types:
allegory
an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor
analysis
the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., `the father of the bride' instead of `the bride's father'
bathos
triteness or triviality of style
black humor,
black humour
the juxtaposition of morbid and farcical elements (in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect
device
something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect
euphuism
any artificially elegant style of language
flatness
a want of animation or brilliance
headlinese
using the abbreviated style of headline writers
jargon
specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
journalese
the style in which newspapers are written
legalese
a style that uses the abstruse technical vocabulary of the law
officialese
the style of writing characteristic of some government officials: formal and obscure
pathos
a style that has the power to evoke feelings
prose
matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
rhetoric
using language effectively to please or persuade
self-expression
the expression of one's individuality (usually through creative activities)
terseness
a neatly short and concise expressive style
vein
a distinctive style or manner
poetry
any communication resembling poetry in beauty or the evocation of feeling
ethos
a rhetorical appeal that relies on the character or credibility of the speaker
logos
a rhetorical appeal to the audience's reason or rationality
voice
the distinctive way a writer uses language to express their personality and ideas
drama
the literary genre of works intended for the theater
prose
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
sentimentalism
the excessive expression of tender feelings, nostalgia, or sadness in any form
flourish
a display of ornamental speech or language
African-American music,
black music
music created by African-American musicians; early forms were songs that had a melodic line and a strong rhythmic beat with repeated choruses
address
the manner of speaking to another individual
catch
a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
Gongorism
an affected elegance of style that was introduced into Spanish literature by the poet Gongora
conceit
an artistic device or effect
ecobabble
using the technical language of ecology to make the user seem ecologically aware
Eurobabble
the jargon of European community documents and regulations
gobbledygook
incomprehensible or wordy jargon of specialists
psychobabble
using language loaded with psychological terminology
boilerplate
standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories
colloquialism
a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech
idiom,
parlance
a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
Americanism
an expression that is characteristic of English as spoken by Americans
shibboleth
a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people
elocution
an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice and gesture
inflection,
modulation
a manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified
technobabble
technical jargon from computing and other high-tech subjects
conceit
a witty or ingenious turn of phrase
crispness
an expressive style that is direct and to the point
brevity
the use of brief expressions
pleonasm
using more words than necessary
form
an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse
rhetorical device
a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
imagery
the use of vivid, descriptive language in literature, especially language that appeals to the senses
satire
a literary genre that uses humor to ridicule human failings and vices
impressionism
a literary style that seeks to evoke feelings and sensory responses, rather than representing reality objectively