Class Assignment: Literary Devices & Figures of Speech

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Literary Devices & Figures of Speech

 

 

 

 

 

The King’s University, Southlake, Texas

Biblical Background and Interpretation (2021FA-BIBL-2301-ONL)

Professor: Dr. J. Wallace

09/19/2021

 

By Darrell Wolfe

 

Matching Terms to Verses

 

Anthropomorphism - the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object -"You have a strong arm [O LORD]; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted."  (Ps. 89:13) 

Litotes - ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (e.g., you won't be sorry, meaning you'll be glad ). - I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small."  (Jer. 30:19b)

Metonymy - the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing. - "The tongue of the wise person brings healing." (Prov. 12:18b)

Euphemism - a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. - "Thus says the Lord, 'Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away.'" (Nah. 1:12a)

Apostrophe - As a literary device, apostrophe refers to a speech or address to a person who is not present or to a personified object, such as Yorick's skull in Hamlet. It comes from the Greek word apostrephein which means "to turn away." - “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1Cor. 15:55)

Pleonasm - A pleonasm is when one uses too many words to express a message. A pleonasm can either be a mistake or a tool for emphasis. Pleonasm (pronounced ˈplē-ə-ˌna-zəm) is derived from the Greek phrase pleonasmos meaning “excessive.” - "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."  (Rom. 7:19-20)

Aphorism - Aphorism is a short statement expressing general truths or opinions. Aphorisms are often applied to matters of philosophical, moral, and literary principles, usually using metaphors and other creative imagery. - "Whatever you sow, you will also reap."  (Gal. 6:7)

Simile - A simile is a figure of speech and type of metaphor that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.” The purpose of a simile is to help describe one thing by comparing it to another thing that is perhaps seemingly unrelated. - "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."  (Isa. 1:18)

Hyperbole - Hyperbole is a rhetorical and literary technique where an author or speaker intentionally uses exaggeration and overstatement for emphasis and effect. - "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." (Matt. 19:24)

Rhetorical question - A rhetorical question is asked just for effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed, when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis to the point. ... Such a question is used to emphasize a point or draw the audience's attention. - "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen. 18:14)