Polypton is a word scheme that plays with derivative forms of the same word. FDR offers a famous example in his claim that the “only thing we have to fear (1) is fear (2) itself.” Fear #1 is a verb in infinitive form, while fear #3 is a noun. Both words, of course, share an … Continue reading On polypton
Category: Wordplay
On agnomination
Agnomination is a word scheme that replaces one word in a phrase with a similar sounding word that offers a contrast of meaning, often an antithesis. The scheme results a stark either/or premise with an "echo" effect. The most famous example in modern oratory is Malcolm X's "the ballot or the bullet" speech. The use … Continue reading On agnomination
On metonymy
Synecdoche, which I looked at last week, is actually a subcategory of another rhetorical device: metonymy. Metonymy involves the substitution of one term for a closely related term. In the case of synecdoche, that substitution involves the whole for the part ("the FBI" for the "the agent") or the part for the whole ("the hand" … Continue reading On metonymy
On synecdoche
Synecdoche is a device best known as the substitution of the part for the whole, as in “all hands on deck” or “mouths to feed.” But what I’d forgotten is that the reverse is also synecdoche—the substitution of the whole for the part. What I hadn’t realized is that I’m a a frequent user of … Continue reading On synecdoche
On alliteration
As a device, alliteration is a pretty obvious one. Read a passage aloud (or even silently) and it will jump out at you. It's hard to miss a string of similar sounding words. Alliteration can delight—but also irritate—the reader. It's a delicate device that wears out its welcome pretty quickly. That last sentence? I wrote … Continue reading On alliteration
On the story of your name icebreaker
One of my favorite library finds of last year was Creative Acts for Curious People—a Stanford d.school publication that compiled dozens of icebreakers, group activities, and creative exercises. The icebreakers were more than the typical single question variety. My favorite one in the book is “Story of Your Name.” Find someone in the room you … Continue reading On the story of your name icebreaker
On anadiplosis
A few months ago, when I learned the name of this rhetorical device, I laughed out loud. I couldn't have told you the name, but I use it all the time. Anadiplosis means a "doubling back" or a "making double," referring to the practice of beginning a clause with the same word or phrase that … Continue reading On anadiplosis
On feeling old for not knowing what a glizzy is
Do you know what a "glizzy" is? I’m 32 years old, a late millennial, and I feel—at times—profoundly disconnected from the Gen Z that are at the nexus of current pop culture. Glizzy is just the latest evidence of this. If you, like me, still don’t know what I’m talking about: Glizzy, apparently, is slang … Continue reading On feeling old for not knowing what a glizzy is
On story structure and John McPhee
Over the past week I’ve enjoyed flipping through John McPhee’s Draft No. 4, a collection of essays outlining his approach to writing and journalism. His essay on “structure” may be the most satisfying part of the group. McPhee is rightly famous for his thoughtful story structures, many of which upend the traditional chronological narrative. There’s … Continue reading On story structure and John McPhee
On wanting a better understanding of rhetoric
Rhetoric is one of those subject areas I whiffed on as I cruised through high school and college. I missed out on others, too—economics, statistics, sociology, logic, geology, and many others—but rhetoric is one I think about. And—writing for a living (or part of one, anyway)—I've felt a little self-conscious about this gap in my … Continue reading On wanting a better understanding of rhetoric
Taylor Coe 