Hyperbaton
Definition:
A hyperbaton is a literary device wherein the author plays with the regular positioning of words and phrases and creates a differently structured sentence to convey the same meaning. It is said that by using a hyperbaton, words/ phrases overstep their conventional placements and result in a more complex and intriguing sentence structure. This literary device is used to add more depth and interest to the sentence structure.
Example:
“Alone he walked on the cold, lonely roads”. This sentence is a variation of the more conventional, “He walked alone on the cold, lonely roads”.
Comments
9 comments postedI love this website!! my writing class requires journals with every book and in the journals u have to have literary devices!!
My poetry class requires that we know the literary devices, use them in our writing AND present the pieces we write in front of the class as well as for video that the whole world can see. But as poets and spoken word artists it comes with the territory. :-)
Is there a definable difference (between hyperbaton and inversion)?
Thanks
Yes there is a difference. Hyperbaton is for everyday speech and writing, such as characters talking, novels, short stories, etc.
Inversion is only for poetry.
What's the difference between Hyperbaton and Circimlocution??
Hyperbaton doesn't actually increase the length of a phrase at all. It just changes the words around a bit.
Cirumlotion lengthens the sentence on purpose using long wording and stuff
anything Yoda says...
Good one, LOL that is SO TRUE :)
That's a perfect example, since Yoda always flips around the sentence structure of his thoughts.
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