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- Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which, most often, a part of something is used to refer to its whole. For example, "The captain commands one hundred sails" is a synecdoche that uses "sails" to refer to ships—ships being the thing of which a sail is a part. A less common form of synecdoche occurs when a whole is used to refer to a part.
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- Definition of Synecdoche. Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part of something is used to signify the whole, or vice-versa. In fact, it’s derived from the Greek word synekdoche: “simultaneous meaning.”
- Common Examples of Synecdoche. Here are some examples of synecdoche that may be found in everyday expression: The White House (signifies the U.S. president or executive branch)
- Examples of Synecdoche as Character Names. Fictional characters often feature synecdoche in their names to indicate an aspect or part of them that signifies their nature as a whole.
- Famous Examples of Synecdoche. Think you haven’t heard of any famous synecdoche? Here are some well-known and recognizable examples of this figure of speech
Sep 24, 2024 · Why Use Synecdoche in Writing. Writers use synecdoche for the following reasons: To evoke vivid imagery in their readers — because the more senses involved, the longer something dwells in your memory. To create connections between complex ideas, which engages the memory and makes the words more meaningful.
Mar 14, 2023 · Synecdoche (pronounced sin-ek-duh-kee) is a figure of speech in which a specific part of something is used to refer to the whole thing. It comes from the Greek word synekdoche, which means “simultaneous meaning.”. For example, using synecdoche, the word threads means clothing, heels means high-heeled shoes, and a suit is a businessperson ...
- Synecdoche Definition
- Synecdoche Examples
- Why Do Writers Use Synecdoche?
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What is synecdoche? Here’s a quick and simple definition: Some additional key details about synecdoche: 1. Generations of writers have used synecdoche in both poetry and prose. 2. Synecdoche is a device used in many idioms, colloquial expressions, and slang terms. 3. One common form of synecdoche uses a body part (hand, heart, head, eyes, etc.) to ...
Synecdoche appears often in everyday speech, often as a part of idioms that have become so well known that few people ever stop to think about the fact that these expressions don't mean what they literally say. Synecdoche also commonly appears in all sorts of literature, from prose to poetry.
Synecdoche is a versatile literary device, and writers use synecdoche for many reasons. Often synecdoches can elevate language, making a sentence or phrase sound more interesting or more poetic. Synecdoches can also help the writer create a strong voice for a character or for a narrator. In the example from Macbeth, for example, Shakespeare uses th...
This website gives an overview of the Four Master Tropes of rhetoric, Kenneth Burke's famous literary theory of figures of speech. Synecdoche and metonymy are two of the four devices that Burke ide...For the film buffs out there, read The Guardian's review of the 2009 film Synecdoche, New York, which uses the idea of synecdoche to explore the part-to-whole relationship between art and reality....Definition of Synecdoche: It's a figure of speech that uses a part of something to refer to the whole of that something. For example, the term “getting eyeballs” is a synecdoche from the advertising world meaning they want to draw the attention of potential customers.
Common Examples of Synecdoche. There are many common expressions that are examples of synecdoche. Here is a list of some of these examples: Boots on the ground—refers to soldiers. New wheels—refers to a new car. Ask for her hand—refers to asking a woman to marry. Suits—can refer to businesspeople. Plastic—can refer to credit cards.
Example of Synecdoche in Literature. Synecdoche is used throughout all literature. Because it is a type of figurative language (symbolism, more specifically), writers use it in poetry, prose, drama, and non-fiction. Synecdoche is often used to mimic spoken language.