phrase or sentence that can not be true and can not false.
Paradox
conversational literary device, often used for comedic purposes
Non Sequitur
Constantly repeating itself
Choric Repetition
using understatement to say one thing with the intention of actually communicating something quite different.
Ironical Understatement
Repeating an expression while adding more detail to it, in order to emphasize something that would otherwise be passed over
Amplification
a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule
Satire
argument that is often a personal attack on someone's character or motive rather than an attempt to address the actual issue at hand.
Ad Hominem
a figure of speech in which the grammar of one phrase is inverted in the following phrase
Chiasmus
change in the pattern of words in the formation of a sentence
Inverted Syntax
denial of the truth of a clause or sentence, typically involving the use of a negative word (no, never, nothing)
Negation
the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning, or "wrong moves" in the construction of an argument.
Fallacy
metrical pause or break in a verse where one phrase ends and another phrase begins
Caesura