Literary Devices

Anticlimax
• Climax would be the high point of action, energy, and emotion
within a narrative work; therefore, an anticlimax refers to a scene
that one would imagine to have these features, but which is
instead just dull and relatively nondescript.
• Anticlimax usually implies that a narrative arc was developed
somewhat poorly, or that the action peaked too quickly or too
early.
• The word does not generally have a positive connotation.
• An event, occurrence, time period, or outcome that is much less
exciting or dramatic than it was expected to be
• A disappointing result to a situation or a disappointing ending.
• A sudden discourse transition from an important or significant
idea to one considered trivial or ludicrous
• Used in literature or speaking to convey a disappointing
situation.
• At a specific point in the narrative, expectations are raised and
built-up to a crescendo until the expected exciting and positive
conclusion is derailed by a dull, disappointing, or non-event.
How anti-climax is used
• Convey a tragic or ridiculous situation that is a result of human
action.
• Usually has a comedic effect in literature or speech, and is often
used in satire

Examples:
Examples in literature:

The Hunger Games

• The ending of the games in The Hunger Games is somewhat
anticlimactic.
• Katniss and Peeta prepare to die together rather than kill each
other.
• Just before they can eat the berries and defy the Capitol, the
game-makers end the games.

Litotes
• A deliberate understatement, especially when expressing a
thought by denying its opposite
Purpose:
• To greatly underestimate.
• It is the opposite of a hyperbole because a hyperbole is an
exaggeration while a litotes is an understatement.
• An author uses this trope to gain the readers' favour and to
express modesty.
• Mostly through double negatives
Examples:
Relates to:
• Meiosis- Reference to something with a name disproportionately
lesser than its nature (includes litotes).
• Irony- a figure of speech in which one thing is said but the
opposite is meant.
• Sarcasm- Remarks that mean the opposite of what they seem to
say and re intended to mock or deride.
• Hyperbole- massive exaggeration.
• It is the opposite of a hyperbole because a hyperbole is an
exaggeration while a litotes is an understatement.

Understatement:
A figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally
make a situation seem less important than it really is
• Usually has an ironic effect
• An equally intense response is expected in severe situations
• The statement in response is the opposite of what was expected
Common examples:

Examples in literature:
Synecdoche
A term applied to a word or expression used to refer to something of
which it is a part.
Examples:
• His mother gave him a new set of wheels for Christmas
• car = wheels + other stuff, such as an engine and doors and a
battery
• Give us this day our daily bread
• food = bread + chocolate - and/or other nutritious edibles, or
not.
• All hands-on deck
• hands = hands + bodies, meaning: people)
Example in literature: