Tag: essay
-

What is Foreshadowing?
📌 Foreshadowing Definition:Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives hints or clues about events that will happen later in the story. It helps build anticipation and prepares the reader for what’s to come. ✅ Example: In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: “My life were better ended by their hate,Than death prorogued, wanting of…
-

What is an Epistrophe?
📌 Epistrophe Definition:Epistrophe is a rhetorical device in which a word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive clauses or sentences. It is used for emphasis, rhythm, and emotional effect. ✅ Example: “…of the people, by the people, for the people.”— Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address Here, the phrase “the people” is repeated at…
-

What is Deus ex Machina?
📌 Deus ex machina Definition:Deus ex machina (Latin for “god from the machine”) is a literary device where an unexpected power or event suddenly resolves a seemingly hopeless situation. It often involves an improbable or out-of-nowhere solution that can feel forced or unrealistic. Originally, the term came from ancient Greek theatre, where gods were lowered…
-

What is Bathos?
📌 Bathos Definition:Bathos is a literary device where a serious, dramatic, or lofty tone suddenly drops into something trivial, silly, or ridiculous. It’s often used for comic effect, either intentionally or unintentionally, and creates a jarring contrast between what’s expected and what’s delivered. ✅ Example (Intentional Bathos): “He spent his final hour of life doing…
-

What is an Aphorism?
📌 Aphorism Definition:An aphorism is a concise, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or principle. It’s often witty or philosophical and is meant to be easily remembered. ✅ Example: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Other famous aphorisms: And there you go! So go ahead and use aphorism in your CXC prep/ CSEC…
-

What is an Antanaclasis?
✅ Definition: Repetition of the same word in a sentence, but with different meanings. 📌 Example: “Your argument is sound… all sound.”— Benjamin Franklin Another fun example: “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”— Vince Lombardi And there you go! Now go forth and use antanaclasis in your CXC prep/…
-

What is a Motif?
✅ Motif Definition:A motif is a recurring element in a literary work — such as an image, idea, symbol, word, or situation — that has symbolic significance and helps develop the theme of the story. Motifs support the central message by appearing multiple times throughout a text. ✅ Example: In Shakespeare’s Macbeth: 🔁 Blood is…
-

What is a Connotation?
✅ Connotation Definition:Connotation is the emotional, cultural, or implied meaning of a word — the feelings or ideas that a word suggests, beyond its literal definition (denotation). ✅ Example: When someone says,“I can’t wait to go home,”they may not just mean the physical house, but also the feelings of security and belonging it represents. Another…
-

What is a Denotation?
✅ Denotation Definition:Denotation is the literal, dictionary definition of a word — its explicit, objective meaning, without any emotional or cultural associations. ✅ Example: So if someone says, “The snake slithered across the path,”they’re using the denotation — they mean an actual reptile. So there you have it! Now go ahead and use denotation in…
-

What is an Idiom?
📌 Idiom Definition:An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal definitions of its individual words. Instead, it carries a figurative meaning understood through common use. ✅ Idiom: “Spill the beans” Example sentence:“She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about the surprise party, but she spilled the beans.” ✨ Why…