Figures of Arrangement Vocabulary

a series of three parallel elements

“Veni, vidi, vici—Caesar's tricolon.”

Origin: Greek `trikolon` (three-membered), from `tri-` (three) + `kolon` (member, clause)

parallel structures of equal length and rhythm

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Origin: Greek `isocolon` (of equal members), from `isos` (equal) + `kolon` (member)

arranging ideas in order of increasing importance

“I came, I saw, I conquered—building to the climax.”

Origin: Greek `klimax` (ladder), from `klinein` (to lean, slope)

a disappointing decline after a buildup

“For God, for country, and for Yale—anticlimax through bathos.”

Origin: Greek `anti-` (against) + `klimax` (ladder)

omitting conjunctions for speed and impact

“I came, I saw, I conquered—asyndeton removes 'and.'”

Origin: Greek `asyndeton` (unconnected), from `a-` (without) + `syndein` (to bind together)

using many conjunctions for emphasis

“And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew.”

Origin: Greek `polysyndeton` (much connected), from `poly-` (many) + `syndein` (to bind)

using one word to govern several others in different senses

“She lowered her standards and her neckline.”

Origin: Greek `zeugma` (a yoking), from `zeugnynai` (to yoke)

emphasizing something by claiming to pass over it

“I won't even mention his criminal record.”

Origin: Greek `paraleipsis` (passing over), from `para-` (beside) + `leipein` (to leave)

asking a question then immediately answering it

“What makes a great leader? Vision, courage, and humility.”

Origin: Greek `hypophora` (carrying under), from `hypo-` (under) + `pherein` (to carry)