Writing Terms You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
As writers, we use language every day to create worlds, characters, and stories – but there still might be some writing terms that you’ve never even heard of… In this post, we'll explore some lesser-known writing terms that can help you improve your craft – and impress your fellow writers.
Anaphora. Anaphora is a rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. This technique is often used in speeches or persuasive writing to emphasize a point and create a sense of rhythm. For example, in Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech, he repeats the phrase "I have a dream" to powerful effect.
Homonym. Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. For example, "right" and "write" are homonyms. Using homonyms in your writing can be a fun way to play with language, but it's important to use them correctly to avoid confusion.
Enjambment. Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of flow and can be used to build tension or emphasize certain words or ideas. For example, in William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," he uses enjambment to convey the movement of the clouds: "Continuous as the stars that shine / And twinkle on the Milky Way."
Sibilance. Sibilance is a type of alliteration that uses the repetition of "s" or "sh" sounds. This technique can create a sense of hissing or whispering, and is often used to create a mood of mystery or tension. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," he uses sibilance to create a sense of foreboding: "And the silken, sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain / Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before."
Epanalepsis. Epanalepsis is a rhetorical device where a word or phrase is repeated at the beginning and end of a sentence or clause. This can create a sense of symmetry and emphasis, and is often used for dramatic effect. For example, in Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," he uses epanalepsis to emphasize the contrasting nature of the two cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness."
Incorporating these lesser-known writing terms into your work can add depth and complexity to your writing. Try experimenting with anaphora to create a sense of rhythm, or using homonyms for wordplay. Enjambment can add a sense of flow to your poetry, while sibilance can create a mood of mystery or tension. And epanalepsis can be a powerful tool for emphasizing contrasting ideas. By expanding your writing vocabulary, you can take your craft to the next level – and have these in your back pocket if (like me) you regularly attend a pub quiz!
