Litotes By Nicole Schumacher Definition The deliberate use
Litotes By: Nicole Schumacher
Definition • The deliberate use of understatement, not to deceive someone but to enhance the impressiveness of what we say.
In simpler words? • Litotes usually describe what something is not. • Litotes are easily made by using a double negative. • Instead of saying something is attractive, you could say something is not unattractive.
Example 1: • “He was not unfamiliar with the works of Mark Twain. ” • Shows that he is in fact familiar with the works of Mark Twain.
Example 2: • “I was not a little upset” • When in fact you mean you were very upset.
Example 3: • “It isn’t very serious. I have the tiny little tumor on the brain”-J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye • Understating the seriousness of a tumor and its size on the brain.
Example 4: • "Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever”- Frederick Douglass • Shows that freedom is being materialized.
Mnemonics • Litotes could be read as “Light Out, ” to consider night time a light out would be an example of litotes. • Litotes -> Toes -> Under your body -> Understatement
Video • 2: 05 to 2: 50 • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Bhbd 9 Z 1 o. VS 0
Works Cited "Examples Of Litotes. " Litotes Examples -. N. p. , n. d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. "Litotes and Chiasmus Movie. " You. Tube, 06 Mar. 2012. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
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